U.S. Uniforms 1880 to 1960

Under Construction

The Fatigue Blouse, 1879 to 1900

The fatigue blouse was the standard U.S. Military field service coat through the last half of 19th century. A medium weight wool with a polished cotton liner and internal breast pocket was the most common design. This style of coat was used well into the early 1900's until stocks were depleted.

The 1895 Un-Dress Coat

A unique and distinctive design that was used by Regular Army and State Volunteer forces. The design was standard from 1895 to 1936, when it was replaced by a new 1938 pattern dress coat. The fine Mohair trim used on this coat is a clear identifying feature. The coat was produced in Blue, normally used by the Regulars Army and in Black commonly seen used by Volunteer Units.

1883 Enlisted Infantry Dress Coat

The dress coat was specific coat worn on regular parades and special occasions. The facing on the collar, cuffs, and adornment at the lower back of the coat indicated branch of service. In this case the this wool coat features white facing, for Infantry and gold bullion embroidered Sergeant's chevrons as well as bullion Civil War service stripes. The coat is U.S.Q.M.D. , Phila. Depot marked and dated 1883. It is named to a Coy. D, 4th Infantry soldier, Max Moore.

1902 Enlisted Infantry Dress Coat

The 1902 pattern Dress Coat was a shorter coat then the earlier pre-1900 style. The elaborate aiguillettes became popular as an ornate way of displaying a soldier's branch of service. In this case the branch color for Infantry returned to Light Blue from White used on the 1880 pattern coats. The coat has Sergeant chevrons and the usual and difficult to fit Infantry Dress Cords. The coat is made by a Red Bank New Jersey company whose name is illegible.

The Coat, Service, Cotton, Wool 1902 to 1918

In 1902 the U.S. Army undertook a program of modernizing the uniforms issued to troops. Since the campaign in the Philippines and Cuba were still underway the Tropical, or Summer Uniform was the first to draw attention. In General Order No. 81 dated July 17, 1902, the summer uniform was changed to cotton or light canvas coat with dull bronze finished buttons (Rimless), a rolled falling open collar, flat choked bellows pockets. The coat was made of 7.5 to 8 oz. cotton fabric and also feature peaked cuffs and cotton shoulder tabs.

In December 1906 the design was further changed to incorporate full side bellow pockets, cut out tail on the back of the coat and a folded over standing collar. This same pattern was also made in an olive drab wool. The majority of this uniform coat design was issued to the Department of Hawaii through the San Francisco Depot after adoption of the M1912 pattern coat.

Under Specification No. 1126, dated August 1911 the coat was substantially changed. This included 4 patch pocket rather then the bellows pockets, plain cuffs with two rows of stitching three inches from the bottom of the sleeve, and a new style standing collar, some of which were fitted with button holes for collar devices. The design was strengthened with double stitched seams and were constructed of an olive drab 6.5 to 7 oz. cotton material. A wool pattern was also made that was fully lined with a interior pockets, rear cut out eliminated and flat patch pockets on the exterior. Initial variants were made in a light olive drab or tan wool, while later ones were olive drab only.

The standard pattern issued to troops destined for overseas service was known by many designation such as the 1910, 1912, 1916, and 1917 The standard pattern differed from previous variants by being made of a coarser wool, plain cuffs, flat patch pockets and sometimes being of mixed material as these coast were generally made by independent seamstresses who were supplied with precut coat material.

In August of 1918 the Pershing Type wool coat was introduced. This followed the previous patterns though the external patch pockets were removed and were hung internally and made of cotton. The pockets were accessible through slits in the front of the coat that were covered by pocket flaps as in earlier variants. More double stitching was also use to strengthen certain weak areas of the coat.

1906 Pattern Service Coats, Cotton and Wool

1912 Pattern Service Coats, Cotton and Wool

The Service Coat, Wool, Enlisted, M1926

The Wool Service coat had been issued to troops since before World War One and has undergone several modifications to make it a suitable field service coat. In 1924 the U.S. Army and Air Force adopted a variant of the coat that eliminated the standing collar and incorporated an open lapel design. The coat was intended as a field service coat even though it had many shortcomings. Eventually it was designated the Winter Service coat, which allowed it to be buttoned closed to the neck, then worn with the open lapel when not in the field. Officially, in Quartermaster Specifications, it had been assigned the QMC Tentative Specification of No. 8-31 Coats, Wool, Service, EM, M-1926 in 1926 with subsequent modifications indicated by the addition of letter after the Specification number. The last modification came in 1940 under QM. Tent. Spec. No. 8-31 D dated 07/02/1940 and was listed as Coats, Serge Wool, Service, Enlisted Man’s M-1939. The final version of the coat appeared in 1942 as Coats, Wool, Service, M-1942, QMC Spec. Tent. PQD No.197, dated. 07/10/1942.

The Field Jacket, U.S. Army, 1938 to 1942

M1942 Paratrooper Uniform (Jump)

The Paratrooper jump uniform was developed in 1940-41 as a special purpose suit for the new airborne arm of the Army infantry. Test Officer LTC William Pelham Yarborough of the Provisional Parachute Group, designed the paratrooper's boot, the paratrooper's uniform in 1941 as well as the parachutist's qualification badge. Several of the first officers in the paratroops also collaborated with the War department to help design the garment. The jump uniform was made from 8 oz. cotton twill. This fabric is also used for the shells of tankers, Arctic M41's, some Mackinaws and a handful of M41 Field jackets. The color was olive drab no. 3, which is often referred to as "khaki". The actual color varies widely from uniform to uniform- it ranges from grass stain green to a golden tan.

The jacket has 4 angled pockets- the lower ones being slightly larger than those on the breast. Small pockets for pens or pencils are provided inside the breast pockets. At the throat, a small pocket is built into the placket to hold a switchblade style pocket-knife. In case of being entangled in his parachute harness or suspension lines, this location would be accessible from either right or left side as the hip or jacket pockets woudl be covered by the parachute harness. Four air vents are provided in the armpits- early jackets used sewn eyelets while later ones tend to use metal grommets like HBT caps.

The Paratrooper jump trousers were very similar in cut to today's BDU trousers. The shell was the same 8 oz. twill as the jacket and the pocketing was white, unbleached twill or poplin. Belt loops and buttons for suspenders were provided. On each hip was a large cargo pocket with a bellows. Two slash pockets were provided at the waist and two on the rear- the left one being the only one secured with a button. Early production jump trousers had a V-shaped panel of wool knit at the cuff to facilitate tucking them into jump boots. Later trousers dispensed with this feature and had a simple, slightly tapered ankle with binding.

The paratrooper jump uniform was in production for a little over a year (1942 to 1943), during which time deficiencies were encountered. There are modified versions of the coat and trousers that had reinforced pockets. The 8 oz. twill was found to be adequate for the body of the jacket though the pockets did have a tendency to tear open upon landing. The M1942 was replaced by teh M1943 field jacket, yet meny paratroopers kept the M1942

M1942 Coat Details

M1942 Trousers, Paratrooper, Jump

U.S. Army Field Jacket M-1943

Between 1938 and 1942 there were a large number of specialized uniforms intended for unique campaign duty. The complexity of this vast array of uniform types had the effect of complicating the storage, and distribution of these articles of clothing. The office of the Quartermaster Corps (OQMC) launched a research program in 1942 that would address this and lead to the development of a standardized uniform. As a result of this research important points were noted that eventually were used in the production of a new uniform. To paraphrase, the new uniform would be suitable for all climates experienced in combat zones, it would have sufficient pocket space to carry immediate material for a day in combat and was to be resistant and trim in appearance and fit. This new outfit, the M1943 consisted of very basic elements, including a Jacket, jacket hood and cotton trousers. In addition to this it also included a Cape with visor, cap and wool field trousers worn under the cotton outer trousers. The jacket, hood and trousers were made of a waterproof satin cotton of 9 oz per yard, the jacket was fitted with four pockets all of which were dyed in Olive Drab No. 7 color. The first M-1943 type combat field jacket was created in May 1943 and its form remains identical to all version that followed with minor variations. It was assigned the QMC Tentative Specification PQD No. 370 of May 29^th 1943 and was officially adopted on June 30^th, 1943 then standardized on August 12^th, 1943. Although it took through the middle of 1944 till it was distributed to troops in the field. Any troops embarking for Europe during this time were issued this coat as well.

M1943, MQ-1 Field Jacket

At the end of World War Two all contracts for Field jackets were cancelled as production of early to mid 1945 was substantial. The last contract for the M1943 jacket was issued in September and the Quartermaster ended upon with a huge stock of jackets that were issued and further refined to incorporate internal buttons for the Jacket Liner. Since this was an added feature and new jacket Specification was approved and new jackets began production under No. 6-370 dated October 3, 1947. This new jacket, M1943 MQ-1 continued in production until being replace by the M1950 variation.

United States Air Force Uniforms, 1950 to Current

At the end of World War Two, the U.S. Army Air Force had suggested they become a separate entity from the U.S Army United States Army. After considerable discussion this re-assignment was approved by the War Department this forming the United States Air Force, which is still in existence today. In order to provide a unique identity the color of the uniforms were changed from the olive Drab of the U.S. Army to a distinctive Medium Blue known as Blue-84. This change occurred in 1948 and all service uniforms were immediately being contracted and produced in the new color scheme. In addition the Flight Uniforms were also changed from the Olive Green to a deep Royal Blue. See the United State Air Force page for more interesting artifacts.