.gif){kind=small}
Cover Page
MENU
The Developing Years
|
National Park Service Uniforms The Developing Years 1932-1970 |
Number 5 |
|
| |
A new "Texas Ranger" style belt was designed in early 1940 as an alternative to the plain belt. This new belt was 1/8-inch thick by 1-1/2-inches wide, embossed with a design similar to the hat band. It was a billeted design, like most western gun holster belts, which utilize a secondary narrow belt, or billet, sewn on top of the wider main belt to secure it. The first company to respond to the new design was the B.B. McGinnis Company, Merced, California, who advertised the belt for $1.00. But Fechheimer Brothers proved to have a superior product and its belt was approved by the Director. Fechheimer originally priced the belt at $1.25, but with it becoming the authorized Service belt and no doubt a substantial order being placed, the cost was reduced to $1.15. [17]
 Investigating double murder at Crater Lake [National Park] 7/1952. Wosky is wearing the very popular "billeted" belt. Left to right: John B. Wosky, supt.; Thomas J. Allen, Asst. Director, Operations; unnamed Oregon State Policeman Courtesy of Kettler, Herald & News, Klamath falls, Oregon |
Along with the billeted belt was one authorized for Service employees required to wear side arms. It had a strap that went across the chest and over the shoulder to help support the weight of the weapon. This style belt, known as a Sam Browne, was copied from the British military and used by the U.S. Army, as well as law enforcement agencies. This belt was not embossed. Both belts were cordovan color.
A complete Class A standard National Park Service uniform of 19-oz elastique (made by Weintraub Brothers & Company, Phila.) could be purchased at Pryor Stores concession at Yellowstone in May, 1940, for $63.55. By September 1, 1941, the price had risen to $65.60, less boots (Fechheimer). Boots cost approximately $25.00.
 1940 NPS Junior Park Warden badge. Although officially called the "Junior Park Warden" badge, the "Junior" was deleted no doubt because of lack of space on badge. It was made of nickel-plated German-silver like the other badges of this period. Courtesy of Deryl Stone Collection |
With the issuance of the National Park Service uniform regulations in a manual format, uniform regulations became an entity in their own right and were no longer classed under the general heading of "Office Orders". (although the first manual was classified as Office Order No. 350)
On November 22, 1940, a new manual for uniform regulations were issued for the Service. A new badge for "Junior Park Warden" was instituted along with two new uniforms. Due to the extreme heat associated with their location, employees at Death Valley National Monument would now wear the following:
 Park Naturalist H. Donald Curry, 1939, Death Valley National Monument. Although Curry is not wearing the prescribed "Sun Helmet" or belt, he does have on the regulation "Sand Tan" shirt and trousers. NPSHPC/DEVA651.531#522 |
"Sun Helmet: Sand tan color [instead of forest green-author [18]] with silver Sequoia ornament.
Shirt: Sand tan color, any acceptable material, cotton gabardine, broadcloth, or twill; collar attached, shoulder straps, two large plaited pockets with buttoned flaps and pencil openings on the left; single button cuffs.
Trousers: San[d] tan color, cotton gabardine, twill, or similar material; tunnel belt loops 2" on sides, 1-1/2" cuffs."
Plus regulation "new style" belt, Blucher type shoes (high-top, lace-up), socks and tie.
It may seem strange to people today that the Service would create a lightweight uniform for hot weather that retained the tie, but at that time it was considered vulgar to expose the top of the chest when meeting the public. Dispensing with the coat was a major concession.
In addition to the hot weather uniform, the regulations also authorized new uniforms for the National Park Service "navy".
Top
Last Modified: Wed, Feb 7 2001 11:30:00 pm PDT
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/workman5/vol5c7.htm
.gif){kind=small}