Chaps,
I finally found an original WW1 1917-dated AIF tunic; an extraordinarily rare item.
For the most part these tunics were worn out, discarded/burnt during demobilisation in Europe, or worn by the returned soldiers during the Great Depression and beyond. Whatever happened, very few have survived and most are either in the Australian War Memorial or in private collections. Prices, therefore, have become prohibitive. For what I paid for this tunic, I cetainly could have purchased 1907/10 and maybe a bluse to go with it.
The colour patch is for Headquarters Australian Corps (formed on 1 November 1917 from elements of I and II ANZAC Corps, and commanded by General Birdwood, and then LTGEN John Monash from May 1918 onwards).
I certainly envy the American WW1 collector with so many US uniforms preserved in near mint condition for the past 90 years.
Original WW1 dated slouch hats are similarly rare - some photos of my two WW1 slouch hats attached. Breeches are basically non-existent.
Some photos
Mike
An English manufactured infantry slouch hat, dated 1917,
An Australian manufactured Light Horse slouch hat, also dated 1917,
I finally found an original WW1 1917-dated AIF tunic; an extraordinarily rare item.
For the most part these tunics were worn out, discarded/burnt during demobilisation in Europe, or worn by the returned soldiers during the Great Depression and beyond. Whatever happened, very few have survived and most are either in the Australian War Memorial or in private collections. Prices, therefore, have become prohibitive. For what I paid for this tunic, I cetainly could have purchased 1907/10 and maybe a bluse to go with it.
The colour patch is for Headquarters Australian Corps (formed on 1 November 1917 from elements of I and II ANZAC Corps, and commanded by General Birdwood, and then LTGEN John Monash from May 1918 onwards).
I certainly envy the American WW1 collector with so many US uniforms preserved in near mint condition for the past 90 years.
Original WW1 dated slouch hats are similarly rare - some photos of my two WW1 slouch hats attached. Breeches are basically non-existent.
Some photos
Mike
An English manufactured infantry slouch hat, dated 1917,
An Australian manufactured Light Horse slouch hat, also dated 1917,
