Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Matt Jones]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a vintage U.S Navy pea coat, and was curious about its age. Are there any resources that could help me figure this out? The coat's inner markings by themselves don't reveal much of anything. Any help is appreciated.

[Holzkopf]

Would you happen to have a picture of it that you could show us? I have one myself and I'm not sure of the date either.

[shamus]

if your jacket is a real US model it will have a tag that gives the model, mil number and the year is usually hidden in that.

Is your tag white or Black. If it's black with yellow letters it's pre mid 60's. But a pea coat hasn't really changed in all those years.

[MudInYerEye]

No expert here, but I've heard that older models have pockets lined in corduroy (I suspect I may have mispelled this word.)

[shamus]

true, I believe that they are or at least a heavy cotton. Not satin like a new one. Also if your tag is not at by the collar or right bottom, it might be in the left pocket.

The buttons might be of a bakelight material instead of the modern black plastic too.

[BellyTank]

A wartime label should be white-ish cotton/oilcloth with USN blurb and an inspector's mark. The wool on the older Peas is denser and flatter- less fuzzy.

As Shamus said, look for labels/tags in the pockets and inside seams-

B
T

[jake431]

Anyone know of a good place to look for older Pea Coats? Am I about to be directed to ebay again?

-Jake

[Matt Jones]

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.



Here is the "inner" button, with a low pocket underneath, located on your left hip if you're wearing the coat.



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

To the left is a black stamp "12" (must be the inspector). Around the edges, hand written in blue ink are the owner's name and at the bottom is:

B33 37 07 Co. 184

The name and number are also stamped on the lining below the tag, and again near the vent.

That's about it. The kersey wool is thick, dense, flat and extremely heavy -- not the fluffy/fuzzy stuff you see on modern pea coats. Weighs a ton! I love it.

[gdkenoyer]

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.

That may be, but my wife has her brother's peacoat issued to him during Vietnam; it has very nice cordury lining in the pockets...

[guitone]

How do the fit on these older militray peacoasts run? Would a 36 be a true 36?