Help in ID'ing a Naval Uniform please.

[johnm]

Hello Everyone, 

 

Longtime lurker and site aficionado!

 

I was hoping someone could help me identify what found in an antique store. I thought it was a WW1 US Naval uniform but now I am not sure what it is. Can anyone ID it? 

 

Thanks in advance!

John

 

[Marshallj]

Why do you think it is Navy?

[JohnK83882]

The propeller is for machinist mate. The chevrons are coming up as British.

 

This is RAF but similar. https://www.windsormedals.com/RAF_Chief_Tech_Combat_DPM_Slide_Royal_Air_Force_p/rcrs09.htm

[JohnK83882]

The design of the jacket certainly seems to be US. https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-US/american-school/us-navy-uniforms-1899-colour-litho/colour-lithograph/asset/6028787

[sigsaye]

7 minutes ago, JohnK83882 said:

The propeller is for machinist mate. The chevrons are coming up as British.

 

This is RAF but similar. https://www.windsormedals.com/RAF_Chief_Tech_Combat_DPM_Slide_Royal_Air_Force_p/rcrs09.htm

Standard “Maritime” style of the era, but not USN. Not sure if it’s a non US Navy or merchant of some sort. 

[johnm]

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge. 

 

Yes, based on the mohair edging I was under the impression it was some sort of US Maritme Officer uniform. I assumed it was for a machinist of some sort due to collar prop symbol. I was wondering if it was a Coast Guard or some sort of Reserve division. I didn't think that civilian mariners wore a Navy type of uniform but I could be wrong.

 

There are no interior markings but it's well tailored and typical of the pre-WW1 era with lined sleeves and padded shoulders.

[JohnK83882]

Whatever service it came from, it could be from the same manufacturer that did US Navy uniforms.

[JohnK83882]

20 minutes ago, sigsaye said:

Standard “Maritime” style of the era, but not USN. Not sure if it’s a non US Navy or merchant of some sort. 

 

I can't argue with a guy who does civil war reenactments, at least according to your pic.

[sigsaye]

1 hour ago, JohnK83882 said:

 

I can't argue with a guy who does civil war reenactments, at least according to your pic.

  I’ve been studying US Navy uniforms and culture for a squish over 50 years. 

[JohnK83882]

14 minutes ago, sigsaye said:

  I’ve been studying US Navy uniforms and culture for a squish over 50 years. 

Wow!

[Father V]

Sigsaye is definitely the man!

[sigsaye]

2 hours ago, johnm said:

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge. 

 

Yes, based on the mohair edging I was under the impression it was some sort of US Maritme Officer uniform. I assumed it was for a machinist of some sort due to collar prop symbol. I was wondering if it was a Coast Guard or some sort of Reserve division. I didn't think that civilian mariners wore a Navy type of uniform but I could be wrong.

 

There are no interior markings but it's well tailored and typical of the pre-WW1 era with lined sleeves and padded shoulders.

Yes, at the turn of the century, most civilian merchant companies provided “Navsl Style” uniforms to crew members ( mostly “Top Siders”), and officers provided their own uniforms, ( also “Naval Style”), with Company insignia 

[johnm]

Thank you very much Sigsaye! You have cleared up a mystery for me!

 

Since the uniform is not in my collection focus, may I ask someone to point me in the right direction to offer it up on the forum, whom may interested in Civil Maritime uniforms?

 

John

 

[JohnK83882]

5 hours ago, sigsaye said:

  I’ve been studying US Navy uniforms and culture for a squish over 50 years. 

Would it be a reasonable guess that his uniform is the same basic jacket used by the US Navy at that time but perhaps with another maritime service's cuff braid and collar devices? He could still reasonably sell it as a US Navy 1890s uniform jacket.

[Justin B.]

13 hours ago, JohnK83882 said:

Would it be a reasonable guess that his uniform is the same basic jacket used by the US Navy at that time but perhaps with another maritime service's cuff braid and collar devices? He could still reasonably sell it as a US Navy 1890s uniform jacket.

 

It is the same basic jacket. In the merchant service they were sometimes called the "military coat" or "tunic." In the US Navy, the uniform originated at the Naval Academy and was then adopted by all officers in 1877, and was then replaced by the double-breasted open collar and tie style after WW1. They were expensive and not very practical for working in small vessels, and though they looked sharp fresh from the tailor, they did not do well with normal wear and tear expected of a working unform.

Because it was the US Navy officer uniform, steamship companies that used the style tended to be US or South American. But there were a great many companies large and small that wore the same type. I've never seen the chevrons on the collar, that might be a good clue to someone who knows about this stuff. Member @senhoragua is very knowledgeable on that kind of thing.