The N1 deck jacket, a classic, and for most people (given their timeless cool, reasonable availability & pricing) a first piece of proper vintage to add to the wardrobe - I know my first N1 was amongst the first pieces I had.
In early 1943 the Navy introduced a new line of redesigned clothing to help it meet its requirements across multiple theatres and areas of operations. Designated with a N (N-1, N-2 and N-3) standing for Navy, this range of clothing would improve upon previous designs, and prepare the navy for the amphibious warfare required in pacific and to land in occupied Europe. The N-1 deck jacket was a vast improvement on the previous blue jackets, retaining the thick jungle cloth, but changing to a khaki colour more suitable as camouflage. It returned to a zip closure, improved the fit, changed to a thick alpaca lining and included a draw string around the waist. For anyone who has owned both will tell you, these are much better jackets to wear in the cold.
This particular example was made on March 1945 contract, but unfortunately I'm unsure of maker. It's stencilled to Mobile Construction Battalion 6, which dates the stencil to 1951 at the earliest as they had previously been Naval Construction Battalion 6. Likely this saw service in largely warmer areas, which may attest for it's wonderful condition. Here's a little history:
1951-1953
The first assignment given Mobile Construction Battalion SIX was the construction of various projects at the Naval Station, Bermuda. Upon arrival in Bermuda, SIX relieved MCB 4. SIX completed the construction duty in two months and headed for Guantanamo. Bay, Cuba. The battalion arrived on July 6, 1951. While in Cuba, MCB SIX built a complete Seabee camp at Leeward Point. SIX returned to the Davisville Seabee' Center in December of 1951.
In March of 1952, MCB SIX departed for construction duties at Argentia, Newfoundland, and remained there, until August of that year when they returned to Davisville.
In October of 1952, the battalion returned to Cuba and built both officer and enlisted berthing facilities.
After a brief homeport training period upon returning to the States in April, SIX deployed to French Morocco. The battalion arrived on June 2, just a few days before Cmdr. P. J. Simmons relieved Cmdr. Pinkerton as Commanding Officer.
1953-1956
From 1953 until 1956, MCB 6 'built a variety of projects in Puerto Rico, Cuba, San Salvador, Grand Turk Island, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, Nantucket, Cape Hatteras and Antigua. In November, 1953, after finishing several of these projects throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean areas, SIX returned home.
On Feb. 8, 1954, the battalion commissioned its first detachment, designated "DOG". This unit went to San Juan, P.R., in April of 1954 and the main body of the battalion returned to Cuba for the third time in three years. The battalion commissioned its second detachment, dubbed "EASY," while in Cuba. This party went to San Salvador.
Less than three weeks later on June 5, 1954, MCB 6 commissioned another detachment for duty on Grand Turk Island. This was detachment "FOX." After arriving back in Davisville in July, 1954, SIX commissioned its fourth detachment and received a new commanding officer. After commissioning detachments "GEORGE" and "HOW" in Davisville for duty in Bermuda and Nova Scotia respectively, Cmdr. C. Jaquess relieved Cmdr. Simmons in October. Only three of the original seven detachments were in commission by September. Detachments "ITEM" and "JIG" were working in Nantucket, Mass., and Cape Hatteras, N.C., respectively.
MCB 6's next deployment was to Antigua, where the battalion remained'' from. October, 1955, until July, 1956. MCB 6 returned to Cuba in 1956, arriving there on Oct. 3. On Oct. 27, 1956, Cmdr. V. M. Tregonis relieved Cmdr. Jaquess.
Condition
Absolutely mint condition, zipper works perfectly, the jungle cloth is still very thick and crispy, and the colour strong throughout. The only flaws are a touch of fading around the cuffs, some very slight wear to the seams under the sleeves, and a little wear to the lining near the hem. Otherwise, looks like it was made yesterday!
Size
- Tagged a 38
- Fits a modern medium/large, it fits my 40" chest nicely
- Pit to pit 22"
- Shoulder to shoulder 18"
- Shoulder to cuff 24"
- Collar to hem 27"