Vintage Military Shaving Photos

**Ru4scuba?** · 02-19-2009, 04:41 PM

Man this was cool. I'm a beginner WWII historian (really more of a serious dabbler) but this pics were too neat!

**NFlames** · 02-19-2009, 04:49 PM

I'm jealous! I was in the "modern" Marine Corps and still remember shaving in the field...with a crappy disposable...dry.

**invisionz** · 02-19-2009, 04:59 PM

Man I thought I was roughing it with a cold shave last weekend with only slightly less than luke warm water. My shave didn't turn out to be bad and seeing these photos I know that they didn't have hot water and still managed to shave.

No excuses! Shave everyday, hot water or not!

**dmpomeroy** · 02-19-2009, 08:42 PM

Chris - Outstanding! Thanks much for the photographs, brings back lot's of memories from my tour of duty in Nam '67 - '68.

D Pomeroy

**dmpomeroy** · 02-19-2009, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Leche

There's a part in Band of Brothers where one of the officers is trying to generate lather with ice water

. Thanks to all our military personnel for your sacrifices (even the shaving ones) and service to this great nation. Cool pics by the way.

Leche
I believe you are referring to the segment of Band of Brothers depicting the Battle of Bastogne where the 101st Airborne, (Easy Co.) were surrounded and engaged by numerically superior Geman forces. The scene shows Capt. or is it Major Winters attempting to shave with a helmet full of ice water. I can't even begin to imagine how miserable that must have been. A very sincere and grateful Thank You to our Greatest Generation!

**SRock** · 02-19-2009, 09:05 PM

These pics are awesome, thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by thirdeye

These are awesome pictures, Boy do I remember when.......

... you were at Belleau Wood?

J/K Ray

**petr** · 02-20-2009, 07:05 AM

that has to be the youngest marine corp e-7 I've ever seen.

**paul.c** · 02-20-2009, 12:24 PM

They really fast tracked back then

**rm71** · 02-20-2009, 03:11 PM

Fantastic photos. Thanks for posting.

**SRock** · 02-20-2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by petr

that has to be the youngest marine corp e-7 I've ever seen.

You have to remember in major conflicts where tens of thousands of America's bravest lost their lives promotions came very quick.

Today the average E-7 is older, however we have an E-8 in my unit who is only 31 years old. Talk about a fast burner!

**eightysixCJ** · 02-20-2009, 04:26 PM

Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

**bluepunk18** · 03-12-2009, 08:12 PM

My contribution, after searching the internet:

For more amazing pics, I strongly recommend searching the Life Magazine archives. They even have pictures of blind vets straight-shaving

**1OldGI** · 03-12-2009, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by roughrider

Soldier in WW2 shaving to enable an air-tight seal when wearing his gas mask.

http://www.combatreform.com/spork.htm

It should also be noted that few things on the planet suck worse than wearing a gas mask on a freshly shorn face. About 30 seconds after you put on your gas mask, you feel like you did six passes with a dull straight razor and dunked your head into a pool of alcohol. Ah those were the days

**DV8_JERM** · 03-15-2009, 01:35 PM

Cool pics that just goes to show you ,you can get a good shave anywhere with a DE or a Straight.

**bluepunk18** · 03-28-2009, 07:19 PM

I've always wanted to try shaving using a mirror on a car or military jeep...Anyone else?

**SRock** · 03-28-2009, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by bluepunk18

I've always wanted to try shaving using a mirror on a car or military jeep...Anyone else?

I've shaved using the passenger side mirror of an Up Armored HMMWV (Hummer) and a canteen cup full of warm water. Not nearly as nice as a full on proper bathroom shave but it worked.

**Joshua Da Silva** · 04-03-2009, 07:28 PM

These are great photos :) Those would also be great on the wall of an old school barber shop, especially the one of the Italian boys watching. This also makes me with I had my own bathroom to dedicate entirely to shaving so I can hang those pictures.