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

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