US Naval Academy Merchant Marine Ceremonial "Blue Mess Dress" Jacket

At a glance - 

• 100% Wool Gabardine Material 
• 1 Internal Chest Pocket
• Button Closure
• Hook & Eye Collar
• Slots for Collar & Cuff Attachments
• Double Breasted
• Sateen Lining
• Blue Ceremonial Dress Uniform
• Engraved Staybrite Buttons
• Warrant Officer Cuff Laurels
• Dark Navy / Black Colour

• Chest Size: 40" / Medium Regular
• Sleeve Length: 24.5" / Regular
• Collar to Hem: 21"
• Waist Size: 34"

• Vintage Militaria / 1940's - 1970's Jacket
• Genuine US Armed Forces / United States Marine Corps / United States Army Surplus

Grades - 

• Grade 2 - Great quality surplus for its age. Prior signs of use. Missing the one sleeve cuff and the other is quite grubby. Holes on the collar from where rank pips have been removed by the previous owner. There is a marking on the inner lining too, but no holes or tears and in very good condition over all.

Any questions please feel free to ask!

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Fascinating and beautiful surplus from America. Founded in the midst of WW2, the US Merchant Marine Academy was tasked with training new sailors to protect and defend vital American and Allied trade and transport, all across the globe. Between 1939 - 1945, around 10,000 merchant mariners died in active combat. As a result, troop transports for major events like the D-Day landings were made possible, not to mention the ever growing needs of a war machine and an isolated country like Great Britain's need for imported food.

This particular jacket would've belonged to a gentleman who reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, although the matching collar pips have been removed. The mess dress jacket was designed for formal and ceremonial occasions, promotions, parades and the like. It is beautifully decorated. 

There are minimal practical features, with 2 internal slit pockets being the only real utility piece. However what it lacks in use, it more than makes up for in timeless and elegant style. The jacket is adorned with golden buttons featuring the emblem of the US Navy, along with golden piping across the collar and rank laurels on the cuffs, which add a beautiful contrast against the dark navy / black colour. 

If you're looking for a fantastic piece of history for your collection from an often overlooked faction of the American armed forces, a beautiful piece such as this from the Naval Academy may be just the thing!

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