Recent content by David Minton

My pleasure. As an added bonus, a photo of WWII Navy flight jackets and air crew trivia I hope you will appreciate @Peacoat. The first female air crew members in the US military* were a group of eighty WAVES officers trained during WWII as Air Navigators. They earned and wore Naval Air...

I know this is an old thread, but thought an answer to your question would be of interest. WAVES Women did serve in the US Navy during WWII. The initial Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) were sworn in beginning in August 1942, following President Roosevelt's signing of the...

Something to consider; if the buttons have been repositioned, this could account for a discrepancy in some, though probably not many cases. I have looked at some eBay auctions where the spacing between the columns of buttons seemed off. I have also looked at a few that were so far off the jacket...

I have bought close to twenty coats over the last few years, and a few were in this or better condition (I believe some were never issued). They are very well made, and if not worn, and stored well, they look great even decades after they were made. I bought one directly from the original...

Personally, I wear simple mother of pearl discs for business, but I don't put a lot of thought into it.

Actually, US Public Health Service. It is a uniformed service that uses US Navy uniforms, though with different insignia: I believe four cuff stripes (O6) indicates rank of Director.

Short answer is "a fool and his money are soon parted." Because this style of coat hasn't been made for a US Navy contract in around 70 years. If you want a "new" one, you can't buy one at any price; they don't exist. The best you could do is find an unissued one that is at least 70 years old...

This is sort of like asking Mrs. Lincoln if, aside from the death of her husband, did she enjoy the play." Even without the label, I would say your coat is a reproduction. All US Navy pea coats I have encountered, including the four ten button coats I have owned have had two interior pockets...

You just have to be patient, though prices are probably highest in the winter. I bought my last coat in October (destined to be gifted); a late 1950s-early 1960s size 42 in nice (though not great) condition for under $40 with shipping. Deals are out there. I wear a size 38 myself, so deals are...

I have not lengthened the sleeves, but before you do, check the wear at the edge. If there is wear, you will get a stripe of worn area once the sleeve is lengthened. Personally, I would get another coat before I corrected a coat that was already altered. If you are a common size, you can get...

I bid on one once on eBay, but didn't win. I should have saved photos of it. It was probably a transitional piece with a new body style with a leftover old style collar. Or, it might have been a repair job, it was hard to tell from the photos. So while I believe they exist, they are likely very...

It was below freezing outside when I made it to the coat closet on the way out this morning, so I decided to wear my 1943 dated Bridge Coat to work. Between dropping off my daughter at day care and walking up the stairs to my office five people complimented me on the coat I was wearing. It goes...

I collect US Navy issued peacoats and I can't recall ever seeing Proper as the maker listed on the label. Then again, I collect coats from before the manufacture was added to the label (I believe around 1968), so I am not an expert in this area. I believe Sterlingware of Boston holds the...

I have bought around twenty vintage military coats (Navy Peacoats and Bridge Coats, and Army Officer Coats) on eBay, and have had good luck so far.

Chief Petty Office Reefer Coats won't have the loops, as only officers (and warrant officers?) wear shoulder boards on Reefer Coats. Most Reefer Coats are modified Peacoats, except those issued to Midshipmen, as far as I know. I am not sure about now, but I believe at least up until a certain...