WWI German or US soldier?

[Tino]

Hi All,
Could pic be of USMC pre-collar EGA's? Buttons would tell story. Looks close to USMC pre WW1. I side with wrong pic, maybe.
Terry

I am thinking it's a pre WWI USMC uniform as well, I am not sure when they added the piping and when they start using the collar brass or EGA's on the dress blues....

Still odd why this text was kept with this picture for all these years.