"Monkey Jacket"

[major bill]

Civil War sailors wore monkey jackets and round jackets. We could have a nice thread discussing the differences in the two styles of jackets, but what I am asking tonight is, if "monkey jacket" is a Civil War era term?

Perhaps "monkey jacket" is a more modern term. Are their any "official" Civil War era references where the Navy called it a "monkey jacket"? Did the sailors themselves call them "monkey jackets"? I have seen modern usage of "monkey suit" for military dress uniforms.

 

[John Hartwell]

The term was in use pre-war, as witness this 1858 report of a life jacket:

It was also the name of a style of civilian jacket:

The term "monkey jacket," sometimes "fearnaught monkey jacket" is frequent in advertisements back at least to 1810.

 

[major bill]

The term was in use pre-war, as witness this 1858 report of a life jacket:

View attachment 347770​

It was also the name of a style of civilian jacket:

View attachment 347773​

Interesting.