Original Item: Only One Available. Marine Detachment or MarDet was a unit of 35 to 85 United States Marines aboard large warships including cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers. They were a regular component of a ship's company from the formation of the United States Marine Corps until the 1990s. Missions of the Marine Detachment evolved, and included protecting the ship's captain, security and defense of the ship, operating the brig, limited action ashore, securing nuclear weapons and ceremonial details.

Marines served aboard sailing ships as a small amphibious force able to capture and hold minor port facilities as required for protection of American interests. Marine sharpshooters were often stationed in the rigging during ship-to-ship combat to fire at officers and helmsmen aboard enemy warships. Marines often operated naval artillery during general quarters when the distances of gunnery engagements exceeded the range of small arms.

The most recognizable uniform of the Marine Corps is the Blue Dress uniform, often seen in recruiting advertisements. It is often called Dress Blues or simply Blues. It is equivalent in formality and use to civilian black tie.

This uniform is in wonderful condition for the age. There are scattered moth nips present as well as minor moth nips, but the uniform presents itself nicely and without extensive damage. The only devices present are the sleeve ratings “specialty marks” that are located on the lower right sleeve, in this case it is a Gun Pointer 1st Class rating.

Navy specialty marks and distinguishing marks produced in materials appropriate for Marine Corps uniforms have become a topic of growing interest and considerable speculation. Specialty marks are the central element of Navy petty officers' rating badges and indicate the wearer's job specialty or rating. When worn by a sailor below the rate (grade) of petty officer, 3rd class, these marks are referred to as striker's marks and indicate that the sailor has qualified in the rating and has been designated as "striking for" the rating, i.e. promotion to petty officer, 3rd class in that specialty. Distinguishing marks are worn, in addition to the rating badge for petty officers, to indicate "qualifications additional to those required for their rating, or who are members of a crew that has attained special merit in certain prescribed competitions."

Navy marks are normally found in white on navy blue wool, blue on white cotton, khaki, slate gray or naval aviation green materials. Khaki, slate gray and aviation (forestry) green uniforms were worn by officers and chief petty officers. Marks in dark blue or black on aviation green, which are actually officers' and warrant officers' sleeve marks and/or distinguishing marks of chief petty officers, are sometimes included in collections though they are a completely different category of insignia. Striker's marks would not be worn on these uniforms, though chief petty officers would wear the distinguishing marks.

Between 1915 and 1929, the Marine Corps authorized the wearing of eight Navy distinguishing marks or specialty marks by qualified Marines. Two other Navy distinguishing marks authorized by the Marine Corps appear in Change No. 14 to the revision, dated 20 February 1918. These were Gun Pointer and Gun Pointer, first class. These replaced distinctive Gun Pointer marks of 1908.

This is a lovely Dress Blues coat and it comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5”
Chest width: 18.5"
Waist width: 16.5"
Hip width: 17.5”
Front length: 28.5"