There is very little about U.S. Navy uniforms published in comparison to uniforms of the Army and Marine Corps. In some ways Navy uniforms are almost mystic - in that most people think they are older than what they really are.

Just check out eBay and you'll find an amazing amount of Navy uniforms that originated in the 1960s or after,  are sold as WWII or earlier items. Probably the most misrepresented item is the flat hat. These hats were issued through the middle 1960's. A lot people try to sell them as WWII or earlier. But you can learn to tell hold the items are.

Additionally the Navy used a few incorrect facts when teaching recruits uniform history as the 1980s. The most misrepresented item here is the bell bottom trousers of the enlisted uniform. Before 1905 the dress blue bell bottom trousers had eleven buttons on the flap. The uniform changed and 13 buttons were placed on the flap of the uniform - supposedly representing the original 13 colonies of the United States! Even as late the early 1990's Navy recruits were not taught about the eleven button bell button trousers but the thirteen buttons representing the thirteen colonies was removed from boot camp curriculum in 1990.

Uniform regulations for 1897, 1899, 1905, 1913, 1917, 1922, 1941,1947, 1951, 1959, 1969, 1975, 1985, 1987, 1991 and 1995 will be reproduced and posted on the web. Additionally the enlisted uniform will be the priority for reproduction and posting. The priority is based on the proposal for a museum at the former Naval Training Center San Diego where mostly enlisted training was conducted.

We'd like to thank GSCM(SW) Dan Goebel, USNR for transcribing the 1913, 1917, and 1947
uniform regulations.

The 1897 portion for enlisted Sailors
The 1905 portion for enlisted Sailors

Chief Petty Officer Hat Devices 1897 -2002.