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Matt Jones said:You guys are great, thanks!
Here are more details of my coat:
It's your standard pea coat design -- double breasted, single vent. There are six buttons visible on the front, with another button hidden under each collar. The color is navy of course, and the buttons look black to me. The coat is fully lined (something silky, dark navy/black in color). It's a beauty and in excellent condition!
The handwarmer pockets are lined in a tan corduroy. I've heard from a few sources that this was only done in the 40's.
The tag is located just below the right inside breast pocket. It's white cloth with black lettering, yellowed with age. The text is faded, but I can make out most of it:
COAT, MAN'S,
WOOL KERSEY
DSA 100-2739
Size 36R
100% WOOL
Hey Matt, I finally found my tag notes I made on these great old coats. You have a 1966 coat. I thought that was probably the year, but was reluctant to make a definitive statement until I located my notes. It just took me longer to find my notes than I thought.
The tag, as you described it, is substantially different from the tags that preceeded it. It is very similar to the tags that came after it, but it is unique in that it is the only year of that version of the tag that the date code is not included in the DSA or DLA contract number. Also, it is the next to last year that corduroy was used in the outside pockets. 1967 was the last corduroy year, and a white/gray cotton was used after that.
1966 was a good year for peacoats, and a bunch were made that year, in anticipation of the Vietnam buildup. My favorite year is the 1965 coat. The heading of the tag for that year simply reads: "US NAVY" I have one of those that my best buddy was issued in April, 1965. He gave it to me in November, 2005. I have only found one other 1965 coat in my size on e-bay, and I didn't bid enough on it. They seem to be relatively rare, but I will get another one of the these days. The coat I am wearing this morning is a 1967 coat. It is one of my favorites as that is the year I was in Vietnam.
Take care of your coat by keeping it in a moth protected closet, or keeping it in a moth protected garment bag, and having it cleaned once a year before you store it during warm weather. Cleaning removes particles of food and other matter that moths are drawn to. I have seen more coats damaged by moths than any other way. Reweaving can be done, but it is expensive and best avoided.
Put a heavy turtleneck on under your peacoat, turn the big collar up, and you are ready for the worst winter can throw at you. Enjoy it. I enjoy all 15 or so of the ones that I have!
If I knew how to post an avatar, I would submit a picture of me in one of my coats. Later, Peacoat.