CIRCA WWI – 1924, U.S. ARMY, TYPE I, GILT, COLLAR DISK, INFANTRY

The original concept of the bronze collar disks was that they would be worn on the service uniform as distinct from the blue dress uniform. In 1917 with the nation at war the dress uniform and its insignia were suspended. It was to be an olive drab and khaki war. Once the war ended the dress blue uniform was not restored for general use but for many the service uniform was too drab. The solution was to use gilt collar disks rather than bronze ones. Previously, gilt disks had been approved in situations where troops were wearing white dress uniforms and certain other situations. Army Regulations AR 600-35 of October 14, 1921 stated that collar disks might be bronze on service uniforms and gilt on white uniforms. On November 25, 1924 the bronze disks were dropped for peace time use on all uniforms. Those still in service were to have been polished to a bright finish.