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Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
A good dry cleaning will work wonders for those coats.

I hope you didn't try the cuff lengthening yourself, but took it to a seamstress. That is a heavy wool shell you have to work through.
 

O'DubhGhaill

Familiar Face
Messages
75
Location
Central New York State
So the WWII coat arrived and I am completely blown away! The pictures posted by the seller (that I cut and pasted above) are just terrible - while the coat actually is a very little bit dusty with some lint (not nearly as bad as the lighting in the photo seemed to enhance), it is a deep dark almost black (I realize that it is very dark blue, but appears unfaded), no fading inside or out, as the photos might suggest, and I assess it as practically unworn with absolutely no stains, wear spots, mothing, fraying, or damage of any kind! It is relatively stiff all around the coat. The label pictured above, is in actuality much darker with sharp clear print - the coat looks brand new and never dry-cleaned! Perhaps this sailor served in the Pacific and never had use for the coat there, so it lived in a seabag or sea locker back home? I couldn't figure what was the silk looking thing sticking out of the pocket as pictured above - I was worried it was a pocket lining repair gone bad and not original. Turns out that inside both perfect, yellow-corduroy-lined pockets were two 3' x 3' square black silk scarves, nicely stitched all around the edges, one of which was stenciled with the same sailor's name as the inside of the coat and the label. Turns out they are the WWII silk squares used to roll up and wear around the neck knotted at the front (both show numerous ~2" folding impressions across the scarf). There was also a ~ 1" x 14" silk band with "U S NAVY" professionally stenciled on it - research suggest that it might be the silk band used around the brim of the WWII issued "Donald Duck" flat cap worn by USN enlisted? There was also a small padded black silk purse thingy pouch, about 6" x 3". The buttons appear to be original, tight stitching and there is a completely intact throat latch buttoned under the collar. I very reluctantly took it to the dry cleaners today, but stressed the vintage perfection of the coat and the cleaner made note to take special care - I decided to clean it as I was concerned about unseen contaminants such as fine dust or even asbestos that might be deep in the wool. The coat has a faint, what I would call, dusty WWII scent, not moldy or mildewey whatsoever, just a faint old smell to it. Unbelievable! I am stunned. I think it might be a WWII-size 42 as it fits me like a 40 and I have a 39" chest, 31" waist (5'9" 147lbs.) and usually wear a 38L. No size label found. Pics to follow...
 
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Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
Sounds as if you hit a home run with this peacoat. Congratulations. Post the exact p2p measurements, and I will tell you the tagged size of your coat. See my guide toward the end for the correct way to take the measurement.
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,638
So the WWII coat arrived and I am completely blown away! The pictures posted by the seller (that I cut and pasted above) are just terrible - while the coat actually is a very little bit dusty with some lint (not nearly as bad as the lighting in the photo seemed to enhance), it is a deep dark almost black (I realize that it is very dark blue, but appears unfaded), no fading inside or out, as the photos might suggest, and I assess it as practically unworn with absolutely no stains, wear spots, mothing, fraying, or damage of any kind! It is relatively stiff all around the coat. The label pictured above, is in actuality much darker with sharp clear print - the coat looks brand new and never dry-cleaned! Perhaps this sailor served in the Pacific and never had use for the coat there, so it lived in a seabag or sea locker back home? I couldn't figure what was the silk looking thing sticking out of the pocket as pictured above - I was worried it was a pocket lining repair gone bad and not original. Turns out that inside both perfect, yellow-corduroy-lined pockets were two 3' x 3' square black silk scarves, nicely stitched all around the edges, one of which was stenciled with the same sailor's name as the inside of the coat and the label. Turns out they are the WWII silk squares used to roll up and wear around the neck knotted at the front (both show numerous ~2" folding impressions across the scarf). There was also a ~ 1" x 14" silk band with "U S NAVY" professionally stenciled on it - research suggest that it might be the silk band used around the brim of the WWII issued "Donald Duck" flat cap worn by USN enlisted? There was also a small padded black silk purse thingy pouch, about 6" x 3". The buttons appear to be original, tight stitching and there is a completely intact throat latch buttoned under the collar. I very reluctantly took it to the dry cleaners today, but stressed the vintage perfection of the coat and the cleaner made note to take special care - I decided to clean it as I was concerned about unseen contaminants such as fine dust or even asbestos that might be deep in the wool. The coat has a faint, what I would call, dusty WWII scent, not moldy or mildewey whatsoever, just a faint old smell to it. Unbelievable! I am stunned. I think it might be a WWII-size 42 as it fits me like a 40 and I have a 39" chest, 31" waist (5'9" 147lbs.) and usually wear a 38L. No size label found. Pics to follow...
Wow!! What a find. Please post pics of all the extras with the coat. You really hit the mother-load on that one. We all dream of a packed away, never used item and rarely even see them.
Outstanding!!
Bowen
 

Kennyz

Familiar Face
Messages
75
Location
Ohio
Very cool! Congratulations, O'DubhGhaill.

Ken

So the WWII coat arrived and I am completely blown away! The pictures posted by the seller (that I cut and pasted above) are just terrible - while the coat actually is a very little bit dusty with some lint (not nearly as bad as the lighting in the photo seemed to enhance), it is a deep dark almost black (I realize that it is very dark blue, but appears unfaded), no fading inside or out, as the photos might suggest, and I assess it as practically unworn with absolutely no stains, wear spots, mothing, fraying, or damage of any kind! It is relatively stiff all around the coat. The label pictured above, is in actuality much darker with sharp clear print - the coat looks brand new and never dry-cleaned! Perhaps this sailor served in the Pacific and never had use for the coat there, so it lived in a seabag or sea locker back home? I couldn't figure what was the silk looking thing sticking out of the pocket as pictured above - I was worried it was a pocket lining repair gone bad and not original. Turns out that inside both perfect, yellow-corduroy-lined pockets were two 3' x 3' square black silk scarves, nicely stitched all around the edges, one of which was stenciled with the same sailor's name as the inside of the coat and the label. Turns out they are the WWII silk squares used to roll up and wear around the neck knotted at the front (both show numerous ~2" folding impressions across the scarf). There was also a ~ 1" x 14" silk band with "U S NAVY" professionally stenciled on it - research suggest that it might be the silk band used around the brim of the WWII issued "Donald Duck" flat cap worn by USN enlisted? There was also a small padded black silk purse thingy pouch, about 6" x 3". The buttons appear to be original, tight stitching and there is a completely intact throat latch buttoned under the collar. I very reluctantly took it to the dry cleaners today, but stressed the vintage perfection of the coat and the cleaner made note to take special care - I decided to clean it as I was concerned about unseen contaminants such as fine dust or even asbestos that might be deep in the wool. The coat has a faint, what I would call, dusty WWII scent, not moldy or mildewey whatsoever, just a faint old smell to it. Unbelievable! I am stunned. I think it might be a WWII-size 42 as it fits me like a 40 and I have a 39" chest, 31" waist (5'9" 147lbs.) and usually wear a 38L. No size label found. Pics to follow...
 

Spacetime

New in Town
Messages
3
Hi,

Can someone please tell me how much does a WWII 8 buttons showing peacoat weigh in a size 34 or 36? What is the fabric weight -- 36 oz.? And total weight of the coat? I'm asking because I'm not sure how comfortable the weight would wear on me. A few years ago I tried on a Schott 32 oz peacoat and the heavy weight was noticeable upon putting it on, but that was only trying it on for less than 5 minutes.

How does the weight of a WWII 8 buttons showing peacoat compare to a Sterlingwear 24 oz Mariner peacoat? Is the Sterlingwear much more comfortable to wear everyday? (I like the 8 buttons showing peacoats because they button up higher on the front, and I just the 8 buttons look.)

Since the US Navy announced the phasing out of the peacoat as its official outerwear and it will be replace by a synthetic cold weather parka by Oct 2020, I imagine this is one of the reasons Sterlingwear no longer has a retail website. And finding sizing information for Sterlingwear has always been a challenge but more so now.

Recently, I took a chance and called Sterlingwear and was able to connect to a person who told me that I could order a peacoat from them. Unfortunately, when I asked for the actual measurements of a size 34 he gave me the numbers from their size chart, saying a 34 has 16" chest, 36 has 17" chest, 38 has 18" chest. I told him that I wear a 34S suit and that I have jackets that measures 18-19" across the chest with 16.5-17" shoulder that fit perfectly, with the shoulder being key for me. He said that I should order a size 38 Sterlingwear peacoat. Somehow sizing up two sizes from my suit size for a peacoat doesn't sound right to me. If anything, my initial thought was that I would need a size 32 in a Sterlingwear after seeing a 32R listing for sale on another forum as having 17" shoulder and 18" chest and having read through hundreds of pages on the subject of Sterlingwear sizing including the sales advertisements on all those Japanese sites. In the end, I'm still not sure what size would fit me in Sterlingwear if I do decide to go that route.

Which brings me back to the beginning -- on eBay I can get the actual measurements of the coat but I don't know how the weight would feel on me. I'm curious if anyone has found the vintage heavier weight peacoats to be too heavy for daily wear and have switched to a lighter weight peacoat and found it to be a better option. Obviously, most here are extolling the vintage peacoats so there's a risk of sort of like speaking into an echo chamber but I thought I'd ask here anyways since this is the most active thread on vintage peacoats.

Many thanks.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
I have worn several WWII coats and numerous post WWII coats. Never noticed a difference in weight in any of them. Never heard anyone say either was too heavy for daily wear. That's a new one on me. The shell weight for WWII coats and pre WWII coats is the same. I think it is about 38 or 40 oz. I used to know but that was years ago.

If I remember, tomorrow I will weigh a WWII coat and a post WWII coat on a digital scale that reads out to a tenth of pound. That will remove any subjectiveness in my answer.

BTW, welcome to the Lounge. PC
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
I weighed my size 42 WWII peacoat on a digital scale. It came in at 4.65 lb. I weighed my 1965 size 42 peacoat on the same digital scale. It weighed 4.65 lb.

So, if one is able to wear a post war coat without feeling the weight, the WWII coat will be the same.
 

Doctor Damage

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,263
Location
Ontario
Hi,

Can someone please tell me how much does a WWII 8 buttons showing peacoat weigh in a size 34 or 36? What is the fabric weight -- 36 oz.? And total weight of the coat? I'm asking because I'm not sure how comfortable the weight would wear on me. A few years ago I tried on a Schott 32 oz peacoat and the heavy weight was noticeable upon putting it on, but that was only trying it on for less than 5 minutes.

How does the weight of a WWII 8 buttons showing peacoat compare to a Sterlingwear 24 oz Mariner peacoat? Is the Sterlingwear much more comfortable to wear everyday? (I like the 8 buttons showing peacoats because they button up higher on the front, and I just the 8 buttons look.)

Since the US Navy announced the phasing out of the peacoat as its official outerwear and it will be replace by a synthetic cold weather parka by Oct 2020, I imagine this is one of the reasons Sterlingwear no longer has a retail website. And finding sizing information for Sterlingwear has always been a challenge but more so now.

Recently, I took a chance and called Sterlingwear and was able to connect to a person who told me that I could order a peacoat from them. Unfortunately, when I asked for the actual measurements of a size 34 he gave me the numbers from their size chart, saying a 34 has 16" chest, 36 has 17" chest, 38 has 18" chest. I told him that I wear a 34S suit and that I have jackets that measures 18-19" across the chest with 16.5-17" shoulder that fit perfectly, with the shoulder being key for me. He said that I should order a size 38 Sterlingwear peacoat. Somehow sizing up two sizes from my suit size for a peacoat doesn't sound right to me. If anything, my initial thought was that I would need a size 32 in a Sterlingwear after seeing a 32R listing for sale on another forum as having 17" shoulder and 18" chest and having read through hundreds of pages on the subject of Sterlingwear sizing including the sales advertisements on all those Japanese sites. In the end, I'm still not sure what size would fit me in Sterlingwear if I do decide to go that route.

Which brings me back to the beginning -- on eBay I can get the actual measurements of the coat but I don't know how the weight would feel on me. I'm curious if anyone has found the vintage heavier weight peacoats to be too heavy for daily wear and have switched to a lighter weight peacoat and found it to be a better option. Obviously, most here are extolling the vintage peacoats so there's a risk of sort of like speaking into an echo chamber but I thought I'd ask here anyways since this is the most active thread on vintage peacoats.

Many thanks.
I'm surprised the person at Sterlingwear said to order two sizes up from your suit size, since in my limited experience their coats fit true-to-size, i.e. you wear the same size as your suit size. But there may be quirks of the small-sized coats. 34S is basically a child's size. I know you don't want to hear that, but it is.

Don't trust measurements on eBay, as they are taken by a wide range of people, most of whom have no experience with taking consistent measurements of clothing. In short, their measurments will be unreliable.

As for weight, unless you have back problems or some other issues, wearing a heavy coat should be do-able.
 

Spacetime

New in Town
Messages
3
I weighed my size 42 WWII peacoat on a digital scale. It came in at 4.65 lb. I weighed my 1965 size 42 peacoat on the same digital scale. It weighed 4.65 lb.

So, if one is able to wear a post war coat without feeling the weight, the WWII coat will be the same.


That's really great of you to provide empirical data. Thank you.
 

Spacetime

New in Town
Messages
3
I'm surprised the person at Sterlingwear said to order two sizes up from your suit size, since in my limited experience their coats fit true-to-size, i.e. you wear the same size as your suit size. But there may be quirks of the small-sized coats. 34S is basically a child's size. I know you don't want to hear that, but it is.

Don't trust measurements on eBay, as they are taken by a wide range of people, most of whom have no experience with taking consistent measurements of clothing. In short, their measurments will be unreliable.

As for weight, unless you have back problems or some other issues, wearing a heavy coat should be do-able.


Thank you for your input, appreciate it.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
I'm surprised the person at Sterlingwear said to order two sizes up from your suit size, since in my limited experience their coats fit true-to-size, i.e. you wear the same size as your suit size. But there may be quirks of the small-sized coats. 34S is basically a child's size. I know you don't want to hear that, but it is.
Yes, there are quirks in the small sizes * (as there are with the very large sizes), but don't know that the quirks are enough to go up two sizes. That is extreme, and I don't think it is good advice.

Yes, the 34s is a very small peacoat. A 32s is a definitely a child's size. I found three 34s peacoats for my wife. ** She is petite at 5' 4" and 120 lb. The 34s is a little large on her, and she would do better with a 32s, but I have't come across one. Pretty much given up now. She doesn't wear them much anyway. Much of the warmth of the peacoat is lost on her as there is so much air transfer within the coat because it doesn't fit her closely.

De Oppresso Liber
______
* 32, 34 and to a lesser extent size 36.
** Wasn't intentionally looking for three peacoats for her, but with trial and error and a mistake by a seller, that's what I ended up with.
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
Speaking of WWII 34s peacoats, there is a nice one listed right now. The tag doesn't show much wear. I would think this one came from the latter part of WWII. I asked the seller about moth damage. Here is her reply: "I'm not an expert, but there is no obvious signs of moth damage - just a little bit of wear around the collar from regular use resulting in a slightly lighter color."

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Real-Vinta...a=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042
 

ksozay

One Too Many
Messages
1,071
Location
Seattle
I have a size 40 with papers and in perfect condition, I’d be open to moving. FYI


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,297
Location
New York
Not a peacoat expert, but I love this one I have, I also have a new Buzz, if anyone wants to buy I can sell it. I’ll wear this one & my English version, bybGloverall.
69e0df6958ef71697e13ee022d81be90.jpg
c9c70ede3be19426cc267439fef1d1d4.jpg
6606d75c383293020126d1ef85fdaf84.jpg
99c42f8d797b1304e6e6da85e0372e52.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

AbbaDatDeHat

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,638
Speaking of WWII 34s peacoats, there is a nice one listed right now. The tag doesn't show much wear. I would think this one came from the latter part of WWII. I asked the seller about moth damage. Here is her reply: "I'm not an expert, but there is no obvious signs of moth damage - just a little bit of wear around the collar from regular use resulting in a slightly lighter color."

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Real-Vintage-US-Navy-Peacoat-WWII-WW2-Size-34US-XS-in-Amazing-Condition/124002941072?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160811114145&meid=d69cb5358e2d4319b21500fe42dc3f52&pid=100667&rk=1&rkt=5&sd=124002941072&itm=124002941072&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042
Hey Peacoat:
Any idea of the actual measurements for a sz 34? Sh/sh, p/p and sh to arm cuff?
Thanks Bowen
 

cjamesbrough

New in Town
Messages
16
Location
Maine
This may have been addressed/answered earlier in this thread but is Sterlingwear out of business or...? Their website is down and the customer service email I tried just bounces back to me.

I have a very nice WWII 10-button peacoat that I want to replace with a nice black peacoat but want something as true to the original as possible, hence Sterlingwear. Would I be better off going with the Schott 740 Classic?
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,296
Location
South of Nashville
Hey Peacoat:
Any idea of the actual measurements for a sz 34? Sh/sh, p/p and sh to arm cuff?
Thanks Bowen
For a vintage size 34 the p2p is 19". Interestingly, the current issue models are 18".* Of course this is subject to change. I will need to dig one out to measure the other points.

* EDIT NOTE: I measured a current issue p2p and found it is also 19". Don't know where the 18" came from.
 
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