A small challenge for the military clothing experts

[Astacus]

I am trying to track down what this uniform is. It dates from a few years prewar probably and MAY be merchant navy. Can anyone help out?



And a blow up of the cap badge



Cheers

Edited by Astacus on Sunday 5th March 01:59

[WindyCommon]

This picture of my great-grandfather in his Merchant Navy uniform was painted in 1945. Looks quite similar, other than the embellishments of rank?

[Astacus]

Yes it does. Its my Grandfather. There is a rumour he was in the Merchant navy cadets, but we don't really know. The cap badge is similar to the MN badges, but, although the laurel wreath looks the same, I can't make out an anchor.

its hard to tell his age from the photo, but I would put it at mid to late 20s, which would actually place it in the 1920s/ early 30s

[CB2152]

Can't see what's in the middle of the cap badge but the fact it's not a perfect circle makes it look like an officer's.

They are typically a bit more grandiose, for example:

[Astacus]

Thanks, yes, its a shame the detail isn't a bit better

[Astacus]

bump for the evening crowd

[cptsideways]

Loads of old merchant navy cap badges listed on ebay, also spotted a few listed as harbour authorities etc

[benjj]

Stick it up on Rum Ration and you'll have an answer shortly.

www.navy-net.co.uk

Prepare for potential sledging from the Andrew.

[Astacus]

Thanks Ill take a look at Rum Ration.

Ive been through E Bay, but can't find a close match

[DJFish]

You'd presume the RN would wear a white hat.
I don't think MN would have epaulettes on a blazer.
But the cap badge does look nautical, I thought it might be P&O at one point, perhaps a port authority, customs or similar?

[Foliage]

Looks like a fist holding lightening to me.

[CB2152]

DJFish said:

You'd presume the RN would wear a white hat.
I don't think MN would have epaulettes on a blazer.
But the cap badge does look nautical, I thought it might be P&O at one point, perhaps a port authority, customs or similar?

I think it used to be the case that the Royal Navy wore dark coloured/black peaked caps as the norm, and in warmer climates/summer they would put the white cotton covers on. Now I believe white topped peaked caps are the norm. I also took the outerwear to be an overcoat, but if that's true the rank slides should also be on the shoulder.

[Foliage]

CB2152 said:

DJFish said:

You'd presume the RN would wear a white hat.
I don't think MN would have epaulettes on a blazer.
But the cap badge does look nautical, I thought it might be P&O at one point, perhaps a port authority, customs or similar?

I think it used to be the case that the Royal Navy wore dark coloured/black peaked caps as the norm, and in warmer climates/summer they would put the white cotton covers on. Now I believe white topped peaked caps are the norm. I also took the outerwear to be an overcoat, but if that's true the rank slides should also be on the shoulder.

Officer ranks are on the cuff, his hands are behind his back, hence his rank cant be seen, if its there. white covers are climate related.

Just looks like a generic navy uniform to me, rounded shirt collar looks odd though.

[CB2152]

Foliage said:

CB2152 said:

DJFish said:

You'd presume the RN would wear a white hat.
I don't think MN would have epaulettes on a blazer.
But the cap badge does look nautical, I thought it might be P&O at one point, perhaps a port authority, customs or similar?

I think it used to be the case that the Royal Navy wore dark coloured/black peaked caps as the norm, and in warmer climates/summer they would put the white cotton covers on. Now I believe white topped peaked caps are the norm. I also took the outerwear to be an overcoat, but if that's true the rank slides should also be on the shoulder.

Officer ranks are on the cuff, his hands are behind his back, hence his rank cant be seen, if its there. white covers are climate related.

Just looks like a generic navy uniform to me, rounded shirt collar looks odd though.

Ah, I was thinking it was a greatcoat:

[DJFish]

Possibly a foreign/colonial navy?

[DJFish]

It looks like this but reversed...

[CB2152]

Certainly does, I had a bit of a play in Photoshop, resizing and flipping and it's remarkably similar.

[Astacus]

Ahh! thanks that really is a good lead.

I was puzzled by the fact I couldn't make out the anchor, but that would explain it. The photo could easily be negative reversed. I found some evidence that he MAY have been with the British Indian Steam Navigation Company, a fore runner of P&O,

Edited by Astacus on Monday 6th March 23:47

[DJFish]

Bingo!

[Astacus]

Nice find, Many thanks all!