1909 Military tunic...

**McRoy** · 5th May 14, 08:16 AM

I recently ordered a 1909 pattern tropical drill tunic and have a question as I can not seem to find any photos of them as worn. I am wondering if this type of tunic was longer than the ones of later periods? Mine seems to fit ok, the belt hooks are in the correct place, but the hem falls almost half way do the back of the kilt and tucks slightly behind the sporran in front.

**rsvpiper** · 5th May 14, 10:04 AM

Post up some picture McRoy That may help out

**Machaggisnz** · 5th May 14, 01:17 PM

Hi McRoy, where did you order the tunic from?

**Downunder Kilt** · 5th May 14, 03:12 PM

If you purchased it from What Price Glory, it will be long. I cannot find a 1909 pattern one but, I have the 1902 pattern one, which was worn right up to WW2. You can find photos of me wearing same in this thread. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...01#post1232301

**OC Richard** · 5th May 14, 07:03 PM

I have photos in a couple books of these being worn. They can look like the wool version in photos, but you can tell them apart because the cotton one lacks lower pockets.

This photo was posted on another XMarks thread. It shows the cotton drill tunic very well.

I intend on getting one myself, for my Black Watch piper's kit. I saw one of these WPG cotton drill tunics being worn and it looked very nice.

**McRoy** · 6th May 14, 08:02 PM

I am 6'0" and they recommended a 40 long, in retrospect it should have been a 40 regular. I'm not sure how much longer the long is over the regular, but less length would be preferable. Having said that I have seen a period photo where the tunic does appear to be quite long. I should mention WPG did offer to exchange it for a regular, but the cost for me to ship it back to them would make this too expensive an option. I also washed it so didn't feel it was fair to return it. I will see how it works and if it really looks odd, I'll either get it altered, or buy a 40 regular.

**McRoy** · 19th May 14, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

If you purchased it from What Price Glory, it will be long. I cannot find a 1909 pattern one but, I have the 1902 pattern one, which was worn right up to WW2. You can find photos of me wearing same in this thread. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...01#post1232301

Thanks, seeing yours, mine is not far off. I plan to wear it with a pith helmet and Khaki spats and red and black diced hose tops. And again if it ends up looking too long, I'll get it tailored a wee bit shorter. I need to wear it in June, so will hopefully be able to post a photo then so my look can be savaged by the rabble.

**James Hood** · 1st September 14, 06:31 AM

Sounds like an interesting garment.

Please do post a piccie when you can.

**Tarheel** · 1st September 14, 09:44 AM

Finally, something I know about. The proper length of a sleeve by US (and I assume UK) military regs. is to the top knuckle of the thumb so as not to hinder the uniform unsightly when saluting. The earliest B & W photo of the proper tunic sleeve length is seen on the troops. The officer in the white jacket has his uniform too short in length, being at the wrist. I would have gone with the long instead of the regular length for the extra cloth in the sleeve. I too am 6' and found that length is a problem in mass produced uniforms. The hem of sleeve can only be reduced with a hem and not stretched if too short. Photo of Downunder Kilt's jacket is the proper military sleeve length. I hope this helps.

**OC Richard** · 9th September 14, 05:49 PM

I forgot about this thread!

I think the tunic I got was a 'long' though I didn't realise that that's what I had ordered.

I had to hem up the sleeves quite a bit and the body is rather long too.

Here it is, being worn as part of my 'impression' of a Pipe Major of The Black Watch

My biggest question was about the insignia. I'm told that after the drab wool Service Dress tunic was introduced the same insignia intended for that tunic was also worn on the khaki drill tunic. That's what I'm wearing there.

However that khaki drill tunic was worn long before 1908, and I find it quite unlikely that drab wool insignia would be worn on the khaki drill tunic before drab uniforms were introduced. From what little I can tell from looking at Boer War (and earlier) photographs showing the earlier version of the khaki drill tunic, insignia using matching khaki drill backing might have been used. On the other hand, some photos seem to show the same insignia as was used on the Full Dress doublet. Anybody have any clear photos of this?

Anyhow here are some more photos of this tunic (in various versions)