Unknown White Tunic

[Sivart]

I recently picked this up in a group of uniforms named to a WWII sailor. It has US Army ringback buttons marked -Gaunt N.Y made in England- on the passant. It has hook and fastener type closures at the throat, bottom front, and sides of this tunic. The remainder is fastened with a concealed button line down the front. Also around the high collar and down the front of the shirt there is a kind of white striping or pintuck. It was hanging with a pair of dark blue trousers with a zipper marked Conmar. It also was with a leather belt with a brass or gold colored buckle. Each item is individually named to my sailor or someone with the same last name as his. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Travis

[Sivart]

passants with buttons and high collar

[Sivart]

reverse of button

[Sivart]

closures at collar are the same as at the bottom front of tunic, the closures on the sides are single hook with thread loops

[Sivart]

trousers

Edited November 22, 2009 by Sivart

[Sivart]

belt

[speagle]

Possibly a Steward's uniform?

[Sivart]

Possibly a Steward's uniform?

It does have that look to it, it looks to me like something a waiter or porter would wear. The confusing thing is that it is named to a sailor that I know was at least a Pharmacists mate 1st class before becoming an officer, I think a LT (jg). Where does a jacket like this with ARMY buttons enter into that? So far, I haven't been able to turn up any military service of family members, but my research is still preliminary. There were a few other items in this group that dont quite fit, a WWI Army pouch and a framed photo of what appears to be an old fixed landing gear biplane. That photo is in a NAVY frame. I am hoping that by understanding this uniform, the rest might make a bit more sense.

Thanks,

Travis

[army historian]

It does have that look to it, it looks to me like something a waiter or porter would wear. The confusing thing is that it is named to a sailor that I know was at least a Pharmacists mate 1st class before becoming an officer, I think a LT (jg). Where does a jacket like this with ARMY buttons enter into that? So far, I haven't been able to turn up any military service of family members, but my research is still preliminary. There were a few other items in this group that dont quite fit, a WWI Army pouch and a framed photo of what appears to be an old fixed landing gear biplane. That photo is in a NAVY frame. I am hoping that by understanding this uniform, the rest might make a bit more sense.

Thanks,

Travis

Travis, that is a U.S. Army Model 1895 Officer's undress Summer White Uniform coat. It is correct with the shoulder straps. The buttons look correct. It seems in very nice shape. This photo shows a reenactor's copy. Not Correct no shoulder straps. The Navy also had a white summer service uniform that looks like this, but has no shoulder straps or buttons. Also the pants do not go with the white coat. They would wear white trousers with this coat. Also check the buttons (they are Army General service), worn upto 1902. Hope this helps. Coat worth more than $150.00.

Edited December 7, 2009 by army historian

[Sivart]

Thanks for the reply. Based on your response I was quickly able to find this uniform in wear, pictured below. I have been searching the Officers registers from 1880 - 1920 but I can't come up with a likely canidate for this uniform. The collar is marked CHASE, as well as the initials PC. I am assuming this is for P. Chase which is also assumed to be a relative of the named owner of the rest of the grouping, Harry Sylvester Chase. I am still going through the family tree hoping to find an uncle or cousin who this belonged to. I didn't notice any holes on the collar or lapels to indicate that devices were once present, but I am going to definately take a better look. The book I referenced for this image said that after 1900, the uniform had shoulder straps similar to the khaki blouse.

Thanks again to Captain George Albert for the ID.

Travis