They supported the calf while marching and prevented mud and debris from getting into a sailor's shoe. Long wool cloth strips called puttees were wrapped tightly around the top of the boot to just below the knee. Instead of trousers, men were issued olive drab wool service breeches, which flared out at the thigh, tapered to the knee and were tight-fitting to the calf where they ended with a lace-up closure. Land-based sailors were issued pullover flannel shirts in olive drab that had a collar, two pockets, three buttons on the placket and sleeve reinforcement over the elbows. Each coat had four flapped pockets and five buttons. Service coat: Made of olive drab wool and cotton liner, this single-breasted coat had a short standing collar that hooked and displayed two discs: one saying 'U.S.' and later the regimental number the other contained the branch emblem and, generally, company letter. Land-based soldiers wore the uniform of the Army when they went ashore: Also, a white cover went over the blue top of the general dress cap. In the heat, a white jumper made of a cooler canvas/linen material was substituted often, the sleeves and collar were made of denim in varying shades of blue. Depending on the weather, they could take their jackets off and just wear the jumper. This was similar to general dress, except men were outfitted with a belt, cutlass, pistol and cartridge box with ammunition. They were wide-legged or bell-bottomed so they could be pulled up when cleaning or doing work on the deck.

Trousers were blue wool and adorned with buttons. These were similar in appearance to the War of 1812 jacket.Ī wool blue pullover shirt called a jumper was worn underneath and tucked into trousers. General dress:Ī short wool jacket had small gold-colored buttons many veteran petty officers' buttons had Navy insignia, per 1841 regulations.

The lanyard kept the items from dropping to the deck when sailors worked aloft (areas above the deck). Neckerchiefs made of silk were worn as head coverings or used to muffle the sound of guns.Ī rope lanyard was worn around the neck or waist to carry a boatswain's whistle or a jackknife (folding blade with clipped point to impede use in fights). The collar protected the uniform from dirt and grime. The collar, also known as a tar flap, was a holdover from an earlier era when men had long hair that was tied back with tar or grease.

Civil war navy button tin back