How to ID an Army soldier during the SAW

[A. F Medic]

Sorry I could not make the writing larger on the bottom without another image. They can be copied and expanded with Internet Explorer or something like that.

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From Leslie's SAW 1899

[Jim K]

Some time back, I was taken to task for saying that the U.S. Army at one time used spiked helmets, an item of dress commonly associated (due to WWI British propaganda) with the German army. It is interesting to note not only the spiked helmets, but also pith helmets, another item not normally associated with the U.S. Army. (In all armies, the helmet "spike" was thin brass, so drawings of Germans driving their "spikes" into innocent women and children were propaganda fantasy.)

Jim

[wayne10]

We have identified many soldiers and their rifles from the Span Am War. Usually by serial number of rifle, unit and other data. We have not tried to match unit insignias. The Army museums have provided us with great photos and unit histories.
SRS has one Winchester Lee with ship photos, Medal of Honor winners and details of battles and use after the war.
This subject would add greatly to an already lettered weapon from the SAW. Sounds like an excellent project.
Thanks for the topic information.

editor: US Martial Arms Collector & SRS Newsletter

[A. F Medic]

If anybody would like high resoution images of these pictures, please email me with subject or left me know here. I will gladly send the above. I have not read the whole book yet as it is so large!

[John Sukey]

Post 1870 a U.S. Military attache in Paris was almost attacked while riding in a carriage because he was mistaken for a German:D

The interesting helmets were those of the Indian Scouts. The plumes were red and white and LONGER than those of other branches (artillery, cavalry)

Oh by the way, after the uniform change in 1902, the coast artillery were the last to get rid of the spiked helmets carrying on for a couple of more years.

I am always amused by the hollywierd movies showing soldiers walking around the fort and standing guard mount in field gear. WRONG! Garrison dress was a five button blouse and kepi. Guard mount was done in FULL DRESS .
Ft. Bowie is in the middle of NOWHERE Arizona:D However in the 1880's an inspector wrote up two soldiers for not having their regimental number on the eagle plate of their full dress helmets. Oh yeah, Ft.Bowie did have an ICEHOUSE.

At one time there were a number of buildings left until the locals took the building material. Years later, when only the foundations were left, the Forest Service installed a flagpole and a guy in a smokey bear hat.

Why we went to spiked helmets? Prior to 1870 the French were the premier military European power so all our uniforms were influenced by them. Odd thing happened around 1870, the Germans kicked the snot out of the French and the U.S. Army uniforms then adopted a germanic look;)