Dating navy peacoats

How do you date a Navy pea coat?

Early coats had three to six wood or brass buttons with Navy insignia such as anchors on them and may be dated as pre-20th century. British Navy coats had large brass buttons in the second part of the 19th century. Determine what color the coat is. Vintage Navy pea coats are navy blue. U.S. Navy pea coats have been black since 1980.

When did you first become interested in vintage Navy peacoats?

I first became interested in vintage Navy peacoats while trying to replace a coat my brother-in-law had given me in about 1971 when he got out of the Navy. Initially, I bought two of them, one at an Army Navy surplus store and one on EBay. Neither had the same outer shell finish as the original one I had liked so well.

Are there any navy issue peacoats on the board?

Only Navy issue peacoats are discussed. Because of certain limitations inherent in the Board, I will submit this article in five separate posts. The earliest photograph I have of a peacoat is of a WWI era peacoat. Notice the two sets of pockets on the front of the coat and the extra length of the coat.

What is a Navy pea coat?

Military surplus coat, produced for the US Navy. A pea coat (or pea jacket, pilot jacket) is an outer coat, generally of a navy-coloured heavy wool, originally worn by sailors of European and later American navies.

How can you tell the age of a vintage Navy pea coat?

U.S. and British sailors wore these coats in World War II. Knowing what clues to look for can help you tell the general age of a vintage Navy pea coat. Go through the inside of the vintage Navy pea coat, along the seams, to find a label.

How do you date a peacoat?

Brush the coat frequently and have it dry cleaned at the end of the season to remove any particles that moths might find tasty. Hopefully this article will make it easier for interested parties to put a date, or at least an era, on that peacoat they have been wondering about, or thinking of purchasing.

How can I tell if a pea coat is authentic?

Fashion outlets are unlikely to carry authentic military supplied pea coats. Check that the coat is double-breasted. Official navy pea coats are double-breasted to ensure warmth. Look closely at the buttons. There should be six visible buttons and all should carry an anchor design on the front. Check that the material used is 32 oz. Melton wool.

Are there any navy issue peacoats on the board?

Only Navy issue peacoats are discussed. Because of certain limitations inherent in the Board, I will submit this article in five separate posts. The earliest photograph I have of a peacoat is of a WWI era peacoat. Notice the two sets of pockets on the front of the coat and the extra length of the coat.

What is the history of a Navy pea coat?

These coats originally were winter garments of British and Dutch sailors, and the name is Dutch in origin. The Dutch word pij, for the type of wool used to make the coats, evolved into pea. U.S. and British sailors wore these coats in World War II. Knowing what clues to look for can help you tell the general age of a vintage Navy pea coat.

What is a pea jacket?

Pea coats are characterized by short length, broad lapels, double-breasted fronts, often large wooden, metal or plastic buttons, and vertical or slash pockets. References to the pea jacket appear in American newspapers at least as early as the 1720s, and modern renditions still maintain the original design and composition.

How much wool is in a pea coat?

The standard for historical pea coats was 30 ounces (approx. 850 g) wool, most often made of heavy Melton cloth through the 1970s in the U.S. Navy. Presently coats are made from 22–32 oz (620–910 g) wool. While pea coats are offered in many colors by retailers, the US Navy -issue pea coat is dark blue.

How can you tell if a pea coat is vintage?

Determine what color the coat is. Vintage Navy pea coats are navy blue. U.S. Navy pea coats have been black since 1980. Look for the telltale signs of modern fashion, such as lightweight fabric, bright colors, zippers or hoods.