Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

In Search of an Identity

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms In Search of an Identity 1872-1920	Number 2
In Search of an Identity (continued)

1912 National Park Service button. Designed by Sigmund Eisner using 1905 National Park Service badge as a model. NPSHC - HFC

In January 1912 Assistant Secretary Thompson wrote Sigmund Eisner requesting prices for summer uniforms made from the 13-ounce olive drab cloth sample they had submitted. He also requested sketches of both summer and winter uniforms, plus over coat, "together with advice as to whether bronze buttons bearing the eagle design surrounded by the words 'National Park Service, Department of the Interior,' as used upon the park ranger service badge shown you, will be procured and placed upon the uniforms." [40] The "National Park Service" buttons thus preceded the bureau by four years. The inscription on the badge is further evidence of the even earlier currency of the term "National Park Service."

1905 National Park Service ranger badge. Came into use by park rangers after separation of Services in 1905. HPSHC - HFC

The badge was stamped and either tin or nickel-plated. It was two inches in diameter with a rope edge. The words NATIONAL PARK SERVICE * DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR surrounded an eagle similar to the one used on the Interior seal at this time. It is not known exactly when this badge came into use, but it was probably soon after the forest reserves left Interior for Agriculture. Because Gifford Pinchot had a new badge made for the Forest Service rangers, it is reasonable to assume that the Interior Department did likewise for the rangers in the parks. There is no doubt about its being used by 1911 when Eisner met with Chief Clerk Ucker.

Eisner agreed to the terms, and the sketches were drawn up and forwarded, along with the prices for the summer uniform, to the department shortly thereafter.

Drawings of 1912 National Park Service uniform furnished by Sigmund Eisner, Red Bank, New Jersey. NPS Archives - YELL

The summer uniform, consisting of coat, pants, and vest, cost $14.25, with the winter uniform being fifty cents more. The difference stemmed from pockets and a heavier lining on the winter version. Winter service leggings were an additional $3.50. The sketches show uniform #1 (summer) to be a five-button coat with out pockets, with narrow cuffs on the sleeves. Uniform #2 (winter) is the same except for four pockets, two upper and two lower. The double-breasted reefer (overcoat) has two slash pockets and two bottom pockets with plaquets. Buttons were to be made up in different sizes for the coats, cuffs, and pockets. [41]

Two items of the uniform had been overlooked in the prices submitted by Eisner: summer leggings and hats. Ucker requested prices for the leggings and for "hats (Alpine or other style—Alpine preferred) for use with both summer and winter service uniforms."

He also requested a sketch of the Alpine hat. Eisner forwarded the requested sketch along with a price of $1.00 per pair for summer leggings. "Hats (of which I enclose sketch) made of grey felt, and similar to those worn by the U.S. Army would cost $1.50 each," he wrote. "You will note this hat is Alpine shape and same as used by the United States Geological Survey." Before any of the "Alpine" hats were purchased, the department asked that they be of a better grade and "a color conforming more nearly to that of the cloth (olive drab)." The upgrade resulted in a price of $2.50 for the hat. [42]

Twenty copies of the Eisner drawings were made at the department and forwarded to the various parks. Yellowstone still has a copy of these drawings in its archives. They confirm that the summer coat was intended to have no outside pockets, while the winter version was originally intended to have four. From the sketch of the hat, "Alpine" evidently meant a hat similar to the Stetson, only with a stiff brim and what is known as a Montana peak in which the crown is indented in four places, similar to the modern hat only much more severely, to bring it to a point.

The uniform resembled the one worn by the U.S. Army enough to cause concern at the department. Assistant Secretary Thompson wrote the secretary of war asking if there was too close a resemblance. The War Department had no objection. Even though the material was the same as that of the Army uniform, "the difference in cut and absence of insignia, etc.," would prevent any confusion with the military. [43]

On February 19, 1912, letters were sent out to all parks outlining the new olive drab uniforms being considered by the department for the rangers. They were described as follows:

Winter service: 16 oz. olive drab cloth, coat, as per sketch #2, vest, pants or breeches, leather puttees, and hat, Alpine style per sketch #4. Cost: $22.50

Overcoat, double breasted, knee length, 22 oz. olive drab cloth, with either quilted or lasting lining, per sketch #3, $15.00

Cost of uniform with overcoat: $37.50

Summer service: 13 oz. olive drab cloth, coat, sketch #1, with two inside pockets, but no outside pockets, pant or breeches, vest, hat, Alpine style, sketch #4, and leggings. Cost: $18.00

Coat, sketch #2, four outside pockets. Cost: $7.50

Extra pockets, $.50 each.

The uniforms were to have "National Park Service" buttons. No shoes or boots were mentioned. It was further thought that to differentiate the ranger uniforms from the military, either the two upper or the two lower pockets of the coat should be eliminated from sketch #2. The various parks were invited to express their opinions in this matter. [44]

The consensus of park opinion was that if pockets had to be eliminated, they should be the two upper ones, but that there should be one or two inside pockets. None of the rangers wanted vests, but there was some interest in shirts. Ranger Fry at Sequoia included an order for five of the new uniforms with his reply. [45]

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