Identified Officer’s Service Dress Uniform -43rd Division Artillery – SOLD

This winter wool service dress uniform grouping belonged to 2nd Lieutenant Willis H. Ramsden, 103rd Field Artillery, 43rd Division. Ramsden enlisted as a private in Sept. of 1926, and held ranks of private, private first class, corporal, and sergeant of FA to April of 1929, promoted to 2nd Lt. in 1929 and remained in that rank until 1939.  He was from Massachusetts.

The uniform is named inside on the tailor label, and dated 1928. The collar brass is screw back without maker hallmark.  The 103rd DUIs are unmarked screw backs, and the high arched coffin type 2nd Lt’s bars are Meyer- SHOLD-R-FORM brand, pin backs.  The Interwar variety 43rd Division patch is embroidered on OD wool. There are a few small sporadic moth holes, nothing of significance, and can be diminished. There is no size label on this custom made coat, but “his” Sam Browne belt is a size 30.

Both of the trousers are khaki jodhpurs, both named to Ramsden, being attached to HQ 103rd.  The show wear, and have stains, but in good shape otherwise.

A local made visor cap is also named; made by (or retailed by) Community Exchange, 56 Washington St. Providence, R.I.  it has the protective plastic shield sewn onto the center of the crown. The size label coming loose, but reads, 6 7/8.  Interior stitching of sweatband is all intact.  The light OD wool body shows no sign of mothing. The mohair trim, likewise fine with fading all round, but even. The leather visor and chinstraps are fine. The front chinstrap has a black section added over the cordovan, and is either a period replacement or original.

Finishing but the group, is a fine and complete Sam Browne belt. I have no doubt it being original as belt size and waist of trousers are matching.

Overall, a nice representative uniform for a field artillery officer who was part of this New England National Guard unit.

SKU: JM20- 1022 Category:

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Weight 5 lbs