Royal Naval uniform: pattern 1774-87

An undress coat for a captain of over three years seniority. It is made of blue wool fabric with a felted finish and features button back lapels. The rank of the wearer is indicated by the groupings of the buttons on the lapels. In this case, the 12 buttons on each lapel are arranged in groups of three which indicates the rank of a captain with over three years seniority. The buttonholes are outlined with metal thread, and the buttons themselves are of horn or bone faced with brass that has been die-stamped with an anchor fouled with a chain instead of a cable. The coat also has a turn down collar that fastens to the top button of each lapel.

As with the dress coat of this period, the skirts are not as full as earlier in the century. In addition, these do no have faux buttonholes on either side of the back vent, although there is a decorative trifid motif embroidered in metal thread at the top of the vent.

Object Details

ID: UNI0012
Collection: Uniforms; Textiles
Type: Undress coat
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Vessels: Royal Naval uniform regulations 1774-87: Officers (undress)
Date made: 1774-1787; 1774-87
People: Galpin, Miss; Royal United Service Institution
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Royal United Service Institution Collection
Measurements: Overall: 1075 x 530 mm