Blazer/Tunic type jacket with rank.

anybody please got any idea of date/era and what the rank is on the sleeve please?

Thanks

That's a Quartermaster's topcoat. No real idea on the vintage of the insignia, because we usually have an eagle-- and it hasn't changed from WWI, WWII, or current-era. Even the USMS has the bird, although it is possible that this belonged to a Merchant Marine.

Usually, merchant rates have USMS over top, but not always. This could be one worn during peacetime. I still think it's a merchant navy jacket tho. several reasons:

-like sh4pak said, if it was USN, it'd have a crow above the stripes

-only time anyone below the rate of Chief Petty Officer wore this style coat in the USN was in the 70's and for that, the rate is on the wrong sleeve

-USN went to 6 buttons in the 1930's

I don't know where my merchant seaman's manual is and if it even has a rank structure in it. I'll try to dig it out.

Fins...

The insignia,whatever it is,is on the wrong sleeve to be USN.
ripcord

Thanks Guys for the info,Lord only knows why I keep on buying things on a whim not knowing what the hell they are

Would a pic of the buttons help?

ripcord wrote:The insignia,whatever it is,is on the wrong sleeve to be USN.
ripcord

Not necessarily. 'Deck' rates , of which the Quartermaster branch was a part, were right sleeve rates until either 1947 or 48. Before 1900 or so, your rate was worn depending on whether you were stationed on the port or starboard side of the ship. Thus, it was possible to see 2 guys with the same rate, with insignia on opposite sleeves.


Gulf,

It might. They look like USN buttons to me, but the direction they pace changed in the 1930's, so it might help date it a bit.

Fins...

Good info !!

Thanks,

I believe I have also seen photos of Insignia worn on both sleeves.

Does anybody have any info on that ?????

Would love to see a photo of the buttons.



ripcord.

Again,fantastic info

Will post some pics of the buttons when I get home from work tonight.

One thing I noticed that was odd in that of the 2 rows of buttons,1 row are sewn in place while the other row are held in place by split pins which I gather is so they can be removed easily for the tunic to be laundered etc but why only the 1 side being removeable?

Even with Macro,cannot get this piece of crap camera to focus properly on the buttons.

Gary, is that split-pin soldered shut?

This coat is starting to look a trifle older than 70's vintage.

Oh, and btw-- don't feel bad about buying stuff without knowing exactly what it is. I do it all the time. The "hit-or-miss" process generally yields as many treasures as it does crap, and the crap usually at least ends up paying for itself.

Havent taken much notice as to if its solder or some form of clip to keep the split pin closed.