Wool Service Uniforms

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The wool service uniform is the attire worn extensively by soldiers in France. Pictured on this page are just a few of the variations encountered by collectors. Many soldiers disliked the close fitting collar of the wool service coats. When worn for long periods, the tight, coarse, itchy collar could be irritating. To solve this problem, enlisted men and officers alike would wear their shirt collar over the coat collar.

M1912 Wool Service Coat M1912 Wool Service Coat Cuff
Wool Service Coat, modified 1907 pattern, post 1912

Prior to 1910, the wool service coat of the 1907 pattern had a standing/ falling collar and four bellows pockets. The coat also had distinctive pointed stitching on the cuffs. Uniform specifications were changed after 1912 and the falling collar and bellows pockets were replaced by the standing collar and plain patch pockets. The pointed stitching on the cuffs were retained, until the 1912 pattern became the standard uniform.

This coat is a post 1912 coat with rimless eagle buttons and the pointed cuff stitching. Holes were punched in the collar for collar disks. The coat also bears a Philadelphia Depot contract tag, dated 1910, sewn to the cotton lining.

1912 Wool Service Coat M1912 Wool Service Coat Cuff
1912 Wool Service Coat

This coat has a contract date of April 1917, one of the first contracts awarded to uniform the many soldiers who would soon fill the ranks of the AEF. Collectors often refer to this variation as the 1912 which is distinguished by two rows of stitching on the cuff.


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