Consolidated Topics - United States Shipping Board USSB 1917 - 1936

[ScottG]

   

WWI US Navy Sailor ID: United States Shipping Board USSB

 

I received this from another museum clean out yesterday and aside from being navy, I have no idea of the time period or what it actually is. As you can see the bib has only two stripes so it isn't something I am familiar with. Any help to i.d. it is greatly appreciated. My opinion is WWI but the two stripes are throwing me off.   Thank you, Scott.

 

 

[29navy]

The stripe is missing because someone removed it. We (USN) didn't have two stripes.  Does it have any tags? It could be between WWI and 1944.

[ScottG]

4 minutes ago, 29navy said:

The stripe is missing because someone removed it. We (USN) didn't have two stripes.  Does it have any tags? It could be between WWI and 1944.

 

       Nope, nothing removed and there are no stripes at the cuffs and never were. Its really an odd piece. Thanks for the input though.    Scott

[KurtA]

Seaman 2nd Class.   Prior to WW2 or so, the # of stripes indicated the rate.  
 

One Stripe: Apprentice Seaman 

Two Stripes: Seaman 2nd Class 

Three Stripes: Seaman 1st Class  or Petty Officer 

[DD937]

Can we see the cuffs? My guess would be USSB United States Shipping Board. The enlisted sailors wore jumpers with two rows of pipping on the flap and cuffs. It's most likely impossible to say but maybe the recruits had to earn the pipping on the on the cuffs like USN recruits/apprentices/ seaman did as Kurt noted. A none rated USSB sailor would have two rows of tape/pipping on the cuffs and a DM on the sleeve, Petty Officers wore a rate badge like USN but the eagle was replaced by a USSB logo.

 

[ScottG]

12 minutes ago, DD937 said:

Can we see the cuffs? My guess would be USSB United States Shipping Board. The enlisted sailors wore jumpers with two rows of pipping on the flap and cuffs. It's most likely impossible to say but maybe the recruits had to earn the pipping on the on the cuffs like USN recruits/apprentices/ seaman did as Kurt noted. A none rated USSB sailor would have two rows of tape/pipping on the cuffs and a DM on the sleeve, Petty Officers wore a rate badge like USN but the eagle was replaced by a USSB logo.

 

 

     Interesting information, the jumper is at the museum and I am at home, but there are no stripes on the cuffs and no ghosting or stitch marks indicating there ever were any. Thanks for the lead and perhaps solving what this is.     Scott

[QED4]

It could be a Middy Blouse, a popular fashion item around WWI. 

[DD937]

Most Middys were meant to mimic USN  and had three rows of tape and a makers tag.

[29navy]

On 2/6/2026 at 9:37 PM, KurtA said:

Seaman 2nd Class.   Prior to WW2 or so, the # of stripes indicated the rate.  
 

One Stripe: Apprentice Seaman 

Two Stripes: Seaman 2nd Class 

Three Stripes: Seaman 1st Class  or Petty Officer 

That was on the cuffs of the dress blues.

[Salvage Sailor]

Nope

 

Note the Two Rows of original piping on the Bib.  Dead giveway to the ID - United States Shipping Board (USSB) Uniform

 

There ya go

[sigsaye]

15 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

Nope

 

Note the Two Rows of original piping on the Bib.  Dead giveway to the ID - United States Shipping Board (USSB) Uniform

 

There ya go

Agree!  There’s a whole thread on these. 

[stucky151]

A couple of USSB covers in my possession for reference.