Schott: Black - Classic Melton Wool Naval Pea Coat, USA Made

Our 32" classic 32 ounce melton wool naval pea coat features military anchor buttons, hand warmer pockets, vented back and nylon quilted lining. Our wool is 75 percent reprocessed wool, 25 percent nylon and other fibers. The contents are interlocked and pressed together before the wool is cut to ensure maximum protection against the elements. Made in USA. Schott: Black - classic 32 Oz. melton wool naval pea coat.

The US Navy peacoat was adopted during the early 20th Century, from Britains 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 Pilots Jacket to P. Jacket, then being miss pelt / 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. Manufactured by Schott Brothers NYC.