Posted 12 years ago
tlmbaran
(136 items)
My latest find. I found it interesting that this soldier was wearing 2 sets of collar discs. He is also wearing the M1902 wool tunic with fold down collar, and has the M1902 "rimless Eagle" buttons. Post card is not dated, how ever, it does I'd the Soldier who belongs to the 17th Infantry.
I found this information regarding the two sets of collar discs on the uniform:
On October 8, 1907 the War Department issued Circular No. 68 that described new insignia to be worn on the standing collars of enlisted men's service uniforms. These were to have been two pairs of one inch bronze disks. On each side of the collar there was a pair, one bearing the letters U.S. and the other the branch of service. The insignia were attached by a threaded post and thumb screw nut. Older enlisted insignia that were in use were cut out emblems of the service branch similar to officer's collar insignia. The edges of the cut out insignia snagged on brush and the insignia came loose. The pins frequently broke on these and it was hoped that these new disks would be nearly indestructible. A second circular No. 78 of November 17, 1909 delayed the implementation to July 1, 1910. Not long afterward the decision was made that each soldier would wear a total of two disks rather than four with the right one being the U.S. and the left one being the branch. Certain of the disks included the regiment number and company letter on the face. The earliest of these disks are referred to as Type I disks. This type was in use from 1910-1924 and was the type used during the First World War. They have a background pattern that was plain or may be dots, cross-hatches, diamonds, etc. but these were manufacture variations and have no major significance.
Interesting collar insignia on this guy!
I have seen it before a couple of times but didn't know the story.
Thanks for sharing it and the information on its use.
scott
Thanks for all that GREAT information. Its amazing what came from this post card! And yes, I do believe its the same man, this is no doubt a boot camp photo of him, time period is correct for his age, where he spent several years as an enlisted man, then became an Officer in time for WWI.....
Fantastic info! THANKS AR8Jason!!
You are correct. the photo is a member of the 17th U.S. Infantry. Based on the writing on the back side of the post card say that he was assigned to the Medical Detachment, 17th U.S. Infantry Regiment. The 17th was stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia from August 1905 until Mar 1914.