Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Peacoat]

i don't know what it was like back when "ships were made of wood and men were made of iron" but when I was in the navy in the 80s the usual reefer coat was the green navy deck jacket. if you were on a working party and loading stores you wouldn't want the buttons ripped off your pea coat or have it stained by something leaking.

Yes, the peacoat was a dress coat. I don't think it started out that way, but over time it evolved. Deck jackets were used for work parties, of which there were many in the the Navy, as I understand it.

The non—impermeable, green deck jacket was a warm jacket. I have one. The impermeable, green deck jacket was also warm, as well as being water resistant. I have one of those as well that I use for chores around the farm when it is snowing or cold and raining.

While the deck jacket may have been referred to informally as a "reefer" jacket, the regulations don't refer to it as such. That honor is reserved for peacoats worn by officers. Still unresolved is why they were given that designation.

 

[username2150]

I own what I believe is a WW2 era pea coat that I've had for about 6 years. It's been in the closet for the last two winters considering some issues with the lining and a tear along the seam of the right arm. I wanted to see people's thoughts regarding repairing the lining of the jacket.

Would a complete lining replacement be a bad idea? Does replacing the lining take away from the authenticity of the jacket, and should I instead focus on spot repairs instead? If anyone has any recommended tailors in the Chicago area that would be up for the job, I'd love to hear recommendations.

Here's a description of the damage along with several photos: IMGUR LINK

• There are tears around both arm holes.
• Some misc tears of the inner lining elsewhere including inside of interior pocket
• Tear along seems of right arm

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, that is a WWII coat. The tag as well as the 8 button front marks it as such.

The repairs needed are fairly simple. I would have that done and not replace the entire lining.

Welcome to the Lounge.

 

[Spoonbelly]

I own what I believe is a WW2 era pea coat that I've had for about 6 years. It's been in the closet for the last two winters considering some issues with the lining and a tear along the seam of the right arm. I wanted to see people's thoughts regarding repairing the lining of the jacket.

Would a complete lining replacement be a bad idea? Does replacing the lining take away from the authenticity of the jacket, and should I instead focus on spot repairs instead? If anyone has any recommended tailors in the Chicago area that would be up for the job, I'd love to hear recommendations.

Here's a description of the damage along with several photos: IMGUR LINK

• There are tears around both arm holes.
• Some misc tears of the inner lining elsewhere including inside of interior pocket
• Tear along seems of right arm

Just a thought - I looked up on ebay US Navy Peacoat WWII and a whole bunch came up. Some with good prices and in excellent conditions. Tailors ain't cheap as I have had work done by them on my peacoats that I bought on ebay.

 

[Peacoat]

@Spoonbelly: You are right; there are a bunch of WWII coats on ebay, along with some not WWII but advertised as such. Many ebay sellers have no idea of the era of the coats they are selling. I saw a peacoat advertised as VN era a few years back. It was clearly a WWII coat. I sent her a message telling her the coat would bring a higher price if dated correctly. Her response: "Oh, I didn't know what year, I just knew it looked old." That's the mentality of the ebay seller.

Many of those coats are size 36 and 38. Hard to find a size 40 and above for that era.

I did find a set of 10 WWI peacoat buttons, and snatched them up immediately. I currently have no use for them, but who knows what the future will bring.

 

[Spoonbelly]

@Spoonbelly: You are right; there are a bunch of WWII coats on ebay, along with some not WWII but advertised as such. Many ebay sellers have no idea of the era of the coats they are selling. I saw a peacoat advertised as VN era a few years back. It was clearly a WWII coat. I sent her a message telling her the coat would bring a higher price if dated correctly. Her response: "Oh, I didn't know what year, I just knew it looked old." That's the mentality of the ebay seller.

Many of those coats are size 36 and 38. Hard to find a size 40 and above for that era.

I did find a set of 10 WWI peacoat buttons, and snatched them up immediately. I currently have no use for them, but who knows what the future will bring.

Boy, did I luck out a few years ago. I bought a WWII coat on ebay size 46 in almost new condition - the buttons and button holes were still a little tight. The sleeves had also been lengthened a bit so as to fit me better. That was a rare find. Condition wise it's probably my best coat.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Last night I had a weird dream about peacoats. Like all dreams it make no fkking sense. Buckle up...

I was in a medium-sized American town, in the downtown with some office towers and a hill in the middle of the downtown. There was a river running around the downtown as they do in so many places. A bunch of town residents took their USN peacoats and laid them out on the streets and then went up to the top of the hill, where there was a gazebo. The river flooded and all the peacoats got wet and pushed up the hill by the water, then the water receded and the coats were left all over the streets and lawns. The people hung them up hangers around the downtown to dry out over a couple days while they watched. It was an annual event which they called "the washing of the peacoats". I was upset to see so many coats hung up crooked on the hangers, so I went around straightening them so the shoulders wouldn't get distorted. Then I woke up.

lol

 

[Gamma68]

Last night I had a weird dream about peacoats. Like all dreams it make no fkking sense. Buckle up...

I was in a medium-sized American town, in the downtown with some office towers and a hill in the middle of the downtown. There was a river running around the downtown as they do in so many places. A bunch of town residents took their USN peacoats and laid them out on the streets and then went up to the top of the hill, where there was a gazebo. The river flooded and all the peacoats got wet and pushed up the hill by the water, then the water receded and the coats were left all over the streets and lawns. The people hung them up hangers around the downtown to dry out over a couple days while they watched. It was an annual event which they called "the washing of the peacoats". I was upset to see so many coats hung up crooked on the hangers, so I went around straightening them so the shoulders wouldn't get distorted. Then I woke up.

lol

'shrooms before nite nite is never a good idea.

 

[mihai]

@Spoonbelly: You are right; there are a bunch of WWII coats on ebay, along with some not WWII but advertised as such. Many ebay sellers have no idea of the era of the coats they are selling. I saw a peacoat advertised as VN era a few years back. It was clearly a WWII coat. I sent her a message telling her the coat would bring a higher price if dated correctly. Her response: "Oh, I didn't know what year, I just knew it looked old." That's the mentality of the ebay seller.

Many of those coats are size 36 and 38. Hard to find a size 40 and above for that era.

I did find a set of 10 WWI peacoat buttons, and snatched them up immediately. I currently have no use for them, but who knows what the future will bring.

I have a WW2 in 42 and one in 44 in my collection since few years. Good condition afair. My size is 40 so I'd let them go.
What's the usual price of these?

 

[Wei]

I have a WW2 in 42 and one in 44 in my collection since few years. Good condition afair. My size is 40 so I'd let them go.
What's the usual price of these?

I was going to contact you for the size 44. Then I realized you're located in Europe. What a shame......

 

[Boyo]

@mihai, if your serious about selling post some pictures and measurements.. depending on condition a few hundred $ isn't out of the question..
the larger sizes are harder to find. the 44 would generate some interest

 

[mihai]

Hi everybody

@Boyo
Thanks a lot for your feedback.
Yes I'm willing to sell them. I'm trying to trim my stuff. Things that don't fit / not using them go first. They are some of the first pea coats I bought few years ago from eBay USA without knowing their sizing. Only then I figured 40 suits me like a glove.
This weekend I'll get them, take photos and provide descriptions.

 

[mihai]

Those looking for a 42 - here's one in fair condition at a decent price:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-40...-Factory-USN-Wool-PeaCoat-Medium/163372331233

 

[Peacoat]

From the p2p that one does appear to be a size 42. They are hard to find these days.

 

[EmergencyIan]

Keep in mind that WWII era Pea Coats are quite slim fitting. For example, if the size of the coat is 42, it’s chest will measure 44 inches.

- Ian

 

[Jonacki]

Yes, they are still heavy, and, more importantly, still warm coats. I have a 1985 dated coat that was made by Cavalier and a bunch of the older coats. I can tell no appreciable difference in the warmth. There may be a difference in rainy or windy conditions because of the tightness of the weave on the older coats, but I have done no objective testing. I am more interested these days in determing the dates of manufacture of the older coats. From about 1950 on I have a pretty good grasp of the labels and how they tell the story of the era in which the coats were manufactured. Prior to then, I just am not sure. That was 60 years ago, and there aren't that many coats left from that era still in circulation.

Good day to all and particularly Mr. Peacoat. What a fantastic forum - an incredible wealth of information. Thanks so much to all the contributors. So I took the leap and purchased both a current issue and a vintage peacoat. Seeing is believing. Both are terrific, but oh my gosh, the vintage coat (which appears to have been manufactured between 1949-1953 based on the dating guide)” and the label in the coat) is downright amazing! By far the best wool coat I’ve ever seen and what a great fit at size 42 (the current issue is also a 42 and fits similar to the vintage, although the vintage fits better in my opinion). Wish I’d taken the leap earlier. Still can’t believe the vintage coat is in the terrific condition it is in (appears to have been hardly worn), and for only $40! Half the price of the used issue coat I also purchased. The kersey wool is amazing - warm and weather repellant). Every time I’ve worn the vintage coat I’ve received a constant stream of compliments (including some very kind comments from a veteran from the 40s and 50s who noticed that the coat was vintage and like what he wore in the early 50s - the only difference being that the coat I have has the small shield on the sleeve for the Coast Guard). So these comments are worthless without at lease one photo, and I’ll try to get some posted soon. Thanks again and all the best!

 

[Peacoat]

Keep in mind that WWII era Pea Coats are quite slim fitting. For example, if the size of the coat is 42, it’s chest will measure 44 inches.

- Ian

Yes, and that is on the outside of the coat.

 

[Peacoat]

Good day to all and particularly Mr. Peacoat. What a fantastic forum - an incredible wealth of information. Thanks so much to all the contributors. So I took the leap and purchased both a current issue and a vintage peacoat. Seeing is believing. Both are terrific, but oh my gosh, the vintage coat (which appears to have been manufactured between 1949-1953 based on the dating guide)” and the label in the coat) is downright amazing! By far the best wool coat I’ve ever seen and what a great fit at size 42 (the current issue is also a 42 and fits similar to the vintage, although the vintage fits better in my opinion). Wish I’d taken the leap earlier. Still can’t believe the vintage coat is in the terrific condition it is in (appears to have been hardly worn), and for only $40! Half the price of the used issue coat I also purchased. The kersey wool is amazing - warm and weather repellant). Every time I’ve worn the vintage coat I’ve received a constant stream of compliments (including some very kind comments from a veteran from the 40s and 50s who noticed that the coat was vintage and like what he wore in the early 50s - the only difference being that the coat I have has the small shield on the sleeve for the Coast Guard). So these comments are worthless without at lease one photo, and I’ll try to get some posted soon. Thanks again and all the best!

Glad those coats fit you. The Coast Guard peacoats are identical to the Navy versions, but for the small shield on the right sleeve. The vintage should be just a little better fit than the current issue, but you are right, they fit about the same.

 

[Spoonbelly]

Good day to all and particularly Mr. Peacoat. What a fantastic forum - an incredible wealth of information. Thanks so much to all the contributors. So I took the leap and purchased both a current issue and a vintage peacoat. Seeing is believing. Both are terrific, but oh my gosh, the vintage coat (which appears to have been manufactured between 1949-1953 based on the dating guide)” and the label in the coat) is downright amazing! By far the best wool coat I’ve ever seen and what a great fit at size 42 (the current issue is also a 42 and fits similar to the vintage, although the vintage fits better in my opinion). Wish I’d taken the leap earlier. Still can’t believe the vintage coat is in the terrific condition it is in (appears to have been hardly worn), and for only $40! Half the price of the used issue coat I also purchased. The kersey wool is amazing - warm and weather repellant). Every time I’ve worn the vintage coat I’ve received a constant stream of compliments (including some very kind comments from a veteran from the 40s and 50s who noticed that the coat was vintage and like what he wore in the early 50s - the only difference being that the coat I have has the small shield on the sleeve for the Coast Guard). So these comments are worthless without at lease one photo, and I’ll try to get some posted soon. Thanks again and all the best!

I bought a WWII Coast Guard coat a few years ago. I think it was a size 44, but fit me a tinch small. I resold it on ebay. The Kersey material on that coat was incredible - velvet like, very dense, and very strong. . It was even nicer then my vintage Navy coats. Definitely a different batch of material as compared to my vintage Navy coats. I also have one WWII coat which has great Kersey material, but still not the same as that Coast Guard coat.

 

[Peacoat]

Don't tell that to the Navy. . .