The First Ghillie Suits Ever Worn

The First Ghillie Suits Ever Worn

A ghillie suit is known as a camouflaged outfit, one worn by snipers, hunters and soldiers so that they can’t be easily detected.  The word ghillie actually comes from a Scots Gaelic term meaning “boy”.  This was in reference to boy servants that assisted in hunting and fishing expeditions.  The etymology was likely derived from the tree spirit Ghillie Dhu, who had the ability to disguise itself in leaves and other forms of vegetation.

What was the first recorded instance of ghillie suits?  For camouflaged outfits, the history dates back to the 1800s and well before, if you take into account camouflage abilities of animal, insect and aquatic life.  However, the specific invention of the ghillie suit first appeared in the 20^th century.  The ghillie suit was created by Scottish gamekeepers and conceptualized as a portable hunting blind.  The first known use of the ghillie suit in military operations was by the Lovat Scouts, a regiment formed by the British Army during the Second Boer War that look place between 1899 and 1902.  Coincidentally, the Lovat Scouts were the first sniper unit used by the British Army. 

It’s no surprise that ghillie suits are still associated with sniper operations.  If the target can see where the shooter is situated it will be easier to avoid getting hit.  This is true in every circumstance, from military operations to paintball gaming.  The idea of the ghillie suit is that it camouflages the shooter’s entire body, from the pants up to the upper body and even the head.  While some hunting enthusiasts can get by on just a ghillie poncho or jacket, others want the full ghillie suit (including rifle wrap) so their target never sees what’s coming.

Full ghillie suits can run anywhere from $60.00 to $100.00.  SniperGhillies.com has a large selection of half ghillie suits, full suits and ghillie accessories