Chevrons and Diamonds

1944-1945 Marines Jersey – Red Cotton

November 30, 2018

2–3 minutes

This uniform is considerably different from the two wool examples. The base material is cotton duck, most-likely to provide breathablilty and comfort over the heavier wool. The neckline, button pattern and trim also differs from the other two Marines jerseys. The soutache is yellow rayon whole the lettering (showing the ravages of mothing) are made of wool flannel.

Closer detail of the soutache, moth-damaged lettering and the two-hole buttons. These buttons are unique to this jersey and one other that is in my collection (a blue cotton 5th Army baseball uniform).

A departure from the more commonly available gray wool baseball jerseys, this red and gold Marines jersey shares few of the features that are seen in the other USMC examples. From the base material (canvas-like, cotton duck), the design and cut, to the colors. this jersey is set apart from the rest.

As with the majority of the baseball uniforms used during WWII, there are no manufacturer’s tags (a small size tag is attached inside the collar). Another commonality present on this jersey are the two-hole, convex buttons which are affixed in a more standard alignment.

In addition to the jersey, a ball cap accompanies this display. This cap is constructed of light-weight canvas, features a leather sweatband and the gold “M” matches the lettering on the jersey. The ball cap was located independently of the jersey and though the color is a lighter shade of red on the top, it appears to be sun-bleached from wear and might be the proper hat to accompany this uniform jersey.

Another indication of the lettering material are the visible moth nips. The cotton material is flawless.

After nearly a decade with seeing a single military baseball cap, let alone a USMC cap that seems to match my jerseys, a second one was listed less than two months after I landed my first. This one is made from cotton duck like the red MARINES jersey.

The cap is a little sun-faded but is made from the same material. The letter on the cap is made from cotton rather than wool. It is possible that the cap does not accompany the jersey.

Uniform Features:

Jersey:

Buttons: The buttons are gold-colored plastic, convex, two-hole.
Material: The base material is medium-weight, red cotton duck.
Soutache: A double line of 1/2-inch gold-weave rayon material encircling the collar and down the placket and positioned at the edge of the sleeve cuffs.
Lettering: Lightweight gold athletic felt block lettering spelling out the team name in an arc across the chest, on both sides of the placket.
Numerals: None.
Sleeves: Twelve-fourteen inches, non-vented.
Other features: None
Tag: No manufacturer’s tags. There is a small white tag with red numerals indicating the size of the jersey (“36”).