1943-1945 18th Field Artillery – 1st Sgt Lawrence “Lefty” Powell

(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
Showing the soutache,athletic felt numerals and the chain stitch unit insignia (Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)

Acquired in the late summer of 2022, this uniform set that includes the jersey, trousers and matching stirrups came to the Chevrons & Diamonds Collection from the collector who obtained it directly from the veteran, former Pacific Coast League star, Larry “Lefty” Powell. In addition to the group that is presented here, the player’s wool undershirt that was part of his 1939-40 San Francisco Seals uniform is not pictured however Powell wore the shirt throughout his World War II service from 1941-45.

Read Threads of Lefty: From Ace Farmhand to the GI World Series

Uniform Features:

Jersey:

  • Buttons: With only one original button remaining, five of the six are replacements of varying styles.
  • Collar: Fading from preference, this jersey features an oversized sun-collar,
  • Material: The base material is cream/home wool-flannel.
  • Soutache: Extending from the base of the sun collar around the edge of the sleeve cuff is a two-inches wide red wool base stripe with a centered one-inch blue rayon stripe.
  • Front Numerals: Instead of a team name spelled.
  • Numerals: Three-dimension, red over blue athletic felt front numbers are 4-1/2 inches while those on the back are 7-inches.The back “1” is separating from the stitching.
  • Sleeves: Nine-1/2 inches, non-gusseted with armpit vents.
  • Tag: Lowe & Campbell in the collar with an odd-size: 39.
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
Perhaps the most appealing aesthetics of this jersey is the large chain stitch-embroidered insignia of the 18th Artillery Battalion affixed to the left sleeve. The 18th FA did not have shoulder insignia until the 1950s. This insignia was likely manufactured by local German craftsmen in the late spring of 1945.
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
The three-dimension, red over blue athletic felt front numbers are 4-1/2 inches while those on the back are 7-inches.

Trousers:

  • Buttons: White-colored plastic, convex, four-hole.
  • Material: The base material is cream/home wool-flannel.
  • Soutache: A two-inch wide red wool base stripe with a centered one-inch blue rayon stripe running from the top of the waistband down the outer seams of the trousers, around the cuff.
  • Tags: Lowe & Campbell in the waistband, size 36.
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
The bright red and blue colors of the belt loops and soutache contrast beautifully against the cream-colored wool flannel.
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
(Chevrons and Diamonds Collection)
Featuring reinforced knees, a rear pocket and broad belt loops, the Lowe & Campbell uniforms were of considerable quality and would have been a bit more expensive than what other service teams sourced.

*This uniform group is presently a part of the Chevrons and Diamonds Collection.

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