The Model 1902 Dress Uniform
After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army decided to update their uniforms so they would be more standard across all branches. Thus, the Model 1902 uniforms were introduced; one in blue wool for dress and a cotton khaki version for the field.
The dress uniform consisted of a dark blue wool jacket with a six-button front, three smaller buttons on each cuff and “US”, branch collar insignia. The cuffs, epaulettes and collar are all trimmed in the branch color (yellow for cavalry, light blue for infantry, etc.) The trousers are a light blue wool with a stripe in the branch color if the wearer was an NCO or officer.
The Model 1902 uniform was issued until WWI. It was suspended for wear until 1926 when it became optional wear. It was completely phased out by 1938 by the issuing of more modern uniforms.
The uniform had several “add-ons”. One was, of course, rank. rank was the updated 1902 style that we still somewhat see today. Rank was flipped from being pointing down to pointing up and the size shrunk considerably as well. Private First Class rank consisted of the branch insignia, and some rates also were present such as the Gunner 1st Class rate on the uniform shown earlier in this article.
Another addition is service stripes. Each diagonal stripe at the cuff represents 3 years of service and was in the color of the branch that service was done in. It’s not uncommon to see different colored service stripes if the soldier served in multiple branches.
Lastly, many uniforms can be found with breast cords. These are woven wool cords that were worn across the body with two planchettes hanging down from the left shoulder. These breast cords would also be the color of the branch of service.
*Photos courtesy of International Military Antiques.
American Militaria Reference
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