United States Army Headgear 1855-1902 - Libreria Militare Ares

68FIGURE 47.—Helmet for enlisted men (note "pin-wheel"ventilator). (From United States Army and Navy Journal,22 January 1881.)that used on the 1872 model, and the side buttonswere of a chain-link rosette type as opposed to theMiles Board drawing "tiger head." The officers'summer helmet was taken directly from the drawingswith a wreath of foliage spike base and "tigerhead" side buttons,^°° as was that for field andmounted officers. The front plate for enlisted menwas the crossed weapons called for in General OrderNo. 4, but that for officers was of an entirelynew design made up by Rogers and mentioned inhis letter to Meigs of 16 December."' In addition,the chin chain on the officers' summer helmets wasarranged high to low from left to right as viewed,while that on the foot officers' winter helmets wasjust the reverse."'Just how and why these discrepancies in the patternscrept in is not the least clear. Certainly therewas no need for undue haste once Sherman had approvedthe change. It does seem possible, however.SMITHSONIAN STUDIES IN HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGYthat since the selection of the insignia and trimmingshad obviously not been settled at the timeof approval, to say nothing of the helmet shape,the photographs were deliberately released to thepress and others in order to evoke comment as tothe preferences of the members of the service. Inany case, before any such comment was forthcomingRogers was working at standardizing the ornamentsand front plates. Working with Horstmannhe came up with a set of designs, which he forwardedto Meigs in care of the draftsman suggestingthat the enlisted men be given a front eagle similarto that for officers.*"" After considerable correspondencebetween Philadelphia and Washington, asecond trip to Washington by the Horstmann designer,plus consideration of designs solicited fromother suppliers, Rogers personally took to the capitalthe fruits of his labors, which Meigs submittedto Sherman who approved them. The helmet shapewas that designed originally by Allien, that is, thatformerly furnished to the Miles Board.*^"Several days later, Rogers, in forwarding to thedepot quartermaster his estimates for the brasstrimmings and front plates for the coming year,stated that the estimate did "not comprehend any. . . for mounted helmets as the present stock willbe issued to them until exhausted as per GeneralOrder No. 4," which accounts for the 1872 frontplate on cut-down 1872 and Model 1881 helmetsin numerous photographs.*" The next day Meigsordered depot quartermasters to forward all 1872pattern helmets to Philadelphia for alteration toconform with the new pattern.*'' On 16 March,Rogers forwarded to Washington the specificationsfor the pattern as last approved, which wereadopted 6 May and published.*"WAR DEPARTMENT,QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE.Specifications for Helmets for all Troops.Material.—To be black: To be made of felt composed ofone part each of "Russia" and best "coney/' and one-halfpart of short stock nutria or beaver; wine stiffened. Suchother suitable material besides felt of the above compositionas may from time to time be determined upon bids receivedin response to advertisement may be used if approved; inwhich case the character and quality of such material, asshown in the sample submitted and accepted, will governthe contract.Shape, Etc.—To be in shape according to standard sample.Black enameled leather band, about seven-eighths {Ys)of an inch wide, to surround the helmet at base of crown,and to have an adjustable chin-strap of the same material