Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Doctor Damage]

Unfortunately for me the link only has VIII Chapters going to page 63. I see no way to get to page 94. I have opened the link twice with the same results each time.

I got the whole thing no probs. Try a different browser, like Firefox.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks for the suggestion; Firefox opened the entire document.

Wow, this is a major discovery. Looks like the WWI era changed over to the WWII era on November 21, 1938. Although this is a Coast Guard document, I think the link between the two services is sufficient to suggest the Navy also changed over on or about this date.

Slobo, you have earned your keep with this find.

 

[Spoonbelly]

At this link, you'll find the USCG uniform regs from 1930 as amended through mid 1941. On p. 94 of the .pdf, you will note an amendment dated 11/21/1938 replacing the prior specs for the peacoat (as recognized by the USCG) and substituting the specs as we know WW2-era peacoats to be.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/uniforms/USCG1930UniformRegs.pdf

I am assuming the language replaced was the WW1-era peacoat specs. Since the USCG followed the USN uniform regs rather closely, with the exception of cap devices and gold buttons and corps distinctions, presumably the USN adopted these specs sometime around 1938 or before. Still a mystery to me is whether the 11/21/1938 amendment was playing catch up after a more prolonged period of USN specs being in place, or whether they came close in time to each other.

Thanks for the suggestion; Firefox opened the entire document.

Wow, this is a major discovery. Looks like the WWI era changed over to the WWII era on November 21, 1938. Although this is a Coast Guard document, I think the link between the two services is sufficient to suggest the Navy also changed over on or about this date.

Slobo, you have earned your keep with this find.

Just thought I'd throw this out. Speaking of USCG coats. I bought a WWII USCG coat from ebay. Don't know what year it was but it wound up being a size 44 instead of my size 46. I decided to sell it back on ebay. The material on that coat was INCREDIBLE. Superior and more beautiful then the other USN WWII coat that I have. It bummed me out that it didn't fit.

 

[Slobo]

Unfortunately for me the link only has VIII Chapters going to page 63. I see no way to get to page 94. I have opened the link twice with the same results each time.

I would think the regulations came close in time together and perhaps simultaneously. The two services do communicate and probably collaborated in developing new uniforms as they were basically the same back then, and probably still are.

This appears to me to be a major find which is corroborated by the comments of Spoonbelly above.

If the first link is not getting you the whole document. Try the link(s) off the Coast Guard's website here:
https://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/USCG_Uniform_Index.asp

When I found these the other day, I felt like I had found the key to the kingdom. Thank you Coast Guard -- Semper Paratus.

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, this is excellent. Now put your browser to work and see if you can dig up the corresponding U. S. Navy documents so we can probe my theory that both services adopted the WWII style at about the same time. And I'll bet that the Merchant Marine did the same thing.

 

[Slobo]

Yes, this is excellent. Now put your browser to work and see if you can dig up the corresponding U. S. Navy documents so we can probe my theory that both services adopted the WWII style at about the same time. And I'll bet that the Merchant Marine did the same thing.

Done, and no dice.

 

[Peacoat]

Done, and no dice.

Keep trying. It took me three years to put together the research on vintage Navy peacoats. Don't give up after a few hours.

 

[artemv]

What you can say about this one? Can buy that coat for 50$, wors it?

Spoiler: pics

 

[Peacoat]

What is the provenance of this coat; is it a German peacoat?

 

[artemv]

Exactly, looks same like that one
http://markhitcom.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=2828876

 

[Doctor Damage]

It looks very nice, I like the proportions. The Soviet/Russian ones are nice too, but of low quality.

 

[artemv]

So much has been said about US coats. In before i would like to hear some information about the German ones.

 

[Doctor Damage]

So much has been said about US coats. In before i would like to hear some information about the German ones.

I understand, but with respect this thread is dedicated to USN coats only. We have a thread for "peacoats of the world" which would be a good place to post those pics and perhaps some discussion will generate (link below). I have some pics I should post there, too.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/peacoats-from-the-world.59996/

 

[artemv]

Thank you so much for the link, i'd rather gone chek it.)

 

[Spartcom5]

I'm still interested in acquiring another peacoat for my collection. Were there any different colors or styles of the peacoat from 1940s? I have the WW2 navy one already... any ideas? I'd love a 1930s coat or older. I love peacoats because they are timeless pieces and still look great even in 2016, great pieces to have.

 

[xmr]

I have to thank Peacoat for his info. I just got a ca. 1968 Peacoat made by Pembroke, size 38L. I have a 39,5-40" chest and it fits perfect with just a shirt under it. Sleeve length is perfect as well.

 

[Peacoat]

I'm still interested in acquiring another peacoat for my collection. Were there any different colors or styles of the peacoat from 1940s? I have the WW2 navy one already... any ideas? I'd love a 1930s coat or older. I love peacoats because they are timeless pieces and still look great even in 2016, great pieces to have.

Peacoats remained the same from about 1938 until the end of WW II. Coats prior to 1938 are extremely rare. So rare that I have never seen one.

My dissertation on peacoats is in a sticky at the top of the Outerwear first page in the top post by Dinerman.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Gene Hackman in Heist, one of my top 5 favourite movies.



William H Macy in The Maiden Heist.

 

[responsible D]

Hi Mr. Peacoat, I was hoping I could get your take on something. I've been looking for a vintage peacoat (8 button/kersey/corduroy) in size 40L. Despite having set up what I believe are the appropriate searches on eBay and following them religiously since last winter, I have yet to see a single '50s or '60s era coat in that size. I would have expected to have seen something by now. It's led me to think that maybe L sizes just weren't made back in that era.

Do you have any thoughts about this? Have I just been unlucky, or are vintage Ls super-rare or even nonexistent?

 

[Spoonbelly]

Hi Mr. Peacoat, I was hoping I could get your take on something. I've been looking for a vintage peacoat (8 button/kersey/corduroy) in size 40L. Despite having set up what I believe are the appropriate searches on eBay and following them religiously since last winter, I have yet to see a single '50s or '60s era coat in that size. I would have expected to have seen something by now. It's led me to think that maybe L sizes just weren't made back in that era.

Do you have any thoughts about this? Have I just been unlucky, or are vintage Ls super-rare or even nonexistent?

From my experience a few years ago I would scour ebay and the internet for vintage dark blue Kersey pea coats in long sizes. I did this for 2 or 3 years. The oldest year I have come across in L (longs) is from 1969. My size is a 46. I can wear size 46, but 46L is ideal. I never came across a Long size made before 1969. If they do exist, they are VERY rare. How tall are you? I'm almost 6'-3' and regular lengths are just long enough in the body and the sleeves for me. I do like the L (long) sizes better as I have 2 1969 46Ls. I also have 2 black Melton coats from the '80s which are 46XL (extra long). Surprisingly I find the Melton XL sizes to be the same as the Kersey L sizes in both body length and sleeve length. My other 6 Kersey coats are R (regular) length. Peacoat could probably shed more knowledge on this to you. You might have to settle for a L or XL Melton coat.