Mittens, Shell, Trigger-finger
This style of soldier's mitten originated in World War II as "Mittens, Shell, Trigger Finger", made of olive drab cotton poplin with the palm faced in leather. Originally developed for special purposes with Mountain Troops and Ski Troops, it was adopted eventually for general use in cold weather. The mitten style had a thumb and trigger finger but not the other fingers. There was a single web strap across the back of the wrist area to adjust the opening. (Top photo on this page.)
There were two patterns during World War II. The first pattern had the trigger finger and thumb both located on the palm of the mitten while the second pattern (confusingly called Type 1) moved the trigger finger to the rear of the mitten. The Type 1 also featured a second adjusting strap and a wider leather facing.
An olive drab knit wool liner called "Mittens, Insert, Trigger Finger" was issued with the shells. The inserts were changed to match the relocated trigger finger when the Type 1 was standardized in 1943. A white overshell (Mittens, Over, White) was issued for winter camouflage.
Shell, Mittens, Gloves, Trigger Finger
After World War II the U.S. Army updated the successful trigger finger style mitten using poplin shells with leather facing, but some improvements in the adjustments and a longer overall size so it can go over or inside the sleeves of a field jacket. Specifications MIL-M-810 and MIL-M-810A were manufactured in 1948 and 1951-52 time frame.
As before, the mittens were worn with an olive drab knit wool insert of matching size and shape (photo, left). The inserts were M-1948 made to specification MIL-M-809F, nomenclature "Wool mitten liner, trigger finger, M-1948". At some point the all wool material was replaced by wool blend that was 70% wool and 30% nylon. The inserts were marked with white stencil on their outside near the wrist.
Mitten, Shell, Cold Weather
The use of specification MIL-M-810 continued for years, as in the M-1965 mitten called "Mitten Shells, Cold Weather (Trigger Finger) M-1965" which was manufactured at least until the late 1980s. The specification underwent small modifications at least until MIL-M-810H dated 29 September 1986. These were in the supply system with NSN 8415-00-926-1526 for medium and NS 8415-00-926-1527 for large. This item continues to be issued to the U.S. military in the 2000's. The solid olive drab fabric has been augmented by other colors and camo patterns, as in the photo.
Attachment strings have been added as a standard feature. These can be run through the sleeves of a jacket to keep the mittens from being lost when slipped off temporarily.
The wool trigger finger mitten insert, MIL-M-809F pattern, continues to be used, the same M-1948 design.
Find More Information on the Web
There are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there.
For good results, try entering this: army mittens OR mitten shell. Then click the Search button.
