Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Salem]

Hi Peacoat,

As I've mentioned to you in PM's, I've bought another coat (1945 dated) and the collar on that one is FRICKEN' HUGE! We'll... maybe not that big but it does come well over my ears when pulled up. My 1952 coat is well under my ears ~



My 1952 coat was my first and I wasn't really aware what I was looking for then. The collar measures 3 3/4". Perhaps because of the rip, the previous owner altered it but to my eye it does not appear so or maybe there was some variety in collars.

 

[Peacoat]

I measured my collar—3.25"—while it was lying flat as yours is in your post of yesterday at 3:24 pm.

The collars on the WWII coats are larger than the post war coats. Mine measures 4.25" at the back while lying flat.

 

[Salem]

I guess this one has been altered. Live and learn.
Thanks for your help, Peacoat!

 

[Spoonbelly]

I guess this one has been altered. Live and learn.
Thanks for your help, Peacoat!

I measured a few of my peacoats :
WWII - 4 1/4 "
1952? - 3 1/4"
1953 - 3"
1958 - 3"
1965 - 3 1/2
All of these coats are size 46. I guess the collar heights do vary - surprising! I do have a few more coats that I could measure.

 

[Salem]

Hi Spoonbelly,

With my collar down it measures about 2 1/3" - 2 1/4" on my 1952. Because there was a collar repair on this coat, I think around 1 inch was carved out from the mid point. For someone who doesn't know peacoats you'd never know the difference. I only realized something was up because recently I bought another pc and the collar on that was significantly larger.

The 1952 pc that I bought from a store in town was not a total waste as I was able to figure out very accurate measurements for future online purchases. For example, I own a non peacoat and the ptp measures 21 and is snug but on my 1952 pc it measure 19 3/4 or 20. It's a very slim tapered look which I like and I know a 20 ptp will fit me just fine now in pc's. I can also get away with an 18 shoulder and I would not have know that otherwise.

Anyway, thanks for contributing. Its a helpful thread and community!

Ian

 

[Peacoat]

Salem, I think you will find the p2p measurements increased over time. While your 1952 model was at or just under 20" (making it a size 38), the standard p2p for a size 38 increased to 20.25", which was the standard for quite a while. Likewise a size 40 would be at 21.25" and a size 42 would be at 22.25". These are approximate measurements which vary a bit from coat to coat as they were individually made.

 

[daw]

Agree, one of the most helpful threads on all of VLJ. Don't know if it's the longest thread, but it's already pretty long at 79 pages!

 

[Peacoat]

Agree, one of the most helpful threads on all of VLJ. Don't know if it's the longest thread, but it's already pretty long at 79 pages!

Uh, like this is the Fedora Lounge, not the Vintage Leather Jackets forum, but your point is well taken.

 

[Spoonbelly]

Hi Spoonbelly,

With my collar down it measures about 2 1/3" - 2 1/4" on my 1952. Because there was a collar repair on this coat, I think around 1 inch was carved out from the mid point. For someone who doesn't know peacoats you'd never know the difference. I only realized something was up because recently I bought another pc and the collar on that was significantly larger.

The 1952 pc that I bought from a store in town was not a total waste as I was able to figure out very accurate measurements for future online purchases. For example, I own a non peacoat and the ptp measures 21 and is snug but on my 1952 pc it measure 19 3/4 or 20. It's a very slim tapered look which I like and I know a 20 ptp will fit me just fine now in pc's. I can also get away with an 18 shoulder and I would not have know that otherwise.

Anyway, thanks for contributing. Its a helpful thread and community!

Ian

All of my measurements were with collars down right at the middle of the collar at the center back seam. Hope you find more peacoats. The dark blue vintage Kersey coats are not as plentiful as they were a few years ago. Sizes 38 and 40 are all over the place though (as in ebay). 42 isn't common but they are there if you look long and persistent enough.

 

[Salem]

Hope you find more peacoats.

Thanks! I bought a 1945 PC with 8 buttons and judging from the size of the collar on that one I'm betting it is the same as the WWII collars because it really is quite large.

Anyway, I wore my 1952 PC with the altered collar today and unless I run into one of you peacoat aficionados, no one is going to know the difference.

 

[Doctor Damage]

https://news.usni.org/2017/07/06/congress-questions-navys-plan-phase-iconic-peacoat

Congress is questioning the Navy’s decision to phase out the peacoat – its best-known piece of outerwear – as part of its 2018 budget deliberations. In August, the Navy said it would make the wool double-breasted coat optional in sailors’ seabags starting in 2018 and replace the maritime wardrobe staple with a synthetic black cold weather parka. Sailors can still wear the peacoat after the transition but the uniform shift and its potential effect on U.S. manufacturers have raised concerns with lawmakers.

 

[Peacoat]

https://news.usni.org/2017/07/06/congress-questions-navys-plan-phase-iconic-peacoat

Congress is questioning the Navy’s decision to phase out the peacoat – its best-known piece of outerwear – as part of its 2018 budget deliberations. In August, the Navy said it would make the wool double-breasted coat optional in sailors’ seabags starting in 2018 and replace the maritime wardrobe staple with a synthetic black cold weather parka. Sailors can still wear the peacoat after the transition but the uniform shift and its potential effect on U.S. manufacturers have raised concerns with lawmakers.

Wow, that is a biggie. Haven't heard about it. Can't let that happen. Sounds a bit odd as the peacoat is a dress item worn off the boat. Not worn at all for work details. The black cold weather parka sounds like part of a work uniform, unsuitable for wear off the boat. Thanks for the info, DD.

 

[Spoonbelly]

Thanks! I bought a 1945 PC with 8 buttons and judging from the size of the collar on that one I'm betting it is the same as the WWII collars because it really is quite large.

Anyway, I wore my 1952 PC with the altered collar today and unless I run into one of you peacoat aficionados, no one is going to know the difference.

Thanks! I bought a 1945 PC with 8 buttons and judging from the size of the collar on that one I'm betting it is the same as the WWII collars because it really is quite large.

Anyway, I wore my 1952 PC with the altered collar today and unless I run into one of you peacoat aficionados, no one is going to know the difference.

Was just wondering - is that a 1945 with 8 buttons or 10 buttons? I think the 8 button post war model started in the late '40s sometime?? Yesterday was the first day I started wearing my peacoats for this year. It got down into the '30s here in New York. Will probably wear again today as the temps are supposed to be even colder.

 

[Peacoat]

The best I can determine the six button (showing) model started just after the war, in either late 1945 or 1946. This allowed the lapel to be longer and wider and to lie flat against the body of the coat for a neater presentation. The eight button (showing) model had a smaller lapel that was unruly. It seldom stayed in the proper position and looked as if the wind were blowing it up and off of the body of the coat. Not a very military appearance.

Right now our temps are in the 40s. Will get warmer than that today and down to the mid to upper 30s at night. For me temps in the mid to low 40s signal peacoat weather. Won't hit that today.

 

[Salem]

Was just wondering - is that a 1945 with 8 buttons or 10 buttons?

My 1945 PC has 8 buttons and the tag looks exactly like a 1945 tag from the Peacoat Dating thread. It's 32 length from bottom hem in collar so it's a bit longer than my 1952, which I like.

Weather report says -9 celsius (or 15.8 fahrenheit) with windchill Friday in Hogtown!

 

[EmergencyIan]

The best I can determine the six button (showing) model started just after the war, in either late 1945 or 1946. This allowed the lapel to be longer and wider and to lie flat against the body of the coat for a neater presentation. The eight button (showing) model had a smaller lapel that was unruly. It seldom stayed in the proper position and looked as if the wind were blowing it up and off of the body of the coat. Not a very military appearance.

Right now our temps are in the 40s. Will get warmer than that today and down to the mid to upper 30s at night. For me temps in the mid to low 40s signal peacoat weather. Won't hit that today.

I guess the six button is better. It does look neater, for sure. I had that early 1946 which came with the orange cutter tags and it was great...mint condition. The only issue is that I outgrew it. I got it before I was 30 and a size 36 only fit for so long. Saying that, the 1946 Peacoat was slightly larger than an eight button 1944 size 36 would have been or still or is.

 

[Worf]

Just a word.... It may seem like blasphemy but... Pike Bros in Germany is now offering a 1938 Pea Coat for sale. Well their reproduction of a 1938 Pre-War Pea Coat. Just thought I'd mention it.

https://www.pikebrothers-shop.com/I...000001&number=P0301-17-0008&request_locale=en

Worf

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks, Worf.

Interesting that they call it a 1938 peacoat (which would have 8 buttons showing), but the style is that of a post war coat (6 buttons showing) with the shorter lapels of a WWII coat. I don't know what to make of it or what their design model is based on.

 

[Spoonbelly]

Just a word.... It may seem like blasphemy but... Pike Bros in Germany is now offering a 1938 Pea Coat for sale. Well their reproduction of a 1938 Pre-War Pea Coat. Just thought I'd mention it.

https://www.pikebrothers-shop.com/I...000001&number=P0301-17-0008&request_locale=en

Worf

I saw a 1938 peacoat somewhere on the internet and it looked just like a WWII model. They also have the outside pockets angled on this coat. US Navy coat pockets are straight up!! I hope not too many people fall for this.

 

[Peacoat]

You are correct, Spoon. The 1938 peacoats are the same as the WWII model. It may have been 1936 when they debuted what we now call the WWII coats. I think we chased this down several years ago.

The coats prior to 1936 (WWI coats) were not even close to this model by Pike Brothers. The WWI coats were more similar to the WWII coats. For pictures of WWI coats see the first two photos at http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...-dating-the-united-states-navy-peacoat.72058/

Well, I just saw the "Upload a File" in the bottom right corner of the screen. I think I can upload the photos directly from my hard drive. Let's see if this works.