Original Item. Only One Available. This is a nice example of the sought-after M1902 uniform, often called the most beautiful uniform that the U.S. Army ever wore. This example is complete with red piping and a matching Aiguillette.

The first decade of the 20th century was a period of great change for the Army. During this period the office of the Chief of Staff was created, the militia act was modified leading to the creation of the National Guard, and a number of branches and departments were created or reorganized, including the Army Nurse Corps, and the reorganization of the Artillery into an Artillery Corps consisting of the Field Artillery and Coast Artillery. At the same time, the vast majority of troops were outside the country on occupation duty or containing the insurgency in the Philippines.

In the period following the Spanish American War the Army again took a hard look at its uniforms, accouterments and weapons. In 1902 a board was assembled in Washington, to review the Army's uniforms, and on July 17, 1902 the results of the board's deliberations were published as General Order No.81. This General Order made significant changes in how the Army looked.

Virtually every item of clothing was examined and most were redesigned. Blue was eliminated as a color for service dress, being replaced by olive drab and khaki. Leather items were changed from black to russet, new insignia was authorized, chevrons became smaller, and even new buttons were introduced in gilt for dress and bronze for the field. By the fall of 1902, the Quartermaster Department at Philadelphia began making the new uniforms, but the changes were not without controversy, extending even to the White House. How could the Army think of issuing new uniforms when there were stocks of the older pattern clothing still available and in serviceable condition? In 1903 a compromise decision was made in which the Artillery and Engineers serving in the United States would continue to receive and wear old pattern clothing until stocks were exhausted. In addition, old pattern trousers and khaki cotton service uniforms would continue to be issued (except those with branch colored facings) to all units.

This is a very nice example of the 1902 Army Field Artillery Uniform with red piping, a full set of red aiguillette or cords, and collar insignia. The aiguillette is not placed on correctly and should be fixed. V There are gilt US Collar insignia and gilt Field Artillery Battery A collar insignia, but one of the two is attached with a wire as the original prongs must have broken off.

The uniform has great gilt Federal Eagle buttons, all marked for the Waterbury Button Co. of Connecticut. The interior shows a fully intact maker’s tag for W.A. Raymold of New York, which denotes it as a Sample example. That means the jacket was likely in the storefront window of the company, shown off during the 1902-1910 period as an example of his tailor work. The tag also shows all of the measurements, including Height 29, Sleeve 32, Chest 40, Waist 36, Seat 42, and Collar 16.

Ready for display.

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13.5"
Chest width: 17”
Waist: 16"
Hip: 21.5"
Front length: 29.5"