The Cosmoline Army

It is a new month again, so I made my pilgrimage to Battery Chamberlin to do some living history for the public with my comrades from the Coast Artillery Historical Association.

This month one of the association members came wearing a United States Coast Artillery uniform from the 1904-1912 period, complete with sidearm.

The service coat, hat, pistol belt and pants are original articles from that period. I still find it amazing to believe that you can find these uniforms in reasonable good condition and they fit someone a 100 years later.

I really like the uniform of this transition period from the blue to khaki tan and finally to green service uniform and it goes perfect with the 6 inch gun as they were both from this time frame.

Here you can see the what the difference about 20 years makes in military uniforms.  The One on the right is WWII about 1942-44

Here is a close up photo of the S&W revolver in its' leather holster. This sidearm would be used through the beginning of WWII.

Finally, here is a photo of the left side of the pistol belt. It has four ammunition pockets sewn into the belt with brass eagle snaps for closing.

The "Dark Continent"

I saw this online today and had forgotten the story about looking for Livingstone.  During the 19th century there was a great interest in Africa as it was pretty much still unexplored by Europeans.  The now famous statement  "Doctor Livingstone, I presume?"  Hit the headlines after the New York Herald sent Stanley to look for Livingstone.

He discovered him after a long trek through Africa and contracting a couple of diseases. The sad part to this story is that after Stanley found the good doctor, Livingstone did not want to returned to England and continued into the heart of Africa to find the source of the River Nile. Livingstone later died and his body was returned to England for burial.

Here is a link to the article: Livingstone

The Great L.A. Air Raid

My Dad and Brother went down to Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California for their yearly L.A. Air Raid of 1942 remembrance. Here are a couple photo my Brother took while he was there.

WC Series Command Car ( the other is a 1 1/2 ton 6x6).

WC-12 (Dodge) pick-up.

Scout Car (I think it maybe a White or IHC).

Mobile Electric Spot Light.

It was a pretty fun one day event. I wasn't able to attend due to issue at home, but I am already planning for next year.  

Here is the link to: Fort Mac