WWI Sunset Insignia Patch Indentification

[RT Ellis]

The conventional opinion regarding the shoulder sleeve insignia (patches) is that those assembled from component parts, as is the SSI you provided an image of, were the first to be manufactured and worn. The gold lace "rays" were also used in other applications. I'd say that SSI is intended to represent the 41st (Infantry) Division, especially in connection with the other examples you have identified in the grouping. The embroidered SSIs came a little later and were manufactured by local shops, both in Europe and in the U.S.

The QMC component of the Services of Supply (SOS) operated a large factory and several depots that repaired clothing, shoes, and field equipment with sewing machines operated by soldiers or local women, that most likely manufactured some of these SSI. The image attached was the canvas and webbing department of the facility at Tours, Indre et Loire, France, photographed December 7, 1918.

Very few SSI were worn prior to the Armistice (which we just recognized although renamed veteran's day) so technically the advent of SSI was post war, but then the war emergency wasn't declared over until long after the Armistice.

Thanks for using the term jacket instead of tunic, although the garment you have was officially a coat.