- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
My current issue of Military Images arrived today. This issue has an article, Navy Round Jackets, by Ron Field. This made me wonder about somethings.
"Monkey Jackets" were worn for years, possibly starting in 1791 or earlier. By 1844 the US Navy was issuing two styles of short jackets, "Monkey Jackets" and "Round Jackets". In general the "Monkey Jackets" and "Round Jackets" look rather simular with the "Round Jackets" being a bit looser, longer, and the two rows of buttons wider apart then the double rows of buttons on the "Monkey Jackets". So why were two different styles of Jackets issued? Both styles of jackets seem to be worn for the same purpose.
My first thought was that the Navy had a large number of "Monkey Jackets" in storage when the "Round Jackets" were adopted and so issued some men one style of jacket and other men the other. Still there was a long overlap when both styles were being issued. But the government usually issues all the old stock before issuing many of the newer style. This did not appear to be the case because the Navy was still purchasing "Monkey Jackets".
If forum members could answer a couple questions I could better understand this.
1) Were there any difference between function which could separate the two style of jackets?
2) By the start of the Civil War it appears that the "Round Jackets" had almost completely replaced the "Monkey Jackets". Does anyone know if the US Navy purchased "Monkey Jackets" during the Civil War?
3) The US Navy did not purchase many jackets during the Civil War. Was this because the US Navy did not see a need for enlisted sailors to wear the more dressy jackets?
In 1848 until 1853 the Navy was getting 1000 "Monkey Jackets" and 4000 "Round Jackets per year. Starting in 1854 it appeared that "Round Jackets" had superseded the older " Monkey Jackets". Still photographs show the "Monkey Jacket" was worn throughout the Civil War. If a sailor was issued a "Monkey Jacket" in 1854-1856 could the jacket have lasted throughout the Civil War? If so, wearing the "Monkey Jacket" instead of a "Round Jacket" would likely have became a kind of status symbol for old salts.
"Monkey Jackets" were worn for years, possibly starting in 1791 or earlier. By 1844 the US Navy was issuing two styles of short jackets, "Monkey Jackets" and "Round Jackets". In general the "Monkey Jackets" and "Round Jackets" look rather simular with the "Round Jackets" being a bit looser, longer, and the two rows of buttons wider apart then the double rows of buttons on the "Monkey Jackets". So why were two different styles of Jackets issued? Both styles of jackets seem to be worn for the same purpose.
My first thought was that the Navy had a large number of "Monkey Jackets" in storage when the "Round Jackets" were adopted and so issued some men one style of jacket and other men the other. Still there was a long overlap when both styles were being issued. But the government usually issues all the old stock before issuing many of the newer style. This did not appear to be the case because the Navy was still purchasing "Monkey Jackets".
If forum members could answer a couple questions I could better understand this.
1) Were there any difference between function which could separate the two style of jackets?
2) By the start of the Civil War it appears that the "Round Jackets" had almost completely replaced the "Monkey Jackets". Does anyone know if the US Navy purchased "Monkey Jackets" during the Civil War?
3) The US Navy did not purchase many jackets during the Civil War. Was this because the US Navy did not see a need for enlisted sailors to wear the more dressy jackets?
In 1848 until 1853 the Navy was getting 1000 "Monkey Jackets" and 4000 "Round Jackets per year. Starting in 1854 it appeared that "Round Jackets" had superseded the older " Monkey Jackets". Still photographs show the "Monkey Jacket" was worn throughout the Civil War. If a sailor was issued a "Monkey Jacket" in 1854-1856 could the jacket have lasted throughout the Civil War? If so, wearing the "Monkey Jacket" instead of a "Round Jacket" would likely have became a kind of status symbol for old salts.