Naval Pea Coat - Material: Melton Wool - Mil-Spec
Description
Our Classic 32 oz. Melton Wool Naval Peacoat, military anchor buttons, hand warmer pockets, Two inside chest pockets, vented back and nylon quilted lining. Our wool is 80% reprocessed wool, 20% nylon and other fibers. The contents are interlocked and pressed together before the wool is cut to ensure maximum protection against the elements. The Navy on the 740 is a traditional dark navy color that is almost black. You would notice blue hint when comparing to actual black. Made in the USA.
- 32" Length (also available in long sizes 34" Length)
- 32 oz Melton Wool
- Military Anchor Buttons
- Hand Warmer Pockets
- Two Inside Chest Pockets
- Vented Back
- Nylon Quilted Lining
- Made In U.S.A.
The US Navy Pea Coat was adopted during the early 20th Century, from Britain’s Royal Navy Reefer Jacket. The Royal Navies first regulations for uniforms for other ranks were issued in 1857, a century after the regulations for officers and this garment was originally used by Midshipmen ( Reefers ). These crewmen had to climb the rigging and furl and unfurl, or ‘reef’, the sails of the sailing ships of the era.
The jacket was short, to allow ease of movement through the rigging. It had a double-breasted front, which displaced the buttons to each side. This helped reduce the chance of them getting caught on ropes, as the wearer maneuvered the sails. The pockets were often close to vertical, and over the flanks, rather than horizontal and at wrist level. It was made of a very heavy wool, in dark Navy blue, with a nap on the face side.
The success of the style is proved by its singularly universal appearance throughout the Navies of Europe. This may account for the US Navies nomenclature as an Anglicization of the Dutch ‘Pijekkat, being a jacket made of ‘Pij’ (a coarse wool) cloth. Conversely, it may be from the shortening of the Belgium Navies term ‘Pilot’s Jacket’ to P. Jacket, then being misspelt / adapted to Pea Coat. The term ‘Pea Jacket’ is reputed to first appear in the Oxford English Dictionary between 1717 and 1723. ‘Pea Coat’ does not appear for another century
Sizing
Chest - Hang arms loosely at your side and measure around your body, just under the armpits. It's best to have second person help measure.
Length - We recommend people to go for the long size if they are over 6'2", or have long arms/torsos.
