Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[votan]

glad to be some help. IIRC, the silver button change was navy wide in the 1970s. when the navy changed back to black plastic they eliminated other uniform items, too (eg: the garrison "piss-cutter" cap). as for my issued pea coat, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time! at least i didn't tatoo her name on my armlol

 

[Peacoat]

glad to be some help. IIRC, the silver button change was navy wide in the 1970s. when the navy changed back to black plastic they eliminated other uniform items, too (eg: the garrison "piss-cutter" cap). as for my issued pea coat, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time! at least i didn't tatoo her name on my armlol

Neither did I. Yes, the change to pewter was mandatory on either July 1, 1975 or 1976. I have both dates in my notes. So now from you, we know that they changed back to the black buttons in 1984. Every little bit of information is helpful.

 

[feltfan]

I have some I bought for a restoration job I now realize
is not restorable. For that matter, if anyone needs some
material for a restoration job, this is a nice old (somewhat
dog-chewed) peacoat...

Let me know if you need a couple of buttons after all, or if
anyone else needs parts.

 

[Serendipity]

Hi feltfan, I see you're just across the bay from me. I'd love to get a couple of buttons and save the hassle on eBay - I'll probably be over in the east bay on February 8th if that's a convenient date for you - I could bring my coat to see if the buttons match?

if you email me through the forum I'll send you my email addie.

Thanks!

 

[Peacoat]

Hi feltfan, I see you're just across the bay from me. I'd love to get a couple of buttons and save the hassle on eBay - I'll probably be over in the east bay on February 8th if that's a convenient date for you - I could bring my coat to see if the buttons match?

if you email me through the forum I'll send you my email addie.

Thanks!

Or I can get a couple in the mail to you next week. I know what will match your coat. The PM message feature won't work for you, as you have fewer than 30 posts. Email me at rmiller172 at hotmail.com Replace the "at" with a @ close the spaces, and you have it.

 

[votan]

i work with a guy who was in the navy around 1980 or so. i'll ask him if he remembers anything. i am sure the change in question was before 1984. i never wore my issued coat. i wore an early one; no tag inside but it has light colored corduroy pockets, double stitched cuffs. it looks very much like the 'naval clothing depot' tagged coat i have. my uncle gave it to me in high school. not sure where he got it but it is US Navy issue.

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, it is Navy issue and no later than 1966. Or if the coat will button both ways it is before 1966. 1965 was the last year for that feature.

On the Peacoat Dating thread, and based on your previous information, I have changed the date of return to the black plastic buttons to 1984. It is now set in stone, so please don't get any contrary information from the guy you work with!

 

[jake431]

I believe my pea coat is from 1965 or earlier. It buttons both ways, has corduroy lined pockets and has the early style cuffs. Other than some repair needed for the armpits (the stitching has come loose), the lining is in great shape. And the outside is in great shape. Probably get it dry cleaned after this winter.

Pics:

-Jake

 

[Peacoat]

Yep, about a 1950 to 1952 coat. Have you discovered the sticky--Peacoat Dating--at the top of the Outerwear section? It pretty much brings together most of what I know about the dating of peacoats. That thread has a picture of a tag similar to yours.

 

[jake431]

1950 to 1952? Wow! Thanks for the detailed information. I had no idea. I picked it up off ebay for $70 last year.

Thanks,
-Jake

 

[votan]

1950 to 1952? Wow! Thanks for the detailed information. I had no idea. I picked it up off ebay for $70 last year.

Thanks,
-Jake

yeah, i was surprised that 3 of my coats were that early as well. one still has the same 'naval clothing depot' that yours has. it's a size 44 and in minty shape. i was wearing it quite often until i bought the 'unworn' 1967 size 44 coat with the tags in the pockets. i wear that in the winter now. BTW the "crow" on the sleeve of yours is that of a 'storekeeper first class' or SK1/E6. it's a pre-mid 80s patch because it's one piece. prior to 1984/85 the petty officer (think sgt in the army/USMC) was one piece for all enlisted ratings (ie: SK3 would have one chevron under the 'crow' and it would have been it's own entity). around that time the rating badges were issued as all 1st class/E6 and were cut to remove the extra chevrons for the appropriate rank.

 

[jake431]

yeah, i was surprised that 3 of my coats were that early as well. one still has the same 'naval clothing depot' that yours has. it's a size 44 and in minty shape. i was wearing it quite often until i bought the 'unworn' 1967 size 44 coat with the tags in the pockets. i wear that in the winter now. BTW the "crow" on the sleeve of yours is that of a 'storekeeper first class' or SK1/E6. it's a pre-mid 80s patch because it's one piece. prior to 1984/85 the petty officer (think sgt in the army/USMC) was one piece for all enlisted ratings (ie: SK3 would have one chevron under the 'crow' and it would have been it's own entity). around that time the rating badges were issued as all 1st class/E6 and were cut to remove the extra chevrons for the appropriate rank.

I was told by an old vet they called the Storekeepers "keys" - for obvious reasons. I got the jacket with the insigina on it, and for that reason keep it on. If I am ever approached by a vet, I always IMMEDIATELY admit to having purchased the jacket as is, and that I am not a vet. It hasn't ever been a problem so far, in fact I think the vets enjoy chatting and educating me - and appreciate my interest.

-Jake

 

[votan]

i was reading thru the thread, again, and i need to mention that chief petty officers (E7,8,9) do wear pea coats. in 10 years navy and reserves i never saw a CPO wearing a bridge coat (or warrant officer); only commissioned officers. i suppose a CPO could wear a bridge coat (RHIP-Rank Has Its Privilege) and i don't have a copy of the uniform regs handy but CPOs do wear pea coats and they have gold buttons.

 

[Peacoat]

i was reading thru the thread, again, and i need to mention that chief petty officers (E7,8,9) do wear pea coats. in 10 years navy and reserves i never saw a CPO wearing a bridge coat (or warrant officer); only commissioned officers. i suppose a CPO could wear a bridge coat (RHIP-Rank Has Its Privilege) and i don't have a copy of the uniform regs handy but CPOs do wear pea coats and they have gold buttons.

I got my information on that subject from a retired Master Chief (E-9). he told me that when he made Chief (E-7), he sold his peacoat and got a bridgecoat. I have heard that from several other sources as well.

What you say certainly sounds credible, but, if accurate, I wonder why we don't see more peacoats with gold buttons? I have only seen a few with those buttons.

I will check with him again to see what he says. Or he may see this thread, as I beleive he joined the Lounge a couple of weeks ago.

 

[votan]

i'm not saying CPOs never wear bridge coats. it is possible that a chief, senior chief or master chief could wear a bridge coat. i never saw one wearing one. i'm just saying that CPOs do wear pea coats and they have gold buttons.

 

[Peacoat]

I checked with the Master Chief this afternoon. He retired in 1981! He says no telling what has happened in the intervening 28 years. He will try and find out what the story is, and get some dates if he can.

If I get definitive dates, I will post them here and change the sticky. I will probably change the sticky in the next few days to reflect your information, depending on whether I get some extra time to devote to it. Thanks for keeping us updated.

 

[votan]

sooo, i asked that guy i work with about the uniform change. he was in the navy from '79-'84. he said: "there was a uniform change?". oh well...

 

[bstrickmma]

Gents:

In the Navy, when a First Class Petty Officer "puts on Anchors", i.e., is promoted to Chief Petty Officer, he/she is authorized to wear a bridgecoat. Additionally, he/she may also convert his/her peacoat to a reefer by removing the crow (the petty officer's insignia on the left arm of the peacoat) and replacing w/ gold buttons.

Officers are allowed to wear both the reefer and the bridgecoat as well, but add shoulder boards.

In my experience it is more common to see the Bridgecoat for Chiefs and Officers, but again they are allowed to wear either.

Reefer:
http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter3/3500_seriesArticles/3501_42.htm

Overcoat (Bridgecoat):
http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/bup_updt/508/unireg/chapter3/3500_seriesArticles/3501_39.htm

Just my .02.

V/R,
Ben

 

[Peacoat]

Thank you for the information. I was going to get started searching for the uniform regulations tonight. Your post saved me the time. I appreciate it. This message answers several questions we had.

 

[votan]

hey that's good to know. thanks.