UNIFORM AND DOCUMENT GROUPING OF LT. DAVID W. PETERSON, QUARTERMASTER HQ, 34TH INFANTRY

UNIFORM AND DOCUMENT GROUPING OF LT. DAVID W. PETERSON, QUARTERMASTER HQ, 34TH INFANTRY

Great grouping of materials once belonging to World War I Lt. DAVID W. PETERSON, Quartermaster HQ, 34th Division, includes: Olive wool tunic, bearing manufacturer's label "Maison Modele" and stitched name tag "Lieut. D. W. Peterson" towards the back of the neck. A patch-style pocket is located at each breast, with a further similar pocket on each hip, all closed with flaps secured by brass insignia buttons. The front of the tunic is closed by five similar buttons. Above the left breast is the ribbon for the World War I Victory Medal, while the left sleeve bears an original early 34th Infantry Division patch on felt, and the left cuff bears a double-chevron insignia patch, indicating the rank of corporal. Each side of the color bears an original "U.S." pin and a quartermaster insignia pin. The interior pocket along the left side bears an additional "Maison Model" identification label, which Peterson himself signs in blue ink. All buttons present, and save for some moth nips and wear to the interior lining, the tunic is in very good condition. The coat is accompanied with: Pair of service trousers, again constructed of olive green wool and bearing the stitched name tag "Lieut. D. W. Peterson" at the interior; green canvas shower kit with identification tag on the exterior; Army-issue sewing kit; and Army-issue gas mask with tan canvas bag, inscribed "D.W. Peterson" on the exterior in black ink. SOLD WITH: Extensive archive of dozens upon dozens of documents, including equipment transfers, property accounting records, Quartermaster returns, a postcard book, and much more. Many folded and wrinkled, else very good. WITH: Six war date maps of France, variously sized, some bear various hand-drawn ink markings, one showing Andron rail lines in the vicinity of Beaufort and Roseres. Another notable map, dated April 23, 1918, shows the area of Amiens, four months before that city would hold the opening phase of the Allied offensive, later known as the Hundred Days Offensive, that ultimately led to the end of the First World War. Each folded, yet generally very good condition. WITH: Handwritten war date poem titled "Sergeant Dan", likely written by Peterson himself, 2pp. oblong folio, about a sergeant whom jumped onto a grenade to save the lives of his comrades, reading in small part: ...Old dan screamed drop ye heathen and he took a mighty leap and he threw himself upon it then rolled off a mangled heap. Well we lay there froze with horror till we simply broke and cried, as some blights will do somehow when they know a man has died..." Peterson signs at the conclusion, dating "June 14/17". Acquired by our consignor from the collection of Bob Ford, renowned collector of World War I divisional uniforms.