Help me identify this black DB jacket - Merchant Marine?

[Warbaby]

I found this black twill DB jacket at the thrift shop a couple of days ago and bought it because I really liked the buttons. It also fits me perfectly. From the label it appears to be some sort of official issue jacket and I don't want to wear it until I know what it is and whether or not it's appropriate to wear.

The text on the label reads:

P & J CLAYMAN INC
coat, man's, s.d., black, fwwt, gen
840D.21.899.0203
SIZE % wool 35% polyester
February 1960

 

[Dinerman]

They have racks of those down at the local army-navy shop, all from the '80s- early '90s, labels looked the same as yours. Good heavyweight material, from the feel, fooled me into thinking they were earlier from the way the fabric felt.

And are you sure that says February 1960? I'm seeing 1980? The polyester content, the style of the label, and the washing instructions would seem to go along with a date later than 1960.

 

[Matt Deckard]

A swell blazer... I'd swap out the buttons, I've never been into that gold button look.

 

[thunderw21]

I have a U.S. Navy one just like that from the '30s/'40s that was turned into a yachting suit. Definitely swap out the buttons and wear in good health!

 

[Warbaby]

Excellent suggestion, guys - why didn't I think of that? While the brass buttons are really nifty, I like the jacket even better and, as you say, with other buttons it would be eminently wearable for more occasions than it would with the original buttons. I'm going to try to find suitable buttons that have a post or loop on the back so I can use the existing removable button system. Interestingly, the holes for attaching the buttons are tiny, bound slits rather than round holes so those brass buttons stay properly oriented and upright at all times.

 

[de Stokesay]

It looks to me that what you have there is a Canadian Forces issue Navy dress uniform jacket. I used to be in the Canadian Army and on Armistice Day we used to try to pick up the Navy women, so honestly I was always more interested in what was inside the jacket than the jacket itself. Nice jacket though.

 

[GBR]

Classic style but I doubt any official purpose other than perhaps some civilian role. Anything more formal would surely have had provision for greater adornment so beloved of uniformed organisations.

 

[Dinerman]

GBR, it's definitely Canadian Navy issue item. Here's a shot of what it looks like in the uniform. Surplus ones, at least all the ones they have at my surplus store, have the insignia and rank markings removed (as are the buttons).

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/images/phl/T790578A.gif

 

[Warbaby]

I checked mine over carefully and can't find any signs of it ever having had insignia sewn/pinned on. It's definitely been worn, though not excessively. The buttons are pristine and look as if they're newer than the jacket. Really beautiful buttons - finely detailed and gold plated, rather than plain polished brass. Might make nice cufflinks...

The more I look at the cut of this jacket, the more I like it. Once I find the right buttons to demilitarize it, I'll post before and after photos.