WWI Uniform Grouping PFC Ashton R. Chamberlain F Bty 318th FA Rgt 156 Arty Bde 81st Div

ARTIFACT: This is a circa World War I grouping originally belonging to PFC Ashton R. Chamberlain of the United States Army 81st Division, also known as "Wildcat". Chamberlain was in F Battery, 318th Field Artillery Regiment, 156th Artillery Brigade. Not much is known about him, but we believe he was from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Curiously the label in Chamberlain's case that shows him as part of the 303rd Regiment is a mistake: the color of the patch and the collar insignia upon his jacket identify him positively with the 318th. The letters "OCL" encircling the wildcat upon the gas mask bag stand for the motto "Obedience, Courage, Loyalty".

The grouping includes Chamberlain's painted 81st Division helmet, patched uniform with collar insignia and ribbon bar, putties, leggings, campaign hat, ARC (American Red Cross) campaign hat, sewing kit and first aid bag (containing old bandages and needle), painted gas mask bag (with mask inside) and framed shoulder patches.

We are also selling a French-made shoulder patch of Chamberlain's separately (please see listing information via link at bottom of this page). This patch was found in the jacket pocket.

VINTAGE: Circa World War I.

SIZE: Jacket (36R size tag): approximately 17-1/2" (armpit to armpit), 23-1/2" from shoulder seam to end of cuff, 15-1/2" across back from shoulder to shoulder and about 26" from base of collar to hem. Pants: approximately 16-1/4" across waist (33-1/2" total), 23" inseam, 35-1/2" in total length. Campaign hat (no size tag): head opening is about 6-1/4" by 8" and hat stands about 5-1/4" tall. Other items are of typically experienced sizes.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Jacket: wool, twill lining; jacket patches, red chevron are wool on wool felt; gold chevrons: silk on wool. Pants: wool, twill lining. Hat: beaver felt, silk ribbon, leather liner. Helmet: Painted steel, leather liner and strap. Bags/cases: cotton (gas mask bag is painted). Framed wool felt patches in wooden frame, glass.

ATTACHMENT: Jacket: buttons up front, double hook-and-eye closure at collar, buttons at pockets; pants: button fly with hook and eye closure, rear buckle below waist, eyelets at calves. Hat: lace to tie beneath chin. Helmet: straps with buckles.

MARKINGS: Jacket: 36R tag. Case: Ashton R. Chamberlain Wolfeboro, N.H. 303 Bat. F written on label; KENLIT WATERPROOF label. ARC sewing kit: A. R. Chamberlain 1665028 written on front. Large ARC bag: A. R. CHAMBERLAIN BTRY F. 318 F.A. written on front. Gas mask bag: 3 (in square), 19609X. Framed items: Printed at Base Printing Plant, 29th Engrs, U.S. Army 1919.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Army collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. P-DB-50/VEBFX12 LAAJJX1/13 SAJJJX6/14

CONDITION: 7 (Overall Very Fine): The items are all in various conditions but are overall very fine. There are some small moth bites to the jacket, mostly beneath the right sleeve, and one of the gold chevrons is coming unsewn. Pants have some small holes and some unusually sewn circular repairs on front and back. Hat is in very good shape with some light to medium aging. Helmet has seen predictable wear. Patches have been well preserved. All bags/equipment are in decent condition: one case has some holes on reverse (see photo).