Model 1913 “Patton” Cavalry Sword
Model 1913 “Patton” Cavalry Sword Home Civil War Late 1800’s WWI The Model 1913 Cavalry Sword After touring Europe looking at the cavalry swords of
April 30, 2026
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Soap
Soap, by definition, is fat or oil mixed with an alkali. The oil comes from an animal or plant, while the alkali is a chemical called lye. During World War I soap was worth its weight in gold for all soldiers on either side. Men in constant muddy conditions infested with lice would often look forward to quick bath with some soap. It was used for everything from laundry, bathing, shaving or even cleaning wounds and medical equipment.
When troops arrived at training camps they were stripped down and given hot kerosene soap emulsion showers to prevent the spread of lice. It was necessary to have clean soldiers to prevent infectious diseases or the spread of common hair lice. After a hard days work in the sun or marching down dusty roads it was easy to get your uniform and yourself dirty and to prolong the life of your uniform cleaning was a must.
Ivory Soap and Life Buoy Royal Soap are examples of popular soap bars used by American soldiers in WWI. While supplies in the US were abundant, supplies overseas and in Europe were scarce the main ingredient of animal fat was in short supply especially in Germany. German chemical company in 1916 was the first to develop a synthetic version of fatty acid salts for its production of soap. The same concept is still used today for modern detergents and soaps.
As said before soap was worth its weight in gold to soldiers. In the first issue of the popular paper called The Mess Kit, there is a article written about the Third Army’s unofficial currency:
” Soap! Soap! Soap! Soap! You little piece of yellow soap. At home for five small cents it’s weight in gold- Soap! Soap! Soap! Soap! Any kin of cake of soap. At home we bring the girls bouquets, But here they have the soapy craze- Soap! Soap! Soap! Soap! A little piece of washing soap. No coin is good that you possess, But show them soap and they’ll say, yes, Soap! Soap! Soap! Soap! It takes but just a bit of soap to buy an iron cross or two or get a guy an awful stew, Soap! Soap! Soap! Fill your pockets full of soap. Then you are fixed with every Hun and you can have just gobs of fun, with Soap-Soap-Soap”. (The Skirmisher) June, 1919.
(Above USMC Soldiers Washing Up With Soap After Training)
(Cover Photo and USMC Photo Courtesy of The National Archives)
Army Model 1902 Cotton Visor Cap
Model 1902 Cotton Visor Cap Home Civil War Late 1800’s WWI The Model 1902 Cotton Visor Cap After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army decided
April 27, 2026
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Army Model 1902 Dress Visor Cap
Model 1902 Dress Visor Cap Home Civil War Late 1800’s WWI The Model 1902 Dress Visor Caps After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army decided
April 27, 2026
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American Militaria Reference
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