Memorabilia

• This lot features an AEF 21st Engineers Uniform from World War I, complete with an ID tag and a Victory Medal.
• The enlisted issue M1912 olive drab wool service coat is adorned with "US / 21" and Engineer discs, a Sergeant First Class of Engineers rank chevron, two overseas service chevrons, an honorable discharge chevron, and a 1st Army Engineers shoulder insignia.
• The left chest displays a US WWI Victory Medal with St. Mihiel and Defensive Sector clasps.
• The interior is marked "M Jackson" in purple laundry pen.
• The set includes breeches and an ID tag from "S.F. CAHILL / HQ DET / 21 ENGRS."

Research indicates that Sylvester F. Cahill was from the Bay Area of California, but was listed as a Private in transport records, suggesting the uniform was not originally his. The Victory Medal is plausible for the 21st Engineers, eligible for St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne, but likely added later. The components are original but a

WWI US Army 80th Division 314th MG Bn. Soldier's Coat & Painted Helmet with Variant Insignia

 Olive drab cotton summer issue service coat has collar with grommets but discs not currently in place.  Left shoulder has two-piece red and white wool divided disc insignia, and left cuff has a single overseas service chevron.  No name, initials, or inscription inside the coat.  US M1917 helmet has the same painted insignia on the front; interior has broken chinstrap, lacks liner.  Includes a Red Cross gift bag inscribed "Pvt. W.M. Gohn / 314 M.G. Bn. / Co. A".

A search of the US Army Transport Service records from WWI show that there is only one "Gohn" that would match these initials, and conveniently he is listed as a Private in Co. A, 314th Machine Gun Battalion.  Private Waldo M. Gohn listed his wife Ruth Gohn as his contact, and an address in Johnstown, PA.  

The 314th MG Bn. insignia is normally represented as a red and white divided shield.  This is more analogous to the blue and gray 29th Division insignia, but clearly makes sense as a variant for the 314th.

$100 - $200

WWI US Army Enlisted Uniform Lot: 1st Army Artillery & Motor Transport Corps (variant)

First is a very nice officer quality enlisted private purchase tailored dark olive drab wool coat and breeches; coat has "US" and Artillery discs, one overseas service chevron, and a 1st Army Artillery shoulder insignia.  Includes matching breeches.  Interior of the coat has a retailer label, but no name or identification.  Nice set with no readily apparent mothing.  

Second is an enlisted issue 1917 pattern olive drab wool service coat has "US" and Motor Transport Corps collar discs, one overseas service chevron, honorable discharge chevron, and a variant MTC shoulder insignia in which the "C" takes the shape of a sideways stirrup.  Interior has initials "CR" on the lining.  No readily apparent mothing.  

$100 - $200

WWI US Army Enlisted Overcoats: Lot of Three

Lot of three US 1917 pattern enlisted issue olive drab wool overcoats.  These demonstrate the variety of OD wool shades in use, ranging from 'mustard khaki' on the one to a very deep, dark olive on another.  Dark example is missing a few buttons and has several minor moth bites.  The 'mustard khaki' example has some stains but is complete with all buttons.  Third example has a few very minor moth bites, quite nice overall. 

$100 - $150

WWI US Army Chemical Corps Officer's Uniform

Private purchase light olive drab wool twill uniform; coat has "US" and Chemical Corps officer's bronze collar devices, one overseas service chevron, and Chemical Corps shoulder sleeve insignia comprised of wool applied diagonally bisected cobalt blue and yellow shield.  Coat has a couple of inconspicuous pinhead moth bites; nice overall.  Matching breeches have a few scattered bites, stains, wear along pocket edges and are missing a button.  No name or initials, but a good original Chemical Corps officer set, and that is not something that we see very often! 

$200 - $300

Two US WWI Army Enlisted Uniforms: Liffel Le Grand Railhead & Aviation

Enlisted olive drab cotton M1912 summer issue uniform has US and Engineer discs, Corporal rank chevron, two overseas service chevrons, honorable discharge chevron, and Liffel Le Grand Railhead shoulder insignia with bullion "R" designation.   If the bullion was originally gold (rather than the tarnished silver as it appears to be), this would be Treves railhead.  Pocket contains a photocopy of a discharge for Corporal Frank Whitley, 18th Company, Transportation Corps. This is confirmed in Fold3, where he is listed among passengers from 18th Co, TC / 14th Grand Division upon his return to the US. Interior of the coat has purple ink inscription with his name, rank, and Co. B, 31st Eng. / 2nd Co. 14th G.D. T.C. / Joliet Illinois."  

Enlisted olive drab wool M1912 uniform has "US" and Aviation collar discs, enlisted aviator wing badge on the right sleeve, one overseas service chevron, and honorable discharge chevron.  No name or ID.  These enlisted aviator wings are something that I frankly just always assume to be incorrect, as there were precious few of these enlisted pilots to begin with.. but plenty of wings in circulation.  On a Private's uniform, I honestly just don't believe it.  That said, the wing is at least plausible (it looks more plausible than the one we had years ago directly from the J. Duncan Campbell collection, actually.)  As far as guaranteeing the wing to be of the period - we are not.  Selling this one as a put-together uniform with a great looking, but likely reproduction wing.  If we are wrong, then then that is to your benefit!

$200 - $300

Imperial German Prussian Jäger Officer's Dunkelgrün Waffenrock & Dienstmütze

Jäger dark green wool waffenrock has red wool standing collar, front edge piping, and Swedish cuffs, with tombac buttons.  Shoulders have bullion loops for officer's shoulder boards which are not present.  Interior has a dark green / black silk lining with internal waistbelt and one interior breast pocket.  The former owner has added a six award medal bar for display which includes a Bavarian Military Merit Cross and1914 Iron Cross Second Class.  Coat remains in good condition overall with light wear and just a few small holes.  Nicer still is the visor cap: Jäger dunkelgrün wool cap with red band and piping, has Reich and Prussian officer cockades and a black Vulkanfiber visor with white interior.  Interior of the hat has cream colored thin leather sweatband which is significantly discolored, quite possibly from long contact with a non-archival display head.  Body and crown are lined in white watered silk, with an amber celluloid crown protector that is fractured in the center.  Cap exterior is nice, with one stain on the band and no readily apparent mothing.  

$500 - $600

Imperial German Model 1915 Field Gray 'Bluse'

Feldgrau wool enlisted issue bluse has green abzeichentuch 'insignia cloth' collar, concealed button front closure with gray horn buttons, inset side pockets close with field gray painted crown buttons, and the sleeves have unaltered original barrel cuffs.  Reverse has skirt vent; side hooks and back button hooks are correctly in place.  Shoulders have Telegrapher straps that are original but may be collector additions.  Interior has very nice field gray cotton twill lining with faint size block stamp, maker stamp, and what appears to be an "18" dated 10th Corps bekleidungsamt stamp.  Lining has the two interior pockets and wound dressing pocket in the skirt.  There are several sewn repairs and what appears to be carefully repaired mothing on the collar, and a small repaired hole in the center back just above the belt ramp buttons.  

The Model 1915 simplified field blouse (Bluse) marked a major change in German military dress during the First World War, reflecting wartime economies and evolving battlefield conditions. Introduced to replace the prewar 07/10 tunic, it was designed for faster production with fewer materials and simplified tailoring, eliminating piping, decorative cuffs, and other labor-intensive features. Constructed of field-grey wool with plain turnback cuffs and concealed buttons, the M1915 Bluse provided a more functional and less conspicuous garment suited to trench warfare. Period photographs show that the replacement of the 07/10 waffenrock was hit-or-miss, often with a mix of coat styles within the same unit.

$1500 - $2000

Imperial German WWI Steingrau Enlisted Issue Trousers

Steingrau wool issue trousers have red wool side seam piping, back adjustment belt, angled inset side pockets and watch pocket with attachment loop.  The fly and waistband buttons are a mixture of old replacements.  Interior has white cotton lining with a Tenth Army Corps bekleidungsamt stamp dated 1916, issue markings for the 10th Field Artillery regiment, and a soldier's personal property tag from the 10th Field Artillery Regiment.  The 10th (1st Hannover) Field Artillery Regiment was indeed conveniently assigned to the 10th Army Corps.

These show just a bit of light wear, remaining in excellent overall condition.  The condition and slightly larger than normal 10th Corps stamped marking necessitated a bit of extra due diligence, so we called in our old friend, former business partner, and noted Imperial collector Bill Combs to have a look.  Other than the replaced buttons, Bill was happy to address our questions and pronounce them to be exactly what we (and our consignor) hoped they would be: a good original pair of very scarce enlisted issue Imperial Steingrau trousers!

$1500 - $2000

British & Canadian WWI Uniform Lot: Costume House / Display Items

Mixed lot, includes original WWI Canadian issue trousers with a nice 1915 dated Toronto maker's stamp among numerous postwar costume house markings.  This set of trousers has numerous sewn repairs along the waistband suggesting that a waist adjustment strap has been removed, among other injuries and past size adjustments.  Other original items include an olive wool knit sweater vest and two pair of gray wool socks.  Pattern 07 service coat we believe to be a costume house piece from beginning to end, made with the double dart collar feature but without rifle patches.  One of the British general service buttons is hanging loose where the fabric has torn around the attachment point.  Interior has costume house stamped markings.  Lot further includes a pair of shoes that appear original to the period and look good for display as B5 boots, but it is our assessment that they are simply period 'trade boots' and not a pair of military issue shoes with spurious date and BroadArrow markings added to the soles.  They would be excellent candidates to use on a mannequin, leaving your good original pair of B5 boots for separate display.  Boots do not include laces. 

$100 - $200

This distinctive pattern coat was introduced during the war.  It differed from the issue greatcoats; shorter in length and featuring a double-breasted front closure.  This example has British general service buttons, of which two coat size and both epaulette buttons are missing.  It has clearly seen extensive service, as the back of the collar is thoroughly infused with the grime of the unwashed, though with the exception of a torn pocket corner the coat itself shows little damage.  Mostly just soil and pet hair, as it was clearly somebody's favorite sleepy spot at some point in the chain of custody (we did our best to remove as much of that as possible.)  Interior has a full-length off white wool flannel lining which is torn in several spots and heavily stained; has purple laundry pen name "PLATT" at the skirt and numerals in the upper portion.  The collar has become separated from the lining in several places due to weak stitching.  

Lot also includes an unlined khaki wool overcoat with British general service buttons; interior has combined white and light olive facings and pockets, marked with a New York costume company stamp.  $150 - $250

British WWI Pattern 07 Enlisted Service Jacket

Pattern 1907 khaki wool service dress jacket has five-button front closure with British general service buttons, "R.W.KENT" Royal West Kent Regiment metal shoulder titles on the epaulettes.  A pull or hole above each of these indicates that these titles were not the first insignia to be in place here.  The coat has the distinctive pre-1918 'double dart' construction feature under the collar.  Interior has drab cotton facings and lower pockets, with a faint laundry pen name on one of the pockets.  This shows light stains, wear and fading, with a sewn repair on the front face of the collar stand on one side.  There are a few small moth holes but nothing conspicuous or detractive.  A good British / Commonwealth P07 tunic. 

$200 - $400

British / Commonwealth WWI Mounted Soldier's Issue Breeches Lot

Includes two pair of the enlisted issue khaki wool breeches 'Pantaloons, Service Dress'  prescribed in regulations for all soldiers not on foot or in a kilted regiment.  First example is of khaki Bedford cloth, as originally prescribed when these were introduced in 1902, with the leather interior leg facings that were discontinued in 1907 and then resumed in 1914.  These have a mixture of replacement buttons, but appear to have always been set up for single point suspender brace attachment rather than the doubled arrangement that was adopted in 1915.  Example remains in very nice condition with just a few inconspicuous holes.  Interior waistband lining has an inked name.

Second example is of khaki wool cloth with self-fabric reinforced seat, cuffs with an interesting fabric billet and vest buckle attachment system.  Interior has natural cotton pocket and waistband lining with faint stamped markings.  These also appear to always have been set up for single brace buttons.  With the exception of one riveted replacement, all zinc utility buttons are retained. 

$150 - $250

Enlisted issue khaki wool breeches 'Pantaloons, Service Dress' have waist with doubled pairs of suspender buttons as was introduced in 1915, interior thighs with leather facing reinforcements, and olive green cotton drill sections at the end of each leg as was introduced in early 1918.  Interior has drab white cotton waistband and pockets, with BroadArrow issue stamp.  Leather is stained, and there is one large eraser size hole on the inseam but overall very nice condition.  These were prescribed in regulations for all soldiers not on foot or in a kilted regiment.  $200 - $300

British WWI 1918 Pattern Service Coat with Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry & Pioneer Insignia

Simplified 1918 pattern khaki wool service coat has brass strung horn insignias and "CORNWALL" titles on the epaulettes, Pioneer insignias on the collar, and British general service buttons.  Interior has khaki cotton pockets, olive and khaki cotton facings with a partially legible service number and purple laundry pen name inscription.  There are 'shadows' indicating where battle flash insignias were once on the center back and also on the arms, but have subsequently been removed. Shows normal light service wear, with a dime size moth hole in the left cuff and several more on the right skirt near the pocket and buttonstand; good condition overall.

$300 - $500

British WWI Pattern 07 Enlisted Service Jacket w/ Paper Label

Pattern 1907 khaki wool service dress jacket has five-button front closure with British general service buttons, no sign of collar insignias or shoulder titles ever having been installed. The coat has the distinctive pre-1918 'double dart' construction feature under the collar.  Interior has drab white cotton facings and lower pockets, with most of its paper label intact, though the date is not visible.  Light wear and a bit of light moth tracking, but no readily apparent holes or anything else detractive.  A very nice P07 coat! 

$300 - $500

British WWI Jerkin Lot

1915 pattern brown leather jerkin has three plain and one embossed knot leather covered buttons secured by rings on the interior; jerkin is lined in gray blanket wool with a large but illegible stamped marking on the base at the interior.  Leather shows stains and light wear but remains in very good pliable condition, with some stitching that has given way in places around the shoulder and collar.  

Lot further includes a heavy khaki cotton duck jerkin with visible but illegible BroadArrow stamp between the third and fourth buttonholes on the light olive blanket wool lining.  Buttons are leather covered metal, secured by rings on the interior.  Exterior shows stains; interior has a large worn hole in the bottom right corner of the lining.

US WWI jerkins are quite common, and post-war British Jerkins are as well, but the WWI British leather jerkin as easily distinguished from it's American cousin by the wide shoulders is nowhere near as easy to find!  $300 - $500

WWI British / Commonwealth Highland Troops Kilt & Uniform Coat Lot

Includes highland cut khaki wool service dress coat with Sergeant rank chevrons and British General Service buttons, stray stitches and pulls in the fabric indicate where additional insignia was once located above the chevrons.  Epaulettes are pierced where shoulder titles were once installed, but have been removed.  Interior has drab white cotton facings and pockets, slight traces show where a paper label was once attached.  The coat shows stains and normal wear, but no conspicuous mothing or anything detractive.

Second is a nice example of an issue kilt in Black Watch tartan, nicely marked with a soldier's name and date on the interior band "K.G. Frazier 6/5/15".  

Lot also includes a khaki cotton cover for wear over the kilt in the field.  This is BroadArrow marked on the interior side of the band.  It shows a few stains and small holes. 

$400 - $600

An officer's service coat from a premier unit in His Majesty's service.  Khaki olive wool twill open-lapel coat has subdued Captain rank pips on the epaulettes, Royal Welsh Fusiliers regimental buttons, and subdued regimental collar insignias.  Back of the collar features the black ribbon queue flash that is used solely by this unit.  Has several small holes in the back, a few more around the bottom buttonhole, and an area of (paint?) discoloration on the base of the right lower pocket and skirt.  No name or initials.

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers, one of the British Army’s most distinguished regiments, served with exceptional valor throughout the First World War. Comprising both Regular and Territorial battalions, the regiment fought in nearly every major theater of the conflict, including the Western Front, Gallipoli, and Mesopotamia. Their ranks included both seasoned professionals and wartime volunteers drawn from across Wales. At battles such as Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele, the Fusiliers endured appalling conditions yet maintained a steadfast reputation for discipline and courage.

$500 - $600

British WWI Somerset Light Infantry Soldier's Identified P07 Service Coat

British / Commonwealth Pattern 07 khaki wool five-button service coat has a partially legible soldier's service number, name, and unit "1/5 Somerset L.I." in purple laundry pen on the lower right interior pocket.  Coat has a short standing collar with the 'double-dart' feature, British General service buttons, three blue service chevrons, and Lance Corporal rank chevron.  Interior has a nearly complete paper label with maker and 1918 date.  This coat has Somerset Light Infantry shoulder titles that I believe likely to have been added to complete the coat for display, as they are of a quality inconsistent with original examples.  It also has a Somerset Light Infantry "JELLALABAD" stringed horn badge sewn to the center back as a formation sign, which may also be something added to complete the display.  Regardless of one's opinion of the titles and formation sign, this is an excellent example of a P07 coat, and I am fully confident that the ID inscription on the pocket is original and correct. 

$500 - $700

WWI British / Commonwealth Highland Troops Kilt & Uniform Coat Lot

Includes a nice Canadian made highland pattern khaki wool service dress jacket which has British general service buttons.  This shows signs of having once had shoulder titles, but no evidence of collar insignia remains.  Interior has a small bit of paper label remaining and the olive facings are marked with a C-BroadArrow stamp, as well as numerous post-war costume house markings.  A nice coat with just a few small holes.

Kilt remains in very nice condition, of Black Watch tartan, unmarked.  Includes a khaki cotton kilt apron for field service, which has stamped markings on the interior.  

Lot further includes a pair of gray wool knit hose tops, 1914 dated highland gaiters, a blue wool Glengarry dated 1915, and a Glengarry with Seaforth Highlanders badge.  This has normal wear along the edges and on the ribbon tail. 

$500 - $700

Regulation pattern light gray wool flannel pullover shirt has the blue and white striped standing collar introduced in August 1914. Bib front placket closes with tin utility buttons and a strip of white cotton at the base. Has a London costume house label sewn in the collar, BroadArrow stamp visible in the neck.  The 'grayback' shirt was standard issue in the British Army for many years before the war and continued in service throughout the conflict. Despite being issued in the hundreds of thousands, these very utilitarian shirts tended to be used until used up, with only a lucky few to be found in private collections or museums today. The gray issue shirt makes an enlisted 'Gor Blimey' cap appear almost common by comparison!  This excellent example appears to be unissued. $800-$1200

British WWI Issue Gray Flannel Shirt

Regulation pattern natural gray wool flannel pullover shirt has the blue and white striped standing collar introduced in August 1914. Bib front placket closes with tin utility buttons and a strip of white cotton at the base. Has maker's firm " STOLLERY, FIFIELD, & MANTLE" in the collar, The 'grayback' shirt and later war was standard issue in the British Army for many years before the war and continued in service throughout the conflict with the natural gray shade coming in to use later in the war. Despite being issued in the hundreds of thousands, these very utilitarian shirts tended to be used until used up, with only a lucky few to be found in private collections or museums today. The gray issue shirt makes an enlisted 'Gor Blimey' cap appear almost common by comparison!  This excellent example shows very little use.

$800-$1200

British WWI Rifle Brigade Soldier's Uniform Group with Issue Shirt

A nice extensive grouping with P07 service coat, greatcoat, issue trousers, and the very scarce 'grayback' issue shirt, though it survives with only with a former owner's notation that the soldier's identity was "R. Morgan".  

Pattern 07 service dress coat of khaki wool has the 'double-dart' construction feature between the collar and rifle patches, "RB" Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) Regiment shoulder titles, Lance Corporal rank chevrons, three (faded from blue to khaki) overseas service chevrons, and a well-worn pistol lanyard.  Interior has a mix of natural and drab canvas facings and pockets, with a good portion of the paper label remaining.  Issue trousers have the doubled suspender buttons used after June 1915, and are double-stitched at the pocket bases.  Interior white cotton lining has BroadArrow issue stamp in the waist.  His issue greatcoat includes features of the wartime produced 1902 pattern such as turnback cuffs, but omits the pocket interior tabs.  

The featured item, though is this regulation pattern light gray wool flannel pullover shirt with the blue and white striped standing collar introduced in August 1914. Bib front placket closes with tin utility buttons and a strip of white cotton at the base. The front remains nice, though there is a patch of moderate moth damage on the reverse.

Even without an ID or provenance, the similarity in soil and wear suggests the plausibility that the components of this set have been together since the war, and finding sets that still include the particularly scarce elements such as the issue shirt and trousers does add weight to that idea. 

$2500 - $3500

First example has a Royal Scots badge, red, white and blue diced band, nice black silk lining with gold embossed tailor label.  Has wear along the edges and lacks the ribbon tail.  Second has Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders badge, red and white diced band, black silk lining with no visible markings.  The other three examples are khaki wool with drab ribbons, leather edge binding and interior sweatbands.  Two have Toronto 1916 dated maker marks on the black linings; these show signs of having once had badges attached (which are no longer present), but are in overall very nice condition.  The third has a Canadian BroadArrow marking and is a bit rough with some scattered mothing and heavy wear on the ribbon tails.  $150-$200