Dating us navy jumper

[Roby]

Hi everyone,

 

since usn uniform is not my specific area of collecting I’m asking some info on this jumper I recently acquired.

I was interested in the liberty cuffs and since I paid very little for it (5$) I decided to go for it.

 

My main doubt was about the period. The jumper has the internal eyelets for the drawstring and I read that this was a pre 1944 specific (correct me if I’m wrong) but since it is a commercial jumper it has no date in it or military label. It just have the label of “Sea-Eagle”, 100% wool. I saw some other navy uniform manufactured by this company but was unable to find any info on it. When was this company operating?

Could it be a WWII jumper or is it from a later period?

 

Additionally the jumper has liberty cuffs but it looks like that there were some kind of big patch also on the back of the collar (there are green threads like those used for the liberty cuffs).

 

Any additional info is greatly appreciated.

 

Many thanks to everyone.

[DD937]

This is most likely a 60-70s vintage jumper. The Fireman apprentice patch is what we referred to as a pea coat patch it is a fully embroidered patch that was common from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. What ever that big patch was it had to have been bold for sure but it also would have interfered with the proper pressing of the uniform. From the  Liberty cuffs I would say he was proud of working in a Boiler or Engine room but with no specialty mark he did not graduate BT or MM A school and was most likely an undesignated striker. Not what you  wanted to hear but at five bucks it was a no briner for sure.

[Roby]

Thanks for the reply DD937. As long as it’s an original piece I’m happy considering the price.

 

Just for my understanding, a part from the patch, what are the main elements indicating that this jumper is from 60s-70s?

[sigsaye]

On 1/29/2026 at 4:37 PM, Roby said:

Thanks for the reply DD937. As long as it’s an original piece I’m happy considering the price.

 

Just for my understanding, a part from the patch, what are the main elements indicating that this jumper is from 60s-70s?

It’s a commercially produced item, for sale off base. The Liberty cuff is commercially produced, very common 1960-1970s. The patch was from post 1975, so that would put this item, post 1980, when the jumper was reintroduced and newer patches were not yet available. List of guys went out and got nice uniforms as soon as they were authorized, to get out of the Zumwalt era uniforms that were mostly hated. This kid went all out, with getting cuffs added too. 

[Roby]

On 2/2/2026 at 10:59 PM, sigsaye said:

It’s a commercially produced item, for sale off base. The Liberty cuff is commercially produced, very common 1960-1970s. The patch was from post 1975, so that would put this item, post 1980, when the jumper was reintroduced and newer patches were not yet available. List of guys went out and got nice uniforms as soon as they were authorized, to get out of the Zumwalt era uniforms that were mostly hated. This kid went all out, with getting cuffs added too. 

Thank you so much sigsaye for all the info. I got confused by the 2 eyelets on the hips. I didn’t think that there could be still some crackerjacks with them around 40 years after the dismission. I know military stuff is used way after the dismission date but didn’t think that much.

[sigsaye]

16 minutes ago, Roby said:

Thank you so much sigsaye for all the info. I got confused by the 2 eyelets on the hips. I didn’t think that there could be still some crackerjacks with them around 40 years after the dismission. I know military stuff is used way after the dismission date but didn’t think that much.

The loops replaced toe eyelets. They still put them on the jumpers. 

[Roby]

21 minutes ago, sigsaye said:

The loops replaced toe eyelets. They still put them on the jumpers. 

All clear, thank you!

[sigsaye]

Found some pics of a pre WW2, USN, Undress Blue Jumper. Shows rear facing crown, draw string and laundry eyelets.