Item Description
Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. This is a wonderful uniform grouping that comes in near “ready to display” shape, all you need is a pair of boots and you will already have a lovely display. The grouping consists of a uniform set, helmet, gasmask and leg wraps.
The 29th Division was first constituted on paper on 18 July 1917, three months after the American entry into World War I, in the U.S. Army National Guard. Troops came from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
As the division was composed of men from states that had units that fought for both the North and South during the American Civil War, it was nicknamed the "Blue and Gray" division, after the blue uniforms of the Union and the gray uniforms of the Confederate armies. The division was organized as a unit on 25 August 1917 at Camp McClellan, Alabama. In January 1918, the Delaware units were relieved from assignment to the division.
The Items In This Lot:
- M1916 Cotton Uniform Set: The set is in wonderful condition with minor staining and tearing. The left shoulder features a lovely blue and gray yin-yang patch. The lower left cuff has a single overseas chevron with a red discharge chevron below the shoulder sleeve insignia. The right shoulder has a lovely Sergeants’ chevron.
- British Made M1917 Doughboy Helmet by Thomas Firth & Sons Ltd of Sheffield (Complete): When America was drawn into the European conflict it possessed no steel helmets of its own. They looked to other nations for ideas and selected the British helmet as the most suitable. Britain supplied about half a million helmets to the Americans before production of an American version was started in the U.S.
The heat stamp on the underside of the rim is FKS 7, a nice and low lot number. This is the typical marking for Thomas Firth & Sons Ltd of Sheffield. The heat stamp and the split rivets on the chinstrap bales are a solid indication and a good reference point for identifying British made helmets for American use during the Great War. The shell and complete liner are in solid condition.
- Overseas Cap: The cap is in lovely condition and still retains the “US” disc towards the front.
- M1917 SBR Gas Mask: This is a very nice example of an M1917 SBR Gas Mask in size 3 complete with mask, filter, carry satchel, and has writing on the satchel which made it possible to identify. The mask is in a very delicate condition, as most examples found today are.
There are some missing pieces, tears in the fabric and both lenses are cracked and darkened. The mask definitely has a very worn, “salty” look to it, one that was definitely worn in a combat zone.
The last items consist of pictures that may have been added to the grouping as well as a pair of wool leg wraps.
A lovely grouping that comes more than ready for further research and display.
Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 22”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5”
Chest width: 18"
Waist width: 15"
Hip width: 20"
Front length: 29"
Pants:
Waist: 16.5"
Inseam: 25"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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