SKU: 44326113358
us navy dress blues

us navy dress blues Original U.S. WWI US Navy Named Aviation Crewman’s’ Dress Blue Uniform Set

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Description

us navy dress blues Original U.S. WWI US Navy Named Aviation Crewman’s’ Dress Blue Uniform SetOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. The US Navy dress blues have been in service for over 150 years and are still worn today. On a couple of occasions the Navy tried to replace the uniform. First, in the mid 40s, an "Ike" style uniform featuring a short jacket was tried out and was soundly rejected after its trial period. Then, between 1973 and 1980 the uniform was, in fact, briefly replaced with a more contemporary suit and visor cap design only

Original Items: Only One Set Available. The US Navy dress blues have been in service for over 150 years and are still worn today. On a couple of occasions the Navy tried to replace the uniform. First, in the mid-40s, an "Ike" style uniform featuring a short jacket was tried out and was soundly rejected after its trial period. Then, between 1973 and 1980 the uniform was, in fact, briefly replaced with a more contemporary suit and visor cap design only to return to the tried-and-true dress blues. The uniform's main qualities of comfort, practicality, and a distinctive design have endeared it to the sailor. Iconic in appearance, the primary WW2 dress blue outfit consisted of a beret style cap with a ribbon and bow around the band; a "V" neck jumper with a square sailor's collar; a silk neckerchief; and bellbottom trousers with a 13-button broadfall front. Although its design features evolved from needs that had long since passed into history and were archaic even by WW2 standards, the uniform provided the sailor with an instantly recognizable uniform that boosted morale, evoked esprit de corps, and honored the Navy's proud history.

Photos dating back to at least the early 1860s show US sailors wearing a blue wool uniform not too different from the WW2 design. Through much of its early years the uniform was worn at sea, but by WW2 it had become mainly a dress uniform used for more formal occasions such as in formations, ceremonial activities, or for special guard duty. It was also worn on shore leave in appropriate climates. In fact, during WW2 it is most often seen being worn in northern shore and training stations by new recruits. The shift from a practical working uniform to one used for dress occasions was inevitable as military doctrine was evolving during the 1930s and 40s by setting specific roles for uniforms and establishing clear distinctions between work, garrison, and combat attire. And by the end of WW2 the age of multi-use uniforms had passed.

The dress blue jumper and trouser combination was considered a winter uniform to be worn in cool temperatures. It was constructed of high quality 16-ounce Melton wool that had a fine nap and was relatively soft to the touch. There were appropriate accessories to keep sailors warm on colder days. These included an overcoat made of matching heavy-weight Melton, blue wool knit gloves, and a blue wool muffler. The Dress Blue Uniform was included as part of the enlisted man's initial clothing gratuity. In northern training stations it was issued at induction and in warmer areas not until graduation was complete and final assignment received.

The dress blue uniform underwent continuous refinement over the decades of its use as was typically the case with uniforms that existed for any length of time. This process continued during WW2 with some significant changes being made to the jumper and trousers at the end of 1943. At this time it was decided to shorten the length of the jumper by six inches and simplify the waistband area of the trousers. These changes were implemented primarily to realize savings in a wartime economy by reducing the amount of fabric required to make the uniform and to speed up production by simplifying the manufacturing process.

Service Dress Blues for male junior enlisted sailors are based on the classic sailor suit in navy blue, colloquially referred to as "crackerjacks" because of the sailor-suited figure that adorns the packaging of Cracker Jack snacks. It consists of a navy blue wool pullover jumper with an elongated "tar-flap" collar adorned with three rows of white stripes and two white stars, one at each corner of the collar. The jumper's cuffs are similarly adorned with white stripes. A black silk or synthetic fiber neckerchief, rolled diagonally, is worn around the neck, under the collar, with the ends tied in a square knot in the center of the chest. The trousers for the uniform are flared as "bell bottoms". The trousers have traditionally featured a broad-fall opening, though changes to the trousers announced in 2012 have added a zippered fly, rendering the buttons merely decorative.

The jumper features a lovely 2nd Class Aviation Quartermaster shoulder sleeve insignia on the left shoulder. It is in lovely condition with minor moth mips present and no significant damage. The bottom inside waistline has the name R. L. CALDWELL present. Due to how common this name is, it is rather difficult to locate any solid service information, making for a wonderful research opportunity.

The blue cloth cap was remarkable for its longevity having served as an essential part of the enlisted sailor's uniform for over one hundred years. During its considerable time in service, the blue cap sailed on frigates, sloops, paddle wheels, submarines, battleships, and aircraft carriers. It was present for the transition from sails to steam to fuel oil, and even lived to see the advent of nuclear propulsion. But perhaps, most of all, the cap brings back memories of great armadas, the age of Dreadnoughts, and the historic conflicts they partook in.

Recorded in the Navy Uniform Regulations as early as 1833, the blue cap was originally part of an ensemble of clothing prescribed for enlisted seamen to be worn outdoors in both cold and warm weather. Early regulations simply described a "Blue Cloth Cap" until the Civil War period when the wording was slightly changed to "Blue Cloth Cap, without visor".

The circumference of the pre-1933 cap was much larger and required a wire stiffener on the inside to help keep its shape. Just like a lot of other sailors, the stiffener was removed to attribute a saltier appearance. The 1933 cap had a front riser that lifted the crown well above the ribbon. Additionally, the crown of the 1933 cap was attached to the sides using a cord seam, which is not present on this one. Prior to 1941, the vessel's name or any one of a number of different shore station designations could be displayed on the ribbon. In this case it's U.S. NAVAL AVIATION. The cap is in lovely condition and is even beautiful marked on the inside with block letters as:

R. L. CALDWELL
U.S.N.
AVIATION

Accompanying the uniform set is a lovely “sweetheart” wool pillow case. The pillow case dates to late WWI and is in lovely condition with faded colors but still displays wonderfully.
Early aviation items are amongst some of the most difficult items to come across, especially US Navy aviation items. This is a wonderful opportunity to add a researchable uniform to your collection.

Comes more than ready for display.

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 19.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 16.5”
Waist width: 16”
Hip width: 16”
Front length: 21"

PANTS:
WAIST:13"
INSEAM:28"

Upon the United States' entry into World War I, the U.S. Navy had one air station, located at Pensacola, Florida. Available for service were 48 aviators and students, along with 54 aircraft. Prior to the war, the only war experience Naval Aviation had was with photo reconnaissance at Veracruz, Mexico in 1914. In the subsequent rapid build-up, Naval Air Stations were concentrated on the eastern coast, including Anacostia, Washington, D.C.; Bay Shore, Long Island, New York; Cape May, New Jersey; Chatham, Massachusetts; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Key West, Miami, and Pensacola, Florida; and Rockaway Beach, New York.

Exceptions were at North Island, San Diego (used by the U.S. Army for training and schools); Akron, Ohio (for lighter-than-aircraft); and Camp Taliaferro, Fort Worth, Texas (an aerial gunnery school). During the war, naval aircraft flew more than three million nautical miles while also attacking and damaging a dozen German U-Boats. When hostilities ceased, U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Aviation were operational out of 27 bases in Europe, two in Canada, and one in the Canal Zone, one in the Azores, and 12 in the United States. At the time of the Armistice, naval aviation had 6,716 officers and 30,693 men serving. The Marine Corps had 282 officers with 2,180 men. Of these, 18,000 officers and men served abroad. Craft totals: 2,107 aircraft; 15 dirigibles and 215 kite balloons.

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SKU: 44326113358

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Rosalie
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Best dog ball
This is our go to dog toy for our German shepherd. its great for training in sports as well as outings at the beach, considering it floats! Never had him destroy one, so its extremely durable. I like that its a bright color so its easier to locate when i accidently let go of the rope too late and end up whipping it 20 ft into the woods. Easy to clean, all around just a great toy. Also love the large size as having a dog accidently lodge a ball into its throat is a real fear of mine, I do not have to worry about that with this toy. I should also mention the rope is a must, as touching a slobbery ball isn't the greatest feeling in the world and it puts your hands out of harms way. I will forever order these.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Mavis Adam
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 4
Great ball, bad rope
Size: Medium, Number of Items: 1, Size: Medium, Number of Items: 1
My dog and I love the starmark ball on a rope tug toys. While this is one of the best tug toys we have found, I am continually disappointed with the quality of the rope. The plastic sleeve comes off the first day, and after that the stitching begins to weaken until the rope ends come apart and the rope slides out of the ball. Is there a way to improve this design so that this toy lasts longer? My dog is not left alone with the toy, it is only used as an interactive tug toy as a training reward. I am updating my review now several months later. I reinforced the rope with a paracord braid and the toy now lasts a very long time. My dog and I play with this toy everyday on our morning hike. He is a large German Shepherd with high ball drive. He carries this ball in his mouth several miles on our morning hike. We play fetch in the fields near our home and in the lake beyond the fields with this toy every day. This toy is his reward in obedience training and we play a lot of tug with it every day. Reinforcing the handle has made a huge difference as the toy lasts and lasts now with the improved rope. Great ball, we will always have a collection of them at our house!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2020
A
Verified Purchase
AGJ
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for training and play!
Size: Medium, Number of Items: 1
My German shepherd love this toy! Great to take on walks with you as light weight and can fit in your pocket. Stands up to the toughest of play. Great as reward toy for training in place of treats! We always have one on hand at home or out and about!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Room112
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for big dogs
Size: Medium, Number of Items: 1
Our pup is now 15 months old (nearly 110 lb and still growing). We got this ball when he was 3 or 4 months old. GOODS - - Our pup fetches with extreme drive, and the rope helps him quickly snatch the ball off the ground (versus a tennis ball, in which we are worried he will go head over heels at times) - Our pup also loves to play fetch in the water, and this ball floats great and again, the rope gives another point to bite onto - The yellow color is easy to see, even in grass - Our pup typically fetches the ball, and leaves the rope mostly out of his mouth. So, throwing the ball doesn't result in saliva-covered hands - It's pretty easy to throw the ball 50', and possible to throw it 100' - It doesn't roll/bounce, so if you are for example playing fetch on your front lawn and are concerned with a tennis ball rolling into the street, this one alleviates that issue - Our pup is spoiled and has several balls. This is absolutely his go to ball. We have woken up in the morning before to see him standing next to the bed with the ball in his mouth, asking us to get up and play. BADS - - Occasionally when he goes to fetch it, he will step on the rope as he tries to pull up on the ball. - We have gotten this ball stuck in trees multiple times. In fact, there is one stuck on the roof of our church from playing fetch on the lawn there. :-/ Not a fault of the ball, but if you start whipping it around like nunchucks, it might not go where you want. - The near max you can through this ball is 100'. And since it doesn't roll/bounce, throw distance is throttled. We often play fetch in a local baseball field, and have no issue wearing him out with this ball. However, if you are planning on throwing a ball the distance of half a football field, you might want to consider something else. SIZE - - We purchased both the medium and the large. Even though our pup is huge and can fit a soccer ball in his mouth, he still prefers the medium. It's easier for him to get in his mouth and breath while running back. The medium is the size of an orange, whereas the large is the size of a grapefruit. DURABILITY - - We have gone through about 4 of these balls, BUT this is because we lost 3 of them. We believe he dropped one out of the car window while we were driving, one is on the roof of our church, and I forget about the other one. On the first one we had, the stitching behind the black tape was down to a few threads after about 5 months. Given duration we use these balls (every day) and the joy he gets from them, I feel the durability is good for the price. - We do play tug with the ball at times, and no issues there Enjoy!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2013
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Verified Purchase
Greg
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 3
Good but better options out there.
Good ball, but is a cheaper version of the Foamster sold online. The rope is cheap and comes apart, and can be abrasive to a dogs mouth. The Foamster uses a higher quality ball and are more durable and use grippy biothane straps rather than cheap rope. They are also made to order in the USA with lots of fun colors. Worth the extra money if your dog likes these balls.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2025

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