The WW1 U.S. Marine Corps Shelter Half was a distinctive variant of the U.S. Army’s early 20th-century field tent system, adapted for Marine Corps use during the campaigns in Haiti, Nicaragua, and later in France during the First World War. Designed as a lightweight, modular shelter quarter, each Marine carried one half, which could be buttoned together with another to form a two-man tent or used individually as a groundsheet or rain cape.
Our replicated shelter half is constructed from olive drab cotton duck canvas, tightly woven and water-repellent, weighing approximately 12–13 oz per square yard (≈400–440 gsm), the USMC shelter half follows the rectangular M1911 Army pattern but with slight dimensional and fastening differences. It includes reinforced grommets at the corners for tent poles and pegs, aluminum buttons along the edges, and a center ridge reinforcement for added durability. Eyelets and buttonhole spacing are compatible with Army issue components but reflect Marine-specific tailoring standards.
The shelter halves were issued along with wooden poles, iron pegs, and guy lines, allowing quick assembly in the field. The design reflected the Marines’ need for practicality and compactness during expeditionary and trench warfare operations.
You can buy only the shelter half or with wooden poles, iron pegs and guy lines. Both options can be chosen in the product selection section.
