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Military History/Emblem of the infantry

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Expert: John Vargas - 3/22/2009


Question
Hi John:

When did the U.S. Army Infantry change from the horn to the rifles as their emblem?

Thank you for helping me.

Peter

Answer
Hello Peter,

The US Army’s Infantry Branch Insignia changed from the Horn to the Crossed Rifles during the Indian War’s Period.  

You Read more about the dates of the Indian War’s at US Army Insignia Website.

http://usarmyinsigniahomepage.110mb.com/indianwars.html

The exact date US Army change from the Infantry Horn to the Crossed Muskets took place on November 19th, 1875.  This was done by General Orders Number 96, 19 November 1875.  The General orders stated that the Crossed Rifle Insignia was to be fully implemented before June 1st, 1876.

The Crossed Muskets changed to the Crossed 1903 Springfield Rifles in 1905.  The General Order for this was General Orders Number 197, 31 December 1904.

The Army Infantry Branch Insignia reverted back to the Crossed 1795 model Springfield Arsenal Musket in 1924.

You can read more about the Infantry Branch of Arms Insignia at the Institute of Heraldry Website.

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Branches/Infantry.htm

If the links do not allow you to click on them directly, cut and paste them into a new browser.

I hope that I have been able to answer your question.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me and I would me more than happy to answer them.

Regards,

John

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John Vargas

Expertise

I can answer both specific and general questions about U.S. Army, and Naval Aviation from 1913 to 1946, and WWII U.S. Airborne, to include key personalities, units, commands, and doctrines. My specialty is U.S. Aviation Badges (all Branches of the Service, from WWI to the Present), U.S. Airborne Badges (from WWII to the Present) as well as Aviation, Airborne, and Infantry Insignia (from WWI to the Present), both authorized and unauthorized, of the period. I have access to a vast personal library (as well as text from others...such as museums) of text, as well as actual badges and insignia that is specific to this period of history.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience in collecting and cataloging WWI, and WWI U.S. Army Aviation, WWI, and WWII U.S. Naval Aviation, and U.S. Airborne Badges and Insignia. I was the former assistant curator at the Gen. Wm. C. Lee Airborne Museum, when I lived in NC. I have written histories of Wing Badges and Aviation Insignia for several manufacturing companies to include The Robbins Company, Bailey Banks and Biddle, and I am working on the histories for several other companies at the moment. I am a consultant on regular basis to many museums (including the U.S.A.F., U.S. Army, Private and Public Museums, as well as the Institute of Heraldry), and I am regularly called upon to authenticate U.S. Aviation Badges and Insignia (all Branches of the Service) for Fine Auctions Houses such as Bonham’s and Butterfields, and many others.

Organizations
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA-FL) Historian - I am not a Vietnam Veteran, or a Vietnam Era Helicopter Pilot, I was not old enough to serve in Vietnam, unless the U.S. needed a one-year-old, then I would have Proudly Served.

Education/Credentials
I am perusing an advanced degree in history (Ph.D.), with a concentration in WWI, and WWII U.S. Aviation. I spent several years on Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper. I am a Qualified and Rated Aviator.

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