trentstanton
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I think at this point I'm tired of seeing fuzzy pics of a coat taken on a 1966 Polaroid and description that's says it's all golden. It's very easy to take pics clear as day and remark on any flaws.
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Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat
- Thread starter Matt Jones
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Dudley
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- 91
I know this thread is about peacoats, not E-Bay sellers, but E-Bay is the vehicle to get these jackets. I just received a beautiful WW2 jacket with neck tag. I posted it above. The seller misread the neck tag and gave the wrong size, picture was fuzzy and measurements "were approximate. It turned out to be a different size on the tag and I returned it. Seller gladly took it back. He had a 100% approval rating. The jacket before had several moth holes that were not described and I returned that one too. 0 for 2. You have to look hard to see moth holes. So they get missed. And with sizing, being off by a half inch in chest is the difference between two sizes.
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Dudley
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spotmark
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Anyone looking for a 1949 size 38? Cheap starting bid on this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2254631451...BBR2BxWwyhLjfXpSDOt9ExhRk=|tkp:Bk9SR-SB4cDXYQ
trentstanton
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Anyone know if there was a difference in the WW2 officers peacoat vs a regular one besides the buttons? I've also noted loops on the shoulders. Any structural differences?
Dudley
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I have not seen a surviving neck tag like that. Great offering.
- Messages
- 6,445
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- South of Nashville
Just what you have noted. The officers coats were called reefers and not peacoats. Don't know why. We have never determined the reason.
- Messages
- 6,445
- Location
- South of Nashville
And nor have I.
Interestingly, that isn't the standard WWII neck tag with the inspector info on it that we are used to. Instead it is a tag with cleaning instructions that we thought first appeared in 1950 below the main tag on the inside vest pocket.
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- 6,445
- Location
- South of Nashville
Please post the listing in Classifieds and let the discussion take place there.
I actually bought this exact coat a few weeks ago, but returned it because the sizing was off for me. It is in excellent condition. I paid $68 for it which I thought was a steal.
I 100% agree. I had the same situation happen to me on a 1949 coat I went after. The pictures weren't the best, but the seller listed the coat "clean wool, no moth holes". When I received the coat it was covered in hair and actually had dead moths under the collar. The thing was covered in moth tracks and other damage. The seller wanted to argue with me about the difference between physical holes in the coat and other obvious moth damage and complained about having to process a return and the time it took him to take pictures.
I didn't pay that much for the coat, but it was the principle for me. I thought the seller misrepresented it. I started a case with ebay after the seller wouldn't accept my return request and they sided with me for a full refund. I'm sorry, but with the ease of listing these on your smartphone I just can't tolerate someone complaining about having to take pictures and typing up a good description.
On the other hand, I had one that had some moth damage as well and when I showed it to the seller he gladly refunded me for the coat less the shipping and let me keep it. He apologized profusely and said he hadn't noticed because the coat had hair all over it. So I ended up with a nice warm coat for about $18. Had it dry cleaned and it's going to be perfect to leave out at the lake house for cold evenings by the bonfire.
Dudley
Familiar Face
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Just picked this one up. Couldn’t resist, looks like it was never worn.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4041933189...U_hO_28S42&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4041933189...U_hO_28S42&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
- Messages
- 6,445
- Location
- South of Nashville
Looks like the real deal to me. Too bad those original buttons have been replaced. It is difficult to find replacements. I have several of them, just waiting for the time I get one of those coats and need to replace a few buttons.
But keep in mind that the WWI model remained in use until about 1936 when the WWII model was introduced.
Dudley
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We are thinking the same way. I have some WWI buttons now in my stash waiting for the right jacket. These buttons will polish up nicely with Simicrome polish which I use on my vintage fountain pens. I reached out to this guy about the size of this jacket and he has not gotten back to me.
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- South of Nashville
Good to get a few stashed away for the future.
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- 6,445
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Dudley: Sorry this has taken so long to answer, but my Navy buddy was out of the country for a while and then was involved in selling his farm and finding a smaller property. I asked him this question in an email as soon I saw it, but it was overlooked in the confusion. Just talked to him this morning. He served on an aircraft carrier, so the answer for a smaller ship, such as a destroyer or a submarine might be different.
Each sailor has a personal locker that holds his uniforms, including his peacoat, if desired. There is also a storage room where sea bags and other bulky items are stored Often their peacoats are kept there as they are only worn when coming into port while the ship's company is standing in formation on deck and while on shore leave. To see a large Navy ship coming into port with the ship's crew in their formal uniforms standing at parade rest along the rails, is an impressive sight.
The peacoat is a dress item and not used while actually working on the ship. A deck jacket, or other utility jacket, would be worn while working or standing watch.
On a warm weather cruise, the peacoat wouldn't be among the required uniform items onboard. When ordered to a ship for a cruise, the sailors will be told in the orders the items required for that cruise, including the numbers of each item. At least that is the way it is done in the Army, and I imagine it is the same for the Navy.
If you have other Navy specific questions, let me know. We will be getting together next week if the weather cooperates, and I can ask him then (if I don't know the answer). PC
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Dudley
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Thank you for finding the answer. That means a lot to me. It is also very interesting to learn more about how these jackets are used. I always wondered why so many of these jackets have survived in such good condition. Knowing they were not used for ship work makes a lot of sense. I wonder if that also explains why most peacoats do not have rank patches on them. My father was in the Navy Reserves in the early 60's. As a young boy, I distinctly remember his uniform stored in a box in the attic. He recently passed and I will lay him to rest this spring.
