WWI USMC Pattern 1917 Tunic Corporal 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment
Item #: WR1679
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This is a United States Marine Corps Pattern 1917 winter tunic from World War I. This forest green, wool, 5 button tunic is in fantastic condition! Almost all the stitching is tight and unbroken. There are two spots where the stitching is broken on the right side, both on the back seam by the sleeve. One area is about 1" in length at the sleeve and the other is about 2" in length just below the sleeve. There is no moth damage, stains, rips, tears or any other damage on the tunic. The original WWI Marine Corps eagle and anchor buttons are found on the front of the tunic. The four pockets, as well as the shoulder epaulettes, have the smaller eagle and anchor buttons with the exception of lower left pocket. There are two Marine Corps collar disks, both authorized for wear between 1918 and 1919 on the collar. The epaulettes have the crossed stitching at the shoulder seam, identifying this tunic as being an enlisted mans uniform. The lining of the body is polished cotton material green in color, while the sleeve linings are of an off white color. The left sleeve lining is ink stamped in three lines. The top one is Quartermaster's Dep't/U.S. Marine Corps/1917-1918. The second is 5-M and the third reads Quartermaster's Dept. U. S. Marine Corps/1922-23. The right sleeve lining has no ink stamps or markings of any kind. The stitching on the right sleeve is broken in two places. The left sleeve has a 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division patch sewn on at the shoulder seam. The origin of the patch is attributed to the 2nd Supply Trains, 2nd Division, when it was reportedly seen painted on one of the unit's trucks. The official acceptance of the Indian head on star design came when General Headquarters, AEF, required the Commanding Generals of all combat divisions to select a Divisional patch. On 21 October, 1918, Major General John Lejeune, USMC, the commanding officer of the 2nd Division, selected the Star and Indian Head as the official Division insignia. In November, 1918 an order directed that certain shapes and colors would designate the many different 2nd Division units. The square patch was chosen to represent the 5th regiment, while the color red represented the 1st battalion. This beautiful patch with the White Star and Indian Head with 1/5 Marine background is drop dead gorgeous! The construction and material of the patch suggests this one was probably made overseas. In addition to the unit patch, the chevrons of a Corporal and two overseas stripes are also sewn on the left sleeve. The overseas stripes indicate 12 months of overseas service. Pinned above the left breast pocket are a WWI French Croix de guerre ribbon, a World War I Victory medal ribbon and a WWI Occupation Medal ribbon. Below the ribbons is an expert rifleman' badge, pinned just above the pocket flap. A French Fourragere is worn around the left shoulder, an award from the French government for the Marines heroism at Belleau Woods to Chateau-Thierry. A post WWI overseas cap comes with the tunic. There is no name in the tunic. The brown leather sweatband is intact and shows practically no wear. The size tag indicates this one is a 7 1/8. The EGA cap insignia is from the WWI period. If you collect WWI uniforms, especially USMC uniforms, this one needs no upgrade!
Shipping Weight:
3 lbs
Your Price $750.00 USD
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