BACKGROUND: German Naval uniforms and headgear were based on traditional designs that date back to the creation of the Prussian Navy in 1848, and although the uniforms and headgear did evolve during the interim years, many items used during the Third Reich would still have been quite recognizable to the Imperial sailor. The Pea jacket was a basic, traditional, uniform item issued to enlisted personnel and Junior NCO’s, with minor variations, and followed the basic design of the Imperial German Navy and Reichsmarine Pea jackets. The most easily visible difference between the Reichsmarine and Kriegsmarine era Pea jackets was the Reichsmarine era Pea jackets had two, vertical, rows of six, visible, front closure buttons while the Kriegsmarine era Pea jackets had two, vertical, rows of five, visible front closure buttons with an additional button hidden beneath each lapel. On later produced Third Reich era Pea jackets the buttons under the lapels were usually omitted. The early Third Reich era Pea jackets were manufactured with a single back panel until regulations of 1939 altered the construction to two back panels with a central, vertical seam. Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result were allotted a clothing allowance through the OKK, Offizier Kleiderkasse der Kriegsmarine, (Officer’s Clothing Account of the Navy). Although enlisted personnel were issued their uniforms and headgear from government supplies they were also permitted to purchase privately tailored items although the price may have been restrictive. Generally speaking officers bought nice quality, private purchase, uniform items but they could also choose to buy their uniforms directly from the military clothing depots.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, navy blue wool, double breasted jacket with fine whipcord weave. Opened neck jacket features fold back up-swept peak lapels and two parallel rows of five fire gilted, fouled anchor buttons with corresponding button holes to either side of front closure. Jacket also has an additional fire gilted fouled anchor button under each fold back lapel. Top button hole on left panel has an Iron Cross 2nd class ribbon handstitched in place. Left breast has a slightly diagonally angled slash pocket and two horizontal thread loops for wear of an award. Right breast with hand embroidered national eagle in gilt wire threads. Eagle is mounted on a cut-out navy blue wool base which is neatly handstitched to jacket. Jacket has two horizontal slash hip pockets with straight edged flaps. Lower forearm of each sleeve has two horizontal, regulation patterned rank tress stripes. Situated just above the rank tress stripes on each sleeve is the career insignia consisting of a hand embroidered five point star on a navy blue wool base. Interior fully lined in navy blue rayon with white striped sleeves. Lining has a horizontal slash pocket to each breast. All the buttons retain their fire gilted finish and look to have their original stitching. Very nice example. Jacket roughly size 38" chest.