Date this WW1-era photo?

[captain_jim1]

My grandmother had in her collection a large number of unlabeled photographs and, as the family historian, I am trying to figure out who is who! I believe the young man in this photo is wearing a soldier's uniform from the ww1-era, but I can't verify this... he looks so young! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[chinakay]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat!

The uniform, no clue...you might try posting this on the Armed Forces board. Change the file name or it won't post, just change a letter or two.

The lady, however, is wearing a very short-lived style of blouse and skirt. The skirt came out just before the war, 1913ish, and fashions didn't change much during the war. But her blouse isn't quite up to date, if she was fashion-conscious...the v-necked blouse did come out in 1913. So, I suggest the photo is slightly pre-war to early war. Definitely WWI though.

Cheers,
China

[captain_jim1]

China,

Thanks for the quick response! Thanks for the information -- I know women's fashion is a ton easier to date than men's fashion and nailing it down to the 1913-time frame will really help me out. I have several other photos I'm trying to date which I will post shortly -- I hope to get my hands dirty with some photo restoration help as people need it -- I've been looking for a board like this and so glad I found it!

-Brad

[AJ100]

Pre WW1 US Army. By the age of the lad wearing it, possibly a cadet. As America entered the war in 1917, I believe, it could be any time up to that date, depending on how fashion-conscious the lady was.

Regards

AJ

[macintosh]

I agree with AJ - at first I thought New Zealand Army with the lemon squeezer hat but the height of the indentations in the hat and the calf length leggings are typical USA WW1.


James

[Greensleeves]

He could, of course, be wearing a Boy Scout uniform.  The first group was set up in the USA in 1908 and the uniform was very similar to the one being worn in the photo.

[captain_jim1]

He could, of course, be wearing a Boy Scout uniform.  The first group was set up in the USA in 1908 and the uniform was very similar to the one being worn in the photo.

I am relatively certain this is NOT a boy scout's uniform. The scouts of that era appear to have had different uniforms.

The following page has photos of WW1 soldiers wearing almost the identical shirt with the low chest-pockets, although a different tie. The shirt in my photo is slightly different in that the sleeves have a strange "ruffle" about half-way down the bicep.
http://greatwarpostcards.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html

[sarah]

Hi CaptainJim,

If you wish we can move posts about, if you would like me to move this post to the WW1 section of the Armed Forces just let me know

Regards

Sarah

[captain_jim1]

Sarah that would be great -- thanks!