Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Slobo]

Peacoat,
I'm pretty sure it was a 1938. Wish I knew where I saw it. Was one of those sites that you just come across when going through Google, etc. I think I'll enter 1938 US Navy peacoat and see what happens. To tell you the truth I'm not too crazy about the WWI coats. My favorite are the post WWII, and then the WWII coats. Supposed to go into the 90s today and tomorrow as it has for a good part of the summer. Maybe I'll take a cruise (or walk) in one of my coats (LOL).

At this link, you'll find the USCG uniform regs from 1930 as amended through mid 1941. On p. 94 of the .pdf, you will note an amendment dated 11/21/1938 replacing the prior specs for the peacoat (as recognized by the USCG) and substituting the specs as we know WW2-era peacoats to be.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/uniforms/USCG1930UniformRegs.pdf

I am assuming the language replaced was the WW1-era peacoat specs. Since the USCG followed the USN uniform regs rather closely, with the exception of cap devices and gold buttons and corps distinctions, presumably the USN adopted these specs sometime around 1938 or before. Still a mystery to me is whether the 11/21/1938 amendment was playing catch up after a more prolonged period of USN specs being in place, or whether they came close in time to each other.

 

[Peacoat]

At this link, you'll find the USCG uniform regs from 1930 as amended through mid 1941. On p. 94 of the .pdf, you will note an amendment dated 11/21/1938 replacing the prior specs for the peacoat (as recognized by the USCG) and substituting the specs as we know WW2-era peacoats to be.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/uniforms/USCG1930UniformRegs.pdf

I am assuming the language replaced was the WW1-era peacoat specs. Since the USCG followed the USN uniform regs rather closely, with the exception of cap devices and gold buttons and corps distinctions, presumably the USN adopted these specs sometime around 1938 or before. Still a mystery to me is whether the 11/21/1938 amendment was playing catch up after a more prolonged period of USN specs being in place, or whether they came close in time to each other.

Unfortunately for me the link only has VIII Chapters going to page 63. I see no way to get to page 94. I have opened the link twice with the same results each time.

I would think the regulations came close in time together and perhaps simultaneously. The two services do communicate and probably collaborated in developing new uniforms as they were basically the same back then, and probably still are.

This appears to me to be a major find which is corroborated by the comments of Spoonbelly above.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Unfortunately for me the link only has VIII Chapters going to page 63. I see no way to get to page 94. I have opened the link twice with the same results each time.

I got the whole thing no probs. Try a different browser, like Firefox.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks for the suggestion; Firefox opened the entire document.

Wow, this is a major discovery. Looks like the WWI era changed over to the WWII era on November 21, 1938. Although this is a Coast Guard document, I think the link between the two services is sufficient to suggest the Navy also changed over on or about this date.

Slobo, you have earned your keep with this find.

 

[Spoonbelly]

At this link, you'll find the USCG uniform regs from 1930 as amended through mid 1941. On p. 94 of the .pdf, you will note an amendment dated 11/21/1938 replacing the prior specs for the peacoat (as recognized by the USCG) and substituting the specs as we know WW2-era peacoats to be.

https://www.uscg.mil/history/docs/uniforms/USCG1930UniformRegs.pdf

I am assuming the language replaced was the WW1-era peacoat specs. Since the USCG followed the USN uniform regs rather closely, with the exception of cap devices and gold buttons and corps distinctions, presumably the USN adopted these specs sometime around 1938 or before. Still a mystery to me is whether the 11/21/1938 amendment was playing catch up after a more prolonged period of USN specs being in place, or whether they came close in time to each other.

Thanks for the suggestion; Firefox opened the entire document.

Wow, this is a major discovery. Looks like the WWI era changed over to the WWII era on November 21, 1938. Although this is a Coast Guard document, I think the link between the two services is sufficient to suggest the Navy also changed over on or about this date.

Slobo, you have earned your keep with this find.

Just thought I'd throw this out. Speaking of USCG coats. I bought a WWII USCG coat from ebay. Don't know what year it was but it wound up being a size 44 instead of my size 46. I decided to sell it back on ebay. The material on that coat was INCREDIBLE. Superior and more beautiful then the other USN WWII coat that I have. It bummed me out that it didn't fit.

 

[Slobo]

Unfortunately for me the link only has VIII Chapters going to page 63. I see no way to get to page 94. I have opened the link twice with the same results each time.

I would think the regulations came close in time together and perhaps simultaneously. The two services do communicate and probably collaborated in developing new uniforms as they were basically the same back then, and probably still are.

This appears to me to be a major find which is corroborated by the comments of Spoonbelly above.

If the first link is not getting you the whole document. Try the link(s) off the Coast Guard's website here:
https://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/USCG_Uniform_Index.asp

When I found these the other day, I felt like I had found the key to the kingdom. Thank you Coast Guard -- Semper Paratus.

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, this is excellent. Now put your browser to work and see if you can dig up the corresponding U. S. Navy documents so we can probe my theory that both services adopted the WWII style at about the same time. And I'll bet that the Merchant Marine did the same thing.

 

[Slobo]

Yes, this is excellent. Now put your browser to work and see if you can dig up the corresponding U. S. Navy documents so we can probe my theory that both services adopted the WWII style at about the same time. And I'll bet that the Merchant Marine did the same thing.

Done, and no dice.

 

[Peacoat]

Done, and no dice.

Keep trying. It took me three years to put together the research on vintage Navy peacoats. Don't give up after a few hours.

 

[artemv]

What you can say about this one? Can buy that coat for 50$, wors it?

Spoiler: pics

 

[Peacoat]

What is the provenance of this coat; is it a German peacoat?

 

[artemv]

Exactly, looks same like that one
http://markhitcom.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=2828876

 

[Doctor Damage]

It looks very nice, I like the proportions. The Soviet/Russian ones are nice too, but of low quality.

 

[artemv]

So much has been said about US coats. In before i would like to hear some information about the German ones.

 

[Doctor Damage]

So much has been said about US coats. In before i would like to hear some information about the German ones.

I understand, but with respect this thread is dedicated to USN coats only. We have a thread for "peacoats of the world" which would be a good place to post those pics and perhaps some discussion will generate (link below). I have some pics I should post there, too.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/peacoats-from-the-world.59996/

 

[artemv]

Thank you so much for the link, i'd rather gone chek it.)

 

[Spartcom5]

I'm still interested in acquiring another peacoat for my collection. Were there any different colors or styles of the peacoat from 1940s? I have the WW2 navy one already... any ideas? I'd love a 1930s coat or older. I love peacoats because they are timeless pieces and still look great even in 2016, great pieces to have.

 

[xmr]

I have to thank Peacoat for his info. I just got a ca. 1968 Peacoat made by Pembroke, size 38L. I have a 39,5-40" chest and it fits perfect with just a shirt under it. Sleeve length is perfect as well.

 

[Peacoat]

I'm still interested in acquiring another peacoat for my collection. Were there any different colors or styles of the peacoat from 1940s? I have the WW2 navy one already... any ideas? I'd love a 1930s coat or older. I love peacoats because they are timeless pieces and still look great even in 2016, great pieces to have.

Peacoats remained the same from about 1938 until the end of WW II. Coats prior to 1938 are extremely rare. So rare that I have never seen one.

My dissertation on peacoats is in a sticky at the top of the Outerwear first page in the top post by Dinerman.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Gene Hackman in Heist, one of my top 5 favourite movies.



William H Macy in The Maiden Heist.