WWII and WWI Naval Uniforms

[US Victory Museum]

Hey-Ho, Ya'll. Long time no post.

 

I thought I'd post a few items that came into my possession recently.

The first two are a pair of Navy Uniforms from differing eras.

 

I don't know why, but when it comes to collecting militaria, navy

uniforms just don't seem to light anyone's fires. I see specimens

selling for bottom dollar on Ebay all the time. I guess that not too

many people re-enact naval engagements so it's just the collectors

and living history groups competing for them.

 

The trousers are suspended on a coat hanger stuffed down into the tunic

so that it does not show in the photo. I also have, but forgot to

photo, two pair of Navy marked (NXs-s26505 Arjol Mfg Co.3/30/1943)

leggings. Do any of ya'll know whether the Navy contracted their own

M1923 cartridge belts and/or pistol belts? I'd like to add a naval

landing party uniform to our displays, but I want everything to be

correct. (If they didn't, what would be more correct, using Army or

Marine marked equipment?)

[US Victory Museum]

I'm sure that it would look better on a mannequin, but I've included

a USN MK-2 Helmet and Talker system.

[US Victory Museum]

Inside view of the USN MK-2 helmet.

[US Victory Museum]

Dress whites and pancake hat.

 

 

Does anyone know whether these are from the same era, or whether

I've created an anachronism?

 

The pancake hat is roughly 12" in diameter; however, the hat size

is an incredible 6 1/4! The patch is a wonderfully embroidered

eagle that is fabricated to give a true 3D appearance.

[US Victory Museum]

The Powder Monkey is wearing a similar style hat.

 

However, this photo is from the 1860's. My hat is much later.

[US Victory Museum]

The photo doesn't do this patch justice. The embroidery is layered

to create a 3D eagle. The head, neck and wings are all on the same

layer, but the chest is two layers thicker.

[US Victory Museum]

Tags. 6 1/4 !

[US Victory Museum]

On the flip side of the hat is a star above an eagle

above a single chevron (all embroidered in white.)

 

This is the flip side of the tunic too.

 

LAST PICTURE IN THIS SERIES.

[Teamski]

Nice uniforms. You are right about values. They don't seem to go for that much. A real shame. They represent some of the key battles of WWII.

 

-Ski

[sigsaye]

On the flip side of the hat is a star above an eagle

above a single chevron (all embroidered in white.)

 

This is the flip side of the tunic too.

 

LAST PICTURE IN THIS SERIES.

Great uniforms! A couple of things though. The white flat hat is definately NOT Navy. It is some civilian hat most likely for a child. The Navy never wore white flat hats ("Pancake hat" is also not a Navy term). They did have white covers up to the Spanish American War that they wore over their blue flat hats. But, this is not a Navy hat.

 

The white jumper is pre WW2. They were dropped in 1940.

 

The blue uniform is a dress uniform. The phones and talker helmet would not be worn with this uniform. Additionally, neither of these uniforms would be worn on a landing party. They are for insopection, Quarterdeck watches, Liberty and Leave.

 

Look great though.

 

Steve Hesson