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WWI Cloth Department
Rock Island Arsenal manufactured a wide variety of personal equipment carried by the US soldier during the First World War. The cloth department, seen here on November 21, 1917, was responsible for the manufacture of an enormous amount of equipment, such as, 858,000 haversacks, 649,000 canteen covers, and 400,000 pack carriers. -
WWI Recoil Mechanism
The French Model 1897, 75mm field gun was adopted for US use due to its advanced artillery design. Rock Island Arsenal received its first order of 1,000 French 75 recuperators (or recoil mechanisms) on February 27, 1918. Because it was a precision mechanism, skilled mechanics were required to manufacture, assemble, and adjust it. -
Harnesses Produced
Until August 1, 1918, all harness supplied to US forces was made at Rock Island Arsenal. Its harness manufacturing department was the greatest and most completely equipped in the world. During the war, 98,000 sets of artillery harness were assembled. -
WWI Manufacturing
The mission to manufacture artillery carriages and to assemble the complete unit with the tube continued at the arsenal during the First World War. Arsenal workers assembled French 75mm field guns in Shop I (Building 110), and the total production of this new type of artillery was 159 field guns. -
WWI Women
For the first time in its history, Rock Island Arsenal employed women in the shop areas during the First World War. Women employees were required to wear uniforms that they purchased themselves. Some were given responsible jobs, such as these women who are star gauging or inspecting the rifling of artillery barrels. -
Faithful Service Awards
COL Harry B. Jordan presented faithful service awards to employees. Four men, Patrick Henehan, Milton Howard, Emil Beck (obscured), and Hiram Shunk, received 50-year gold service awards. Thirteen men received 40-year silver service awards, and 23 men received 30-year bronze service awards. -
