Gaiters were black wool or painted black canvas with a button closure on the outer side and a strap under the boot. They were worn over trouser legs and stopped just below the knee. Gaiters:Īlso called leggings, gaiters served to keep dirt out of the shoes and to protect the legs in rough terrain. Like the waistcoat, trousers were white linen for summer and blue, white or gray wool for winter. Trousers:įull in the seat with tight legs ending at the ankles, trousers had replaced both breeches and overalls by the War of 1812. Worn over the shirt collar to help soldiers maintain military posture, neck stocks were usually black leather and fastened with a brass clasp. The shirt also doubled as a sleeping garment. Generally made of course, white or natural linen, shirts were long and loose fitting with full, long sleeves and a large collar. The summer waistcoat was white linen and in winter, it was wool. Waistcoat:Īlso called a vest, it was single-breasted with a tall, standing collar and went over the shirt and under the coatee. Foot troops used silver or white trim all others used gold or yellow trim. The blackened, tanned leather scabbard was sized to fit the bayonet's blade.Īt the time, there were no branch colors as we have today. The other belt, which hung in the opposite direction and featured a buckle or breastplate to adjust length, supported the scabbard for the bayonet. This was also generally leather, and had a wooden block inside with holes drilled in the top to hold pre-rolled paper cartridges, usually about two dozen rounds. One of the belts extended from the left shoulder to the right hip and supported the cartridge box. The two crossbelts were usually made of “whitened buff” leather, although tanned leather or a woven linen was sometimes used. It had a wooden stopper and was held by a leather shoulder strap. The canteen which was used to carry liquids, usually water, was a round, wooden “cheese box” drum. The haversack was a white, linen bag for carrying food, utensils and small personal items. It was used to hold spare clothing, personal items and a folded blanket under the flap. The most common form of knapsack was a square linen bag with a large flap that was usually painted to provide protection in damp weather. They were often made of wool or linen, and in some cases, leather. Full in the seat and tight in the leg, the breeches extended just below the knee. Breeches:Ī common form of civilian garment, breeches were worn early in the war. Trousers were usually tailored to fit looser and baggier than breeches. Overalls were usually made of white wool for winter service and white linen for summer service. They were typically black and made of woven horsehair, leather or linen. Worn over the shirt collar and fastened around the neck with a buckle, clasp or tie-string, the neck stock helped soldiers maintain a military posture. Shirts were usually made of coarse, white or natural linen and were long and loose fitting, with full, long sleeves and a large collar. Worn under the coat and over the shirt, the waistcoat was generally single breasted with a standing collar and two small front pockets. The collar, cuffs and lapels were trimmed with a variety of colors depending on the region: white for New England buff for New York and New Jersey red for the mid-Atlantic states and blue for the southern states.

In today’s market, the Disney Mickey Mouse gas mask is the rarest and most-wanted gas mask to American collectors.The Continental Army uniform coat was made of dark blue wool – a direct contrast to the British Army’s red uniforms. Production ceased and those that were made, were discarded or have been lost over time. However, as WW2 came to an end and the threat of a chemical attack over, there was no longer any need for the mask. The Sun Rubber Company went on to produce over 1,000 of the Mickey Mouse gas masks, with the line given the Army-Navy “E” for excellence in 1944. Walt Disney himself was very fond of the idea and gladly approved production. Porter, Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service.Ĭlearly designed for children, the mask was designed to look like the famous Mickey Mouse character to reduce the fear of actually wearing a gas mask. Smith Jr (owner of the Sun Rubber Company) presented a sketch of the Mickey Mouse gas mask to Major General William N. Now the threat of a chemical attack seemed very real. It all came about during WW2, a month after the Pearl Harbour attack.įor the first time in the war an attack had taken place on American soil. The Disney Mickey Mouse Gas Mask is a strange entry in the long and successful cannon of Disney themed merchandise.

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