Today I took the kids to Quantico’s National Museum of the Marine Corps to see one of their recently opened exhibits, showcasing the early years of the Marine Corps.
Established in 1775 by the Continental Congress, the Marine Corps first mission was to invade the British colony of the Bahamas for gunpowder and ammunition!
Feeling as though we were walking through the belly of a ship, with light filtering down from imagined gridded windows above, we walked through the early years of the Marine’s history.
We learned that they are called Leathernecks because of the leather collars Marines wore during the American Revolution.
18th century military stocks
As in…black leather military stocks…like I made for my son?
Worn for who knows how long by the military units in Europe, the Continental Army equally donned military stocks to protect their necks in battle.
We’ve learned at the Colonial Williamsburg Costume Design Center that these military stocks can be comprised of either leather or horsehair.
Leather military stock required for Marine regimental
After the Marines were established, the Naval Committee of the Second Continental Congress designed their regimentals.
In 1776 it was decreed that Marines wear green coats with buff white facings, buff breeches, black gaiters, and a leather stock.
Sailors first called Marines, Leathernecks
Since sailors often undergo hand-to-hand combat during sea battles, when one side or the other overtakes a ship, the neck requires protection from swords.
For that reason, leather was more protective than horsehair.
Noticing that all the Marines boarding their ships wore distinctive leather military stocks, the sailors called them leathernecks.
And thus, a military tradition was born.
header photo taken at the Costume Design Center in Colonial Williamsburg
