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Chief Petty Officer Combination Cover Anchor Collectors


holdaas
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The Uniform Regulations before WW2 described and illustrated officers' items in great detail, but the CPO cap device was kind of ignored, without much description or close-up illustrations. The 1922 edition, describing the cable, is an exception. In 1941 they went back to describing the CPO anchor more vaguely. The only illustration is of the entire cap, but the anchor is fouled with a cable, not a chain:

 

post-3982-0-54932700-1354328133.jpg

 

In the 1943 "Naval Officer's Uniform Plan", which the Navy Department put out as a guide for those new to purchasing navy uniforms, the anchor is illustrated with a cable:post-3982-0-78288000-1354328348.jpg

 

The 1947 regulations were not illustrated, but again the description doesn't specify chain or cable. The 1951 edition doesn't, either, but finally includes a detailed illustration:

post-3982-0-39973600-1354328561.jpg

 

My guess is that, absent more detailed specs, some maker(s) began to use a chain and for whatever reason it caught on and became standard.

 

Justin B.

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I'm finally home and able to get organized, from left to right.

 

#1 U.S. Naval Clothing Factory - I know it isn't an anchor, but I believe it preceded the anchor from 1893 - 1897.

#2 No markings

#3 No Markings

#4 A E Co.

#5 No Markings

post-104733-0-74145500-1354596849_thumb.jpg

 

Left to right

 

#1 Sterling

#2 Sterling, very corroded.

#3 Gemsco N.Y. Acid Test

post-104733-0-97734200-1354597127_thumb.jpg

 

Left to Right

 

#1 Sterling, corroded

#2 Sterling

#3 Sterling Acid Test

#4 Sterling

post-104733-0-69593100-1354597289_thumb.jpg

 

Left to Right - Looking for the third type of Senior Chief Anchor here...not 100% sure it exists?

 

#1 V-21-N Vanguard

#2 W-22-N Vanguard

#3 V-21-N Vanguard

#4 V-21-N Vanguard

#5 V-21-N Vanguard (I know this is a fake but it's still a good display piece.)

post-104733-0-95902200-1354597961_thumb.jpg

 

Left to Right

 

#1 Amico Sterling +1/20 10k

#2 I can't make out the mark, I'll post it later to see if any of you can make it out.

#3 Sterling

#4 Another one I can't make out, Acid Test

post-104733-0-37288700-1354598362_thumb.jpg

 

I know these aren't combination cover anchors, still looking for the third type of Senior Chief Anchor.

post-104733-0-34446000-1354598634_thumb.jpg

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I'm missing the middle one, I got this off of the San Diego Navy Historical Association website.

 

This example shows three different collar devices. The one on the left was purchased in 1961, the middle one was purchased in 1982 while the one on the right was purchased in 1993.

 

I assumed you were referring to the collar devices?

post-104733-0-41449200-1354639886_thumb.jpg

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I'm hoping to get some help with the markings on a few of my anchors. I believe this one may say Amcraft across the top, not sure what it says underneath?

post-104733-0-28837300-1354646215.jpg

 

Another photo of the same anchor.

post-104733-0-82322700-1354646316.jpg

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Here's the oddest one I have, I can't make anything out with this one but it looks double stamped to me.

post-104733-0-31033900-1354646467_thumb.jpg

 

Another photo of the second anchor.

post-104733-0-59674200-1354646566_thumb.jpg

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I'm hoping to get some help with the markings on a few of my anchors. I believe this one may say Amcraft across the top, not sure what it says underneath?

 

Yep thats AMCRAFT ATTLEBORO MASS.

 

Graham.

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The 1947 regulations were not illustrated, but again the description doesn't specify chain or cable. The 1951 edition doesn't, either, but finally includes a detailed illustration:

post-3982-0-39973600-1354328561.jpg

 

My guess is that, absent more detailed specs, some maker(s) began to use a chain and for whatever reason it caught on and became standard.

 

Justin B.

 

Great information, thanks very much.

 

Regards,

 

The Wharfmaster

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The 1947 regulations didn't have a picture but they did introduce the combination cap band. Steve mentioned it earlier in the post and I believe he has a good point, you'd likely have a heck of a time getting the pin-back anchors through the leather mount.

Pin-back anchors with chain are a dime-dozen on most internet auction sites which places the chain mod pre-1947 in my opinion.

4A-40. Cap Device (Combination Cap). - The cap device on the combination cap shall be a gold foul anchor. The length of the anchor including the fouling shall measure 1-13/16", shall be 1-3/16" wide at the flukes, 1-1/16" wide at the stock, and the entire device shall be of a size to be inscribed in a circle 1-7/8" in diameter. The unfouled arm of the stock shall be on the wearer's right. The cap device shall be attached to the mount of the combination cap band.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Here's how I'm currently displaying my collection, not very fancy but at least they're out and I can look at them when I want to.

post-104733-0-80799200-1357247121_thumb.jpg

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Here is my only vintage pin. I believe the pin is an actual CPO pin soldered ontop of the ship's wheel. Named and dated on the reverse.

post-50776-0-42727100-1399608668.jpg

post-50776-0-11454100-1399608678.jpg

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  • 2 months later...

The Chief's anchor was sewn to the cap from 1897 until around 1920 which makes this one old and fairly rare.

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Does anyone have an 1893 CPO Cap device they're willing to part with? Endlessly trying to get my hands on one and seems like they only go on Ebay once in a great while.

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I just watched one go for $200+ on ebay this week...I only have one so far, I was fortunate enough to have stumbled across it last year. If I'm lucky enough to find a second, I'll keep you in mind. I posted about them last year too.

 

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/158611-chief-petty-officer-cap-device-1893-1897/

 

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Thank you, yes I was watching it on Ebay this week as well and would have paid that amount despite being in a meeting when the auction ended so instead I got the big outbid.

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The 5-6 that I've seen sell on ebay averaged between $120 - $160...I've seen them as high as $325, I'd say this weeks was higher than average.

 

The new Chiefs were pinned in September and, in my opinion, prices sky rocket for 3-4 months following the pinning...I only collect CPO related items. I found mine in a group of Navy buttons and the seller likely didn't realize the significance of the device...I got a ridiculously great deal by doing it this way but it took a little patience to find it.

 

OBTW, being outbid in the last 2 seconds of any auction ruins my day.

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Thanks brother, I've been combing Ebay doing the same. I've only seen two posted in the last year with one going for $300+ and then this one for $204 so those are the only two I've seen to get a good baseline. I'm right with you about being outbid which is why I wish I could have been online when I was outbid. I'll continue on my quest and please keep me in mind if you see any online elsewhere.

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