My Collection- United States Marine Corps

[gi-rene]

Same deal as before. This will be shorter because most of the Marine gear is repeat of Army gear and I don't have all of the Marine specific gear. I have a finished basic impression and will eventually pickup the late war Marine things.

Portraying a Marine Corporal of the 4th Marine Division (though we also aim to cover all PTO). You will notice there are less pictures than there are pieces of gear because of my "recycling".

4th Marine Division
Jacket, Utility, M1941 (r)
Trousers, Utility, M1941 (1st Pattern) (r)
Cap, Field, Cotton, OD With Visor (more than likely I will punch a hole put a screwpost EGA in and it'll be a dedicated Marine Cap) (r)
Belt, Cartridge, Cal .30, M1923 dismounted, Army Issue (o)
Belt, Cartridge, Cal .30, M1923 dismounted, Army Issue (r)
Cover, Canteen, Dismounted, M1910, Army Issue (o)
Canteen,Stainless steel (1943) (o)
Cup, Stainless Steel (1944) (o)
Poncho, 2nd Pattern (Feb 1 1945) (o)
Pouch, First-aid Packet, M1924, Army Issue (o)
First Aid Packet, Carlisle Model (o)
M1941 Pack with Straps (r)
Helmet, Steel, M1 (1943+) (o)
Liner, Helmet M1, New Type (1943) (o)
Cover, Helmet, Camouflage, Reversible, 1st Pattern (r)
Jacket, Field, OD (2nd Pattern, Army Issue for late war) (r)
Carrier, Shovel, Entrenching M1910 (Marine) (r)
Shovel, Entrenching M1910 (r)
Fingerless Gloves, Civilian Made (t)
Shoes, Service, Reverse upper (r) (Boondockers were the same but with cork added into the sole, no repro company does that so...)
Bayonet, M1 (o)
Scabbard, Bayonet, M7 (o)
Leggings (r)
Garrison Cap, Khaki (o)
Helmet, Summer, Aviator's M-450 (r)
Goggles, Aviator's AN-6530 (r)
TH-37 headset with cord (non-functioning) (r)
Naval Mk1 Life Vest (Mae West) (Non-functioning) (r)
Navy M-425A Flight Suit (r)

[gi-rene]

1st Pattern Helmet Cover with Brown side out. The 2nd Patterns had holes cut for the bails as well as foilage holes.

[gi-rene]

Seen this before? You probably have. This is my Army HBT cap with a hole punched in the center seem for mounting a service coat screwpost Eagle Globe and Anchor to make it a Marine cap. If you see the ones with the silk screened print of the Eagle Globe and Anchor thats the M44 Cap which really didn't pop up until the very end of the war. Otherwise they wore the Utility Cap (an Army HBT cap essentially) and either kept it bare, put screwpost insignia on it or drew it on.

[gi-rene]

These are the M1941 Utilities that popped up on Guadal after the first resupply. Prior to that Marines were wearing either their Winter Service Uniform (Service Coat) as a cold weather field uniform or their Khaki Summer Service Uniforms as warm weather field uniforms. These are sage green and have been washed about 4 more times than my Army HBTs to help get them salty looking. I handwrote my name on one of the patch pockets as this was not a common practice but one that was done and I felt like individualizing it a bit. My trousers have my name across the seat. You can also see the US Marine Corps buttons. All are Reproduction from At the Front minus the EGA which is an unissued original.

[gi-rene]

782 Gear of the World War II Gyrene

That site does a much better job explaining the M1941 pack.

But my thoughts. Its ingeniously designed compared to the Army haversack. Yeah more straps and crud to deal with but it can carry more and you can easily drop the knapsack (bottom pack) and go with just the haversack as an "assault pack". The carrier has shorter hooks and no US unlike the army version (though I recycle my T-handle) The poncho is attached short wise since I realized I didn't get equipment straps to strap it long style to the pack (with the shelterhalf and bed roll). The pack and straps and etool carrier are all At the Front Repros.

[gi-rene]

My prized possession an original war poncho. I nabbed this for $90 at a gunshow when they are going for $150 at World War Two Impressions for repros. It has one minor little tear and its marked

Yes most ponchos had USN on them as the Navy had contracted them.

[gi-rene]

Before the gun show where we were recruiting and I nabbed all those goodies! I was going for mid to late war (hence sandy cover out). Ironically if you look into it. WW2 Marines are like Civil War Confederates, they were anti-fashion divas. untucked trousers, no leggings, leggings beneath tucked trousers, no undershirt, no utility coat, nothing on the upper body at all, torn dirty uniforms, new uniforms, torn and dirty uniforms with new uniforms... It goes on. But I need to get into a battle with this uniform to get it looking even remotely ratty.

[PanzerBob]

gi-rene, interesting and well presented, you give a good idea on what one must go through to practise this kind of history preservation. You obviously enjoy this as well. Thank you for your efforts. Sometimes it's tinyest tidbit of information that brings history to life. Like USN stamp on the USMC poncho or the lack of wide sizes in the German short boots (any idea why?)

[gi-rene]

I wish I knew. A few sites I found said they didn't, a few of the repro companies out there do make them in wides. But everyone told me to go with SS Room for high quality boots... without warning me. They stretch to fit thankfully. I'm assuming Soldaten probably did what I did, soaked them in water and wore them to stretch it out.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by gi-rene

I wish I knew. A few sites I found said they didn't, a few of the repro companies out there do make them in wides. But everyone told me to go with SS Room for high quality boots... without warning me. They stretch to fit thankfully. I'm assuming Soldaten probably did what I did, soaked them in water and wore them to stretch it out.

I have heard this before about the German boots. In fact, your Dad and I discussed this once.

Now, this not a joke but historical fact. To compensate for tight fits, the soldaten would urinate on their boots while wearing them, and frequently. This quickly softened the leather and they would form fit to the foot.

My uncle Kurt swore this worked and worked well. He told me so when I was about ten. Mutti never forgave him, because I tried it on my new Keds sneakers.