Original Items: Only One Available. This is a tremendous example of the sought-after M1902 uniform, often called the most beautiful uniform that the U.S. Army ever wore. This example is complete with blue piping and a matching Aiguillette.

The first decade of the 20th century was a period of great change for the Army. During this period the office of the Chief of Staff was created, the militia act was modified leading to the creation of the National Guard, and a number of branches and departments were created or reorganized, including the Army Nurse Corps, and the reorganization of the Artillery into an Artillery Corps consisting of the Field Artillery and Coast Artillery. At the same time, the vast majority of troops were outside the country on occupation duty or containing the insurgency in the Philippines.

In the period following the Spanish American War the Army again took a hard look at its uniforms, accouterments and weapons. In 1902 a board was assembled in Washington, to review the Army's uniforms, and on July 17, 1902 the results of the board's deliberations were published as General Order No.81. This General Order made significant changes in how the Army looked.

Virtually every item of clothing was examined and most were redesigned. Blue was eliminated as a color for service dress, being replaced by olive drab and khaki. Leather items were changed from black to russet, new insignia was authorized, chevrons became smaller, and even new buttons were introduced in gilt for dress and bronze for the field. By the fall of 1902, the Quartermaster Department at Philadelphia began making the new uniforms, but the changes were not without controversy, extending even to the White House. How could the Army think of issuing new uniforms when there were stocks of the older pattern clothing still available and in serviceable condition? In 1903 a compromise decision was made in which the Artillery and Engineers serving in the United States would continue to receive and wear old pattern clothing until stocks were exhausted. In addition, old pattern trousers and khaki cotton service uniforms would continue to be issued (except those with branch colored facings) to all units.

This is an excellent example of the 1902 Army Infantry Uniform with blue piping, a full set of blue aiguillette or cords, and two Sergeant rates cross-stitched onto each sleeve. The aiguillette is in rough shape with the attachment loop having broken off, so it is loose on the uniform. The collar is great but has no insignia. The jacket also bears a Service stripe on both sleeves, which to our knowledge denoted 4 years of prior service. All buttons are retained and there is little damage across the uniform outside of scattered mothing.

This is a great scarce M1902 uniform ready for further research and display!

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 26”
Shoulder to shoulder: 14"
Chest width: 17”
Waist: 16"
Hip width: 17"
Front length: 31"