Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Peacoat]

Don't know what's up with that label; never seen it before.

 

[Pantxo]

Here is an interesting one. The jacket is a classic WW II era coat, eight buttons showing, throat latch, etc. But has this interesting breast pocket label. Hard to read, but has the name, USNR, Wausau, WI. The label is real leather with almost a gold leaf print

Picked this up at an antique store while looking for something else., Had a rack of mens clothes in a dusty corner and I snooped. This jacket was sitting there, fit me like a glove. This never happens.

Ha'bout more pics of that coat? Sounds interesting! Are there any more labels in the coat?

 

[Dudley]

Ha'bout more pics of that coat? Sounds interesting! Are there any more labels in the coat?

I will post some pictures next week. I am traveling the next few days. No other labels that I can see.

 

[ton312]

I’ve had 5-6 US Navy peacoats over the years. All Kersey wool. I would not want a melton version. I recently snagged this at a thrift store. It’s an 8 button, post WWII (I believe) Kersey wool. It’s in remarkably good shape inside and out. I prefer the 10 button, on account of the collar shape, throat latch and lapel closure. Have one of those due Tuesday. In the meantime I did add a snap into the lapel and body of the 8 button, so that it closes more tightly.

I’ve got this one pretty well maxed out. I am hopeful the 10 button affords me just a bit more room. The US Navy commissioned the best peacoats available anywhere, ever. I have never seen a civilian peacoat come even remotely close. It’s no contest.

I have always stored all my wools in garment bags and hang cedar blocks (which I lightly freshen up with sandpaper each spring) and have thus far never had a problem with the butterflies ugly cousin.

 

[Peacoat]

Nice coat, Tony. Glad you mentioned adding the snap; I was having trouble figuring out.

Wool rules!

 

[ton312]

I also picked up these cracker jacks. Love these pants but My God, they are an effort to put on and off.

And the full set:

 

[Pantxo]

Hey Ton32.... that's a great looking peacoat! Dang! Goes good with the beard too! Thanks for the pics!

 

[Dudley]

I also picked up these cracker jacks. Love these pants but My God, they are an effort to put on and off.
View attachment 477243
View attachment 477244
And the full set:
View attachment 477246

Nice fit. Slacks look great too. Are they itchy? I don't think they are lined. I won't wear wool slacks unless they are lined.

Garment bags and cedar are great approaches for preservation. And the jackets smell great when they come out for the next season.

 

[ton312]

Nice fit. Slacks look great too. Are they itchy? I don't think they are lined. I won't wear wool slacks unless they are lined.

Garment bags and cedar are great approaches for preservation. And the jackets smell great when they come out for the next season.

They are not lined but they aren’t itchy at all. Quite comfy actually. They feel like heavy pajama pants!

 

[Dudley]

Pricing these coats have been discussed a lot. While I am new to purchasing peacoats (I have a lot of experience with Filson and Woolrich), I have purchased several navy peacoats this year on E-Bay and at thrift stores. I have a few observations.

1. The going rate is about $125 for an excellent condition WWII to 70's Kersey wool jacket. You should never feel bad about paying this amount if the era, size and condition is right for you. All three have to be perfect! Go for it.

2. All of the experienced sellers I purchased from on E-Bay were asking over $200 for these jackets. Put a best offer forward. Most will accept. I got two of them for $125.

3. If you are patient, and are willing to take some risks, you can snag a jacket for much less. Like the one I found on E-Bay last week for $65. Seller said it was dirty. Pictures were bad. I sent a few e-mails to confirm condition and measurements. It turned out to be super clean and in almost mint condition. See picture.

A few other buying tips.

Measurements are a crap shoot. I have found inexperienced sellers to be off by more than an inch. So if a grandson is selling the jacket, question the measurements to get it right. Experienced E-Bay sellers who sell a lot of clothes can generally be trusted to measure things accurately

I-phone photo's will make the jacket look grey and ugly. Do not be discouraged. Look at the style and condition, not color. Dark navy is really hard to photo. This photo is with my full frame camera.

 

[willyto]

I also picked up these cracker jacks. Love these pants but My God, they are an effort to put on and off.
View attachment 477243
View attachment 477244
And the full set:
View attachment 477246

If the Greek God wears them you can too!

 

[Dudley]

View attachment 477991 View attachment 477992

If the Greek God wears them you can too!

These are great. The current myth of why Navy sailors wore bell bottoms was so that they could remove them easily if cast overboard. These buttons challenge that explanation. Thanks for posting

 

[ton312]

These are great. The current myth of why Navy sailors wore bell bottoms was so that they could remove them easily if cast overboard. These buttons challenge that explanation. Thanks for posting

I believe that holds true for the dungarees, but not the dress wools. If I understand the uniform correctly the wool pants were not worn as a working garment, the dungarees were (I have several pair of those as well) and they fasten at the waist with a single button (or snap) and on most pairs a locking zipper.

 

[ton312]

WW II era 10 button pea arrived! It’s lovely. Fit is great. There is one moth bite near the hem in back that I’ll need to tend to. Otherwise, superb!

 

[Peacoat]

Excellent fit.

 

[Dudley]

I received a nice jacket that was in storage since WWII and included a surprise. A Kersey wool bag/skirt? 24 inches by 32 inches. Top has a draw string, bottom is open. Two layers off wool fabric. Very heavy. What is it?

 

[Grayland]

I just received a 1966 version yesterday off eBay. Pretty much mint condition. Not only does it appear to have very little wear, it must’ve been stored nicely too as I can’t find a single moth nip. $114.99

BTW - all pockets should be lined in corduroy; it feels so good.

 

[Dudley]

I just received a 1966 version yesterday off eBay. Pretty much mint condition. Not only does it appear to have very little wear, it must’ve been stored nicely too as I can’t find a single moth nip. $114.99

BTW - all pockets should be lined in corduroy; it feels so good.

The 66 is a great coat. Double stitching 3 inches from the cuff? I have the same year. good price too

 

[Peacoat]

The 66 is a great coat. Double stitching 3 inches from the cuff? I have the same year. good price too

Plus the tag is one of a kind. That is the only year they existed and will never be made again.

 

[Daniel Veit]

I am in need of a little help:
I am looking for a vintage peacoat in kersey wool and all, but have odd body proportions (at least measured against people in days gone by).
I am almost 6.3', chest 39.5", shoulders 17.5 to 17.75", usual sleeve lenght 26.5 " (wrist covered).
Any recomandations what size to look for?
I know that not all navy issued peacoats are created equal, but still...
My main concern are the sleeves.