Pea coat

[joseph connor]

Clearing out a little used wardrobe the other day squashed on the end of the rail was something I,d forgotten about which took me back 50 years, was my U S navy pea coat bought in Bernards surplus store in N Y, complete with blobs of red lead and white gloss,lol and it still fits me!! I am sure a lot of you will have bought one, wonderful things weight a ton double breasted with a collar that comes up over your ears for those colder climes . I was going to throw it out years ago but my daughter stopped me. next door was a bar where Brits could get a beer under 21 [ to do with the convoys ww11 I believe]. joe connor

[Charlie Hannah]

Joe i bought one same store Bernard's had it for year gave it to our kid in the end as i was over here in Oz and no longer need it.They were great .

[Richard Quartermaine]

Things like that were made in the days of quality material and workmanship. When I was working in the pay office of Turriff Taylor's Couper Angus pipeline construction site they sent me to help with the Christmas 1975 pay at the Flotta Island terminal in Scappa Flow, Orkney. First stop was to the stores where I was issued with a zip up canvas like material jacket and a pair of wellies, both needed to cross from my cabin to the cafeteria and office. Now that's 40 years ago and on a couple of years ago I said a sad farewell to my garment so tried and trusty. The wellies are still in use.
Richard

[happy daze john in oz]

Buying clothing overseas can at time sbe frought with danger. Hong Kong back in the 60's. My mate went ashore and was told by a local he could have apair fo shoes made, very special shoes he was told. Like the drop kick he was he ordrede a pair. About three days late he picked up this pair of shoes which he told me were so light on his feet he could hardly feel them. All was fine until he got caught in a shower of rain and his oh so light shoes fell apart. Hong Kong cardboard may look good but it is not waterproof.

I also still have the suit I wore when my wife was married, does it still fit, does it hell!

[j.sabourn]

#3... Sell them to Cappy Richard, he still hangs his as a trophy, and has to get down when he wants to use. In 1975 doubt if they would have had the steel toecaps in, so will now be illegal. Don't suppose if anyone thought about one sinking faster with steel in your boots. As long as the Safety Committee were satisfied that their laws were being observed. Cheers JS

[Richard Quartermaine]

Yes John, just checked , they have steel toecaps. will add a photo later today.
Richard

[j.sabourn]

What about the pea coat, anyone know where the name came from, could it have been only to be worn in pea soupers, or maybe for the convenience of having a pea over the wall without loosening, as believe they only came down to the waist. JS

[gray_marian]

Crikey you lot and they say women are hoarders!......... Now where's that WW2 helmet

[Evan Lewis]

What about the pea coat, anyone know where the name came from, could it have been only to be worn in pea soupers, or maybe for the convenience of having a pea over the wall without loosening, as believe they only came down to the waist. JS

Just a bit of trivia .But actually they were Pea Jackets. Issued to all USN, Ratings They really were warm and comfortable. The Best! Don't know How the name originated , But could be, 'Cos one felt ,Snug as a Pea in a Pod. Much more warmer than the Duffle-Coats. the Old P&O used to issue us with.

[j.sabourn]

#8 Marian just wait till Cappy gets his seaboots off the mantelpiece and compares them with Richards steel capped ones. Richard payed 7/6d old money for them and if he sells to Cappy for their original value allowing for the change in currency and inflation, should be in the region of 200 Australian Dollars, a real bargain. German helmets were utilized for poes under the bed after the war and all have that distinctive smell about them, not worth too much on todays market. Cheers JS