|
Rayadillo Tunic "Guerrera" Puerto Rican Pattern of 1893 |
||
|
NEWSLETTER: The New Tropical Telegraph WEAPONS Back to agmohio Bill Combs online showroom
|
A basic Rayadillo tunic of the Spanish American War period. Similar tunics were worn in all three major colonies but will be found in several slightly different variations. This example is the text book regulation pattern for troops stationed in Puerto Rico with roll collar and two inset breast pockets with flaps. It is trimmed in matching rayadillo binding along the front, skirt hem, shoulder straps, side vents and side back seams, a distinctive feature found only on Puerto Rican issue tunics. The rear skirt has two scalloped false pocket flaps with buttons as a decorative detail. The interior is unlined and retains blue ink size stamps "3ª". When acquired, this tunic had no buttons or collar insignia and I have added original 6th. Volunteer Company buttons and collar insignia for display purposes. Insignia and buttons were attached by rings and rank insignia was either pinned on or lightly sewn so that all could be easily removable for the frequent washings necessary in the tropics. For dress and garrison duty, cuffs, collars and shoulder wings (wings used only in Puerto Rico) of branch of service colored wool were attached, usually in a temporary fashion but sometimes permanently. Among the other variations of this pattern commonly encountered are tunics with standing collars, a characteristic unique to uniforms issued in the Philippines. Simpler tunics without the edge trim or the rear skirt details were issued in Cuba. This particular tunic along with matching trousers, both of which appear never to have been worn, were brought back from Puerto Rico by Captain Clarence E. Dentler, 11th. US Infantry, West Point Class of 1884.
Image courtesy of Jose Maria Fabregat A detail from a cabinet card portrait of José Antonio Pallejá Solé, a soldier in the 3rd. Provisional Battalion of Puerto Rico and the Great Grandfather of the donor. He is wearing the Puerto Rican pattern rayadillo Guerrera with distinctive edge trim. To adapt his service tunic to Dress or 'Gala' mode, he has applied green wool shoulder wings, unique in this period to Puerto Rican regulars, and cuffs with yellow braid Light Infantry 'sardinetas'. The collar is without colored cover, a common practice after the mid 1890's. The collar insignia is not clearly visible, but appears to be a medium size brass horn device used by the Light Infantry and Volunteers, probably with the number "3" in the center. His Regular Infantry pattern belt buckle is embossed with the unit number "3" and he is armed with a Model 1893 Mauser bayonet. Posed next to him is his white canvas covered pith helmet with brass royal crest, introduced into Puerto Rican service by an 1894 Royal Order. The photo, shot in San Juan, is believed to have been taken in 1897 or 1898.
|
