Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[damobussi]

Hi everyone just wondering which type of pea coat would be warmer (1)a sterlingwear of boston genuine 1990 navy issue with the insulation on the inside or (2) a 1968 kersey wool genuine navy issue coat . I know the kersey wool coat is of a tighter weave and as so is more resistant to the rain and wind but which coat would be warmer i.e. which coat would you feel warmer in thanks for your help regards Damian

 

[Wesley Milton Dagwell III]

Are pea coats still "in" down our way? I haven't been to the CBD much since it started getting cold.

 

[RobT]

I have owned both coats and I reckon that they are equally as warm. I would go for the kersey every time though (preferably WW2) because of the overall quality, look and feel. If you look at earlier posts, there are some interesting articles by "Peacoat."

 

[Seb Lucas]

Are pea coats still "in" down our way? I haven't been to the CBD much since it started getting cold.

Really? I'm only 6 km from the CBD and I haven't been in there for 3 years. On the train I still see those shonky, slim-cut fashion peacoats -usually in grey - around, yes.

 

[damobussi]

Yes i see quite a few coats but they are all cheap chinese one's i wear my sterlingwear navy issue pea coat to work (melb cbd) and everyone comments on how good it looks and how well made it is but advertise one and see how long it takes to sell most aussies dont have a clue about how good the quality and cut of these coats are ! Unfortunately they prefer the not so cheap and often more expensive asian makes .

 

[Wesley Milton Dagwell III]

Really? I'm only 6 km from the CBD and I haven't been in there for 3 years. On the train I still see those shonky, slim-cut fashion peacoats -usually in grey - around, yes.

I hate those. I think more traditional pea coats are also favoured less among young people because of the way they fit.

 

[Philalethes]

I would vote for the kersey wool: although it is a tighter weave than the melton, it is also heavier, which makes it equal in warmth to the melton with the polyester fill lining. (Peacoat addresses this in his sticky.) Melton peacoats are very nice, but in my opinion kersey peacoats are much nicer.

 

[Philalethes]

I hate those. I think more traditional pea coats are also favoured less among young people because of the way they fit.

I see those gray, slim "peacoats" advertised on Ebay all the time. (Or are they wool "trench coats"?) Vintage peacoats may be slim fitting, too - especially from the WWII era.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I have now seen many of these cheaply made designer peacoats about on the street and in public transport. They are inspired by peacoats and look quite different, really, but I woudln't call them a trench as they are way too short. The kids that wear them (20 to 30 years old) would probably think a real peacoat looked ugly. So often taste is about time, place and experience.

 

[Peacoat]

My research shows both coats are equally warm. As you stated, the vintage peacoats are more wind and water resistant.

As Philalethes noted, the below link discusses this question:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?35824-PEACOAT-DATING

 

[raafatc]

Boys n Girls i would have to say Kersey is King.I have 3 Peacoats , WWII , Pewter button peacoat issued between the years 74 and 84 and the latest is the kersey vietnam era peacoat with the double stiching on the sleeves.This latest acquisition came compliments of a local melbournian "Damobussi", thanks Damien , my kid is wrapped with it and for a kid the age of 17 he is delighted to be wearing it on these cold Melbourne days, he definately knows the difference between el cheapo civilian designs compared to the milspec ones.Also a big thank you to "Peacoat" Tenessee for his very informative reasearch on the different eras and styles.Once again I would have to say kersey is the way to go for me anyways as its heavier and more resistant to weather tantrums and warmth.Cheers Chaps

 

[Spoonbelly]

I gave my son age 24 my 1965 pea coat. I even paid quite a few bucks to have it altered for him. He hardly ever wears it. He wears his "designer type" inspired one instead. I thought the real one looked great when he wore it, but what can you do???

 

[Peacoat]

I gave my son age 24 my 1965 pea coat. I even paid quite a few bucks to have it altered for him. He hardly ever wears it. He wears his "designer type" inspired one instead. I thought the real one looked great when he wore it, but what can you do???

Fashion is fleeting, but style is forever.

 

[dustyjohnson10]

there isn't any specific. they both seems having the same features.

 

[PaidInFull24]

USN Pea Coat

Hey guys,

I just got my World War 2 (yes, the REAL thing this time!) pea coat in the mail today. I purchased it on ebay for $24 as it was listed as a "Vintage 1950's Korean War-era USN pea coat". It is a 10 button (8 showing) heavy wool pea coat with the "U.S. Naval clothing factory" tag on the inside with the UNFOULED anchors in the upper right and left corners of the tag (1947 and earlier). The only thing wrong with it is that the shoulder padding on the right shoulder has slipped over the shoulder and is now lodged just below the right shoulder on the back side of the coat. It isn't visible while wearing the coat, but I would really like to have it in the correct spot. The entire lining of the coat is sealed, i.e. there is no access into the lining to move the pad back up into the shoulder. Does anyone have any ideas? I was especially curious to what the poster "Peacoat" might have to say. Hope you all are having a great night!

-Nick

 

[Peacoat]

Nick, take it to a seamstress.

I can't believe you stole that coat for $24. You caught everyone asleep at the switch, unless it is a small size. Shouldn't be too big of a problem to fix, and shouldn't cost very much to do so. The coat certainly deserves to be properly repaired.

Cheers.

 

[PaidInFull24]

Nick, take it to a seamstress.

I can't believe you stole that coat for $24. You caught everyone asleep at the switch, unless it is a small size. Shouldn't be too big of a problem to fix, and shouldn't cost very much to do so. The coat certainly deserves to be properly repaired.

Cheers.

Thanks Peacoat,
I was hoping to hear from you on this matter! I was super excited when I won the auction. When I first discovered it, I thought "no one will ever see this thing here!" and sure enough it sold with only 6 bids. It is in perfect condition other than a small amount of mothing on the right shoulder, but the mothing doesn't go all the way through the wool, it only took the top layer. The coat is a size 40 and fits me PERFECTLY. Thanks to your thread on peacoat dating I knew that the tag inside was a 1947 and earlier tag It also has a tag just under the strap that you would use to hang it on a coat hanger that says "Size 40, U.S. naval clothing factory, Brooklyn, New York" and then has a spot just under that on the same tag for the inspectors initials. This tag is identical to the tag on your thread about pea coat dating labeled "Probably a collar tag from a WWII coat" I'm so excited to get to wear it this winter! I will definitely take very good care in keeping it clean and in nice condition and will stop wearing it if it starts to show marked signs of wear. So you recommend a seamstress? They would be along the same lines as a tailor. I'm not sure how they would go about retrieving the shoulderpad, but its not too far over the shoulder so I definitely think it will be an easy fix. Have you ever had to have one repaired like that?

Regards,
Nick

 

[Peacoat]

No, but it doesn't sound too difficult. Ought to be a simple fix.

You will have years of service before you have to retire it because of wear.

 

[CC-1]

Nick,
Tailor or seamstress- get a good one. Penetrating the lining correctly is routine for them.
If you have no confidence in anyone, I can recommend one near Syracuse NY who was
great with my peacoat and fair in price. She was recommended to me by experts I researched
online. The serious ones belong to an association or club called PERC or something like that.
-john

 

[PaidInFull24]

Hey John,
What repairs did you have to have done to your peacoat?