Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

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I haven't heard of this. I know on the WW II coats the collars and the lapels were a bit smaller because of the design of the coat. Otherwise, all WW II peacoats had the same size collars and lapels And the post WW II coats all had the same size collars and lapels.

Perhaps the references were discussing the difference between the WW II coats and the post war coats?

I've only seen a few mentions, and can only reference Ton312's post #2334 in this thread.

He mentioned and photo'd collar variations on his 2 8-button coats. I have randomly seen some photos and listings of coats that, to my eye, are clearly smaller (perhaps also squarer) than the majority. I hope the poster doesn't mind me re-attaching his photos here, 1st the typical collar like mine, 2nd the shorter collar:

 

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Interesting observation, wool color:

I just received a 2nd, identically-sized peacoat, same era. It's slightly, but noticeably, less blue than my first. Sorry for ****py picture: First coat (bluer) on left, new coat (blacker) on right.

It's not a wear/washing issue; perhaps each manufacturer had a different wool supplier, or the same supplier had variation in their dyes.

Thought it might be interesting to some. I prefer the bluer coat, but the new one is in mint condition

 

[STSinNYC]

Recently I got a DSCP pea coat, 46 X L (I am tall, have a long torso, need the 36.5 inch length). I looked for older Kersey pea coats to no avail. I read that this generation of Navy pea coats were made with 22 oz. Melton. A warm layer will be needed underneath on cold windy days. My question: Have any of you had your pea coats interlined? I have been thinking about a 10-15 ounce wool layer. The material isn't too expensive. But the labor could cost $150-200, which would be double the cost of the coat($90).

 

[Peacoat]

Recently I got a DSCP pea coat, 46 X L (I am tall, have a long torso, need the 36.5 inch length). I looked for older Kersey pea coats to no avail. I read that this generation of Navy pea coats were made with 22 oz. Melton. A warm layer will be needed underneath on cold windy days. My question: Have any of you had your pea coats interlined? I have been thinking about a 10-15 ounce wool layer. The material isn't too expensive. But the labor could cost $150-200, which would be double the cost of the coat($90).

Your DSCP peacoat should have been manufactured with the lining installed. No need to do anything. With this liner they are warm coats.

It is thin, but you will be able to feel it under the outer lining and between the shell.

 

[STSinNYC]

Your DSCP peacoat should have been manufactured with the lining installed. No need to do anything. With this liner they are warm coats.

It is thin, but you will be able to feel it under the outer lining and between the shell.

Thanks for the information, appreciated.

I recall you mentioned you flew helos in VN. One of my relatives did 2 tours there flying helos. Dan Teske.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks for the information, appreciated.

I recall you mentioned you flew helos in VN. One of my relatives did 2 tours there flying helos. Dan Teske.

One year was more than enough for me. I wouldn't have survived a second tour.

Do you know which class he was in or the years he was in VN? I could look him up in the Directory, but I would have to get up and find my password. That is too much for me right now. Maybe I will think of it later.

 

[STSinNYC]

One year was more than enough for me. I wouldn't have survived a second tour.

Do you know which class he was in or the years he was in VN? I could look him up in the Directory, but I would have to get up and find my password. That is too much for me right now. Maybe I will think of it later.

He was an Army helo pilot, I don't know the exact years he served in VN, no earlier than 1966, probably 1967-70. I recall he was deployed for at least two tours, possibly three, he really loved the missions, the flying. He was stationed in Germany after VN before he got out. He was a civilian helo pilot afterwards. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago, hr had many health issues later in life, so I have limited info.

Grateful that you made it back safely.

One of my nephews is a Navy helicopter pilot, recently finished assignment as commander of a training squadron in Florida. Several other nephews recently retired or still serving. One(Marine) just returned from 6 mo deployment in the Gulf.

 

[Peacoat]

I did a search in the data base for a Dan Teske without results. Are you spelling the name correctly?

 

[STSinNYC]

I did a search in the data base for a Dan Teske without results. Are you spelling the name correctly?

Yes. Teske, Daniel.

 

[STSinNYC]

Yes. Teske, Daniel.

My apologies. I just found his obit from 2019. Danny was a door ***ner and crew chief. Not a pilot while in the Army. He definitely did two combat tours in VN, I remember that being discussed several times, the family didn't understand why he volunteered for another tour in VN flying missions. So he learned to be a helo pilot after VN. Apologies again for the time you spent looking in the DB.

 

[STSinNYC]

My apologies. I just found his obit from 2019. Danny was a door ***ner and crew chief. Not a pilot while in the Army. He definitely did two combat tours in VN, I remember that being discussed several times, the family didn't understand why he volunteered for another tour in VN flying missions. So he learned to be a helo pilot after VN. Apologies again for the time you spent looking in the DB.

Surprised at Fedora Lounges sensitivities. Dan operated the door MG (it was a MG at that time, correct, not a mini/Gatling type weapon.

 

[Peacoat]

My apologies. I just found his obit from 2019. Danny was a door ***ner and crew chief. Not a pilot while in the Army. He definitely did two combat tours in VN, I remember that being discussed several times, the family didn't understand why he volunteered for another tour in VN flying missions. So he learned to be a helo pilot after VN. Apologies again for the time you spent looking in the DB.

Not a problem. only took a few seconds to enter his name.

 

[STSinNYC]

Not a problem. only took a few seconds to enter his name.

And thank you for sharing all your knowledge about pea coats. And wisdom.

 

[ProperRogue]

Hello, I recently came across a pea coat that I am trying to date and hope someone can help me. It seems to be pre-NSN and FSN, so there doesn't seem to be a clear date.

I have attached an image of the tag. As far as I can tell it looks authentic, just very vintage.

Thank you in advance for the help.

PR

 

[spoonbelly1950]

Hello, I recently came across a pea coat that I am trying to date and hope someone can help me. It seems to be pre-NSN and FSN, so there doesn't seem to be a clear date.

I have attached an image of the tag. As far as I can tell it looks authentic, just very vintage.

Thank you in advance for the help.

PR

Forget it. I'ts one of the common phony peacoats. Don't even think about it.

 

[Peacoat]

The Spoon is right. it may be a Fidelity pretending to be a real peacoat.

 

[STSinNYC]

Your DSCP peacoat should have been manufactured with the lining installed. No need to do anything. With this liner they are warm coats.

It is thin, but you will be able to feel it under the outer lining and between the shell

I went for a walk tonight in the 2004 DSCP pea coat, 46 XL, Sterlingwear. Torso was comfortable (warm) but arms felt cool. The sleeve opening is too wide as we know but I had gloves on (35 degrees). I compared the sleeves to the body of the coat. I could not feel the fleece lining in the sleeves, the lining which is in the body. Just the satin lining. Aargh! I would like this to be a true winter coat so I guess I will have the sleeves interlined with a wool or wool fleece layer. Unless I can persuade Spoon to sell me one of his 46L Kersey coats!

 

[Peacoat]

I went for a walk tonight in the 2004 DSCP pea coat, 46 XL, Sterlingwear. Torso was comfortable (warm) but arms felt cool. The sleeve opening is too wide as we know but I had gloves on (35 degrees). I compared the sleeves to the body of the coat. I could not feel the fleece lining in the sleeves, the lining which is in the body. Just the satin lining. Aargh! I would like this to be a true winter coat so I guess I will have the sleeves interlined with a wool or wool fleece layer. Unless I can persuade Spoon to sell me one of his 46L Kersey coats!

Check and see if there is another lining under the satin lining. The satin lining may be on top of another lining to facilitate putting the arms in and out of the sleeves. Don't know if that is accurate, only a quick theory.

I have a post 1979 (DSCP) peacoat I could take a look at, but I would have to go through the bedroom where my wife is asleep. I am an early riser and don't want to disturb her.

You have discovered the design deficiency of the peacoat–too much extra room in the sleeves, and, to a lesser extent, the body. The extra room in the body can be filled by wearing a sweater, which actually makes the peacoat a warm garment.

For my winter wear in NYC a peacoat and a sweater kept me warm on most nights. It had to as that is all I had to wear. Of course when outside on the streets, we were always walking.

Rather than having the sleeves interlined, I would look into installing knit cuffs instead. This would block all air movement in the sleeves. That is a relatively simple and inexpensive solution.

Please let us know how it works out.

 

[spoonbelly1950]

The Spoon is right. it may be a Fidelity pretending to be a real peacoat.

As we learn all of this useful info from Peacoat........

 

[STSinNYC]

Check and see if there is another lining under the satin lining. The satin lining may be on top of another lining to facilitate putting the arms in and out of the sleeves. Don't know if that is accurate, only a quick theory.

I have a post 1979 (DSCP) peacoat I could take a look at, but I would have to go through the bedroom where my wife is asleep. I am an early riser and don't want to disturb her.

You have discovered the design deficiency of the peacoat–too much extra room in the sleeves, and, to a lesser extent, the body. The extra room in the body can be filled by wearing a sweater, which actually makes the peacoat a warm garment.

For my winter wear in NYC a peacoat and a sweater kept me warm on most nights. It had to as that is all I had to wear. Of course when outside on the streets, we were always walking.

Rather than having the sleeves interlined, I would look into installing knit cuffs instead. This would block all air movement in the sleeves. That is a relatively simple and inexpensive solution.

Please let us know how it works out.

There is a noticeable difference in the fabric thickness in the sleeves vs the body, the fabric under the lining, feeling it using both hands. I skimmed the 1993 FIT report for the Navy on peacoat design. One of the changes mentioned was removing the insulation in the sleeves. So Melton coats prior to the mid 90s may have had the insulation layer in the sleeves which the later coats lack.
I had also thought about sleeve cuffs, I appreciate the reco. I have cuffs in other winter coats. I had the sleeves shortened about 1.5 inches. Perhaps the sleeves can be narrowed some also when I have cuffs sewn in. Will report back.