Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

Spoonbelly · Oct 30, 2016

Atticus Finch said:
Actually, peacoats first became available in regular, long and short in the late fifties or very early sixties. Here's the spec tag from a 1962 coat that denotes it as a 36 regular. The tags on earlier coats...i.e., from the mid fifties...simply state a numerical size.

http://s48.photobucket.com/user/g-1/media/IMG_1437_zpsheevckty.jpg.html]

AF

I have seen tags with the "R" after the numerical size but I have never seen a tag from the '50s or '60s that had an "L" or "S".

Peacoat · Oct 30, 2016

Spoonbelly said:
I have seen tags with the "R" after the numerical size but I have never seen a tag from the '50s or '60s that had an "L" or "S".

Nor have I. All I have seen are the tags with the "R" after the size. However, Atticus and I are logical thinkers, so we logically conclude that if there are tags that have an "R" after the size, it must be there for a reason. That reason is to differentiate it from the Long and short sizes. Even though we have never seen a "L" or "S" they must be out there; right?

Doctor Damage · Oct 30, 2016

(face palm)

Atticus Finch · Oct 31, 2016

Peacoat said:
Nor have I. All I have seen are the tags with the "R" after the size. However, Atticus and I are logical thinkers, so we logically conclude that if there are tags that have an "R" after the size, it must be there for a reason. That reason is to differentiate it from the Long and short sizes. Even though we have never seen a "L" or "S" they must be out there; right?

I expect that if longs and shorts were made, they were made in smaller quantities than were regulars. But it sure seems like one of us here would have seen one. I don't recall ever seeing an early-sixties short or long peacoat, either. But, then again, I've never looked for one. My thinking is, indeed, as Peacoat says. To me, it makes no sense to begin placing a "R" beside the stated numerical size unless you want to differentiate that size from shorts or longs in that size.

AF

Ben Langworthy · Nov 1, 2016

I managed to find a 10 button Pea Coat in a charity shop yesterday for £16. I've not seen many ww2 era Pea Coats in the UK so i was pretty chuffed. Interestingly it is missing it's label and there's no sign of any stenciling however judging by the weight and quality of the cloth, the cuff stiching and the presence of the corduroy pocket lining it definitely looks to be a USN example, to my humble ameture eyes at least. Here's some photos

Ben Langworthy · Nov 1, 2016

Ben Langworthy said:
I managed to find a 10 button Pea Coat in a charity shop yesterday for £16. I've not seen many ww2 era Pea Coats in the UK so i was pretty chuffed. Interestingly it is missing it's label and there's no sign of any stenciling however judging by the weight and quality of the cloth, the cuff stiching and the presence of the corduroy pocket lining it definitely looks to be a USN example, to my humble ameture eyes at least. Here's some photos

Actually i've been wearing it around today and it is on the large side for my tiny frame! If anyone had a 36 they'd be interested in swapping id be really interested. Sorry if this is the wrong place to mention that !

Peacoat · Nov 1, 2016

That is a good score. From the pics I would say it is the real thing. You did well.

Ben Langworthy · Nov 1, 2016

Peacoat said:
That is a good score. From the pics I would say it is the real thing. You did well.

Thanks Peacoat! I've been after one for a long long time, shame it's on the baggy side!

Spartcom5 · Nov 10, 2016

Peacoat! Could you recommend some garment bags for for max protection against moths? I was looking to buy these ones http://www.containerstore.com/s/nat...rment-bags/d?productId=10000082&q=garment bag Recommend any hangers as well? I don't think my problem is moths instead I see carpet beetles sometimes around my house. These buggers ate one of my sweaters but that was months ago and I haven't had any problems so far. Any advice would be great thanks!!

Peacoat · Nov 10, 2016

I think the plastic garment bags do better at keeping the moths out, as the moths don't seem to like them. During the months you aren't wearing the coat, drop a mothball in the bottom of the bag. The plastic bag keeps the odor inside the garment bag so it doesn't permeate the entire closet. Even if the moths were able to get inside the bag, they won't go near it with a mothball inside the bag.

I have so many peacoats, I have to protect my entire closet. I do this by using a non odor moth protector.

For coat hangers, I like the wide, really wide wooden hangers. At the shoulder, they are 2" to 3" wide. They are about $5 to $10 apiece. Some here make their own wide hangers. They take a regular wooden hanger and wrap (lengthways) an appropriate size piece of pipe insulation around the shoulder part of the hanger. Hold it in place with duct tape. Works like a charm.

Spoonbelly · Nov 11, 2016

Peacoat said:
Very few of the coats have the label at the neck. It is, as you said, because of the material it is made of.

Don't worry much about damaging the coat while it is being worn; worry instead about protecting from moth damage when not being worn. As you have two of them, you will be a long time wearing them out. Probably take several lifetimes for that to happen.

Hey Peacoat,
How are you? I didn't know there were non odor moth protectors. Are they as effective as moth balls? I guess you can get them at Wal Mart or Home Depot, or maybe even the super market?? I don't go nuts over the smell of moth balls but I also would not miss the smell. Some people can't handle it.

Peacoat · Nov 11, 2016

I'm doing great. Finally getting some cooler weather. Had frost for the last couple of nights. Now if it would only rain, things would be nice.

My wife gets the non odor moth protectors at Kroger. I imagine they are available at other locations as well. It is a name brand product, the name of which I can't remember.

Some are put off by a warning on the package that the State of California has determined that the contents may cause cancer. Well, I have seen this warning on many packages containing innocuous materials. One strip will protect a good size room. As my closets are substantially smaller than a room, I cut the strip into three or four sections so there won't be an overdose. It doesn't just repel the moths, but kills them. That is an end to the problem.

mihai · Nov 12, 2016

Speaking about moth protection.
I iron all my pea coats after receiving/inspecting them. It's supposed to kill eggs/larvae.
I store them in nylon clothes bags with some lavender(actual flowers) bags around. I'm not sure how effective this is in practice. I'd like to avoid chemical compounds due to possible side effects. Anybody used lavender with success?

Trenchfriend · Nov 13, 2016

I'm the only one, who pops up the collar of his peacoat?

Trenchfriend · Nov 14, 2016

Yep, wonderful.

Coldness-test with my peacoat, -4°C, wet and windy countryside. All is fine!

Spoonbelly · Nov 14, 2016

Trenchfriend said:
I'm the only one, who pops up the collar of his peacoat?

Just had the collar popped up this past Fri. night. Needed it and a scarf as we were walking over the Hudson River. I also have 1 WWII coat but have never used the hood latch as of yet. I think I will give that a workout very soon as winter weather is now making it's way up here in New York.

Spartcom5 · Nov 19, 2016

Peacoat or anyone who can help! I need your advice on this issue. For awhile I have been looking for a portable closet to store my woolen good to keep extra safe. I came across this http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30246468/#/30288953 holds up to 66lbs on the bar. On average how much does a WW2 peacoat weigh hanging up? Also, I noticed the closet is made out of polyester this is good because moths will never eat through it, however it doesn't breathe. The bottom is completely open but I was planning on covering up the bottom with a breathable cotton just to seal that off. My only problem is that do you think this closet will allow enough air circulation and not build up moisture? Darn polyester! I'm hoping since the entire bottom can breathe this should be enough but I need some more opinions..... I could store them in a real closet but I figure I could keep moths out for good with this closet.
P.S. the coats will be is garment bags that can breathe and any plastic on them is made of PEVA which is safe as well. https://www.amazon.com/Essex-Wares-...8&qid=1479526169&sr=8-43&keywords=garment+bag

Peacoat · Nov 19, 2016

in a cursory read through, I didn't notice the bags were open at the bottom. Obviously you saw that. As to your question about moisture build up, I think you will be OK there. Put in a mothball or two, and you should be good to go.

Haven't weighed a peacoat in a while, but I think they come in at about 8 to 10 pounds. Good for you in planning ways to keep the woolens safe from the moths.

Spartcom5 · Nov 19, 2016

8 to 10 pounds? I got on a scale the other day with my coat. It was in a garment bag and had a wooden hanger and it weighed 4.6 pounds or so? Is it a matter of size?

Peacoat · Nov 19, 2016

I stand corrected. Just weighed two of mine, and they came out at about 4 lbs. Don't know what I was thinking when I said 8 to 10 lbs.

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