US Navy China by Officer Rank Insignia Topmark
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Above photos illustrate WWI and WWII US Navy Regulation China and Silverware and Dinnerware Made Specifically for the Captains Cabin Mess!
Photo illustrating the Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and Olive Branch above the monogram USN is found on all holloware and serving pieces made for the Navy Captains Mess and Cabin. Photo its right bearing the Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows/Olive Branch is found on the silverplated flatware used in the Captains Mess.
The dinnerware and tableware found on this page consists of fine china topmarked with a Capains Commissioning Pennant (or Burgee) with matching silverplated flatware and holloware topmarked with a Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows, all produced under contract by various silversmiths for the US Navy for the Captains Mess and Captains Cabin from the early 1900s to the 1940s and the end of WWII.
This designated regulation Captains Mess dinnerware was identified by a commissioning pennant or burgee flat as the topmark on all of the china pieces while the silverplated flatware consists of a Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and an Olive Branch while the holloware and serving pieces has the Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and Olive branch above the monogrammed initials "USN".
These unique pieces used during the era of The Great White Fleet, WWI and WWII and found here at The Pirates Lair would make perfect Navy Retirement Gifts or Navy Promotion Gifts for even the MOST discerning US Navy Captain!
| US Navy China by Officer Rank Insignia Topmark |
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For Evaluation Purposes We classify Holloware into 3 Categories:
Category 1 - Museum Quality/Investment Grade, Excellent Usable Condition, Minimal to No Scratches or Dents.
Category 2 - Perfectly Usable Condition, Very Good to Excellent Condition, Some Minor Scratches/Dents or Discolorations.
Category 3 - Display Only. Not to Be Used To Serve Liquid, Runny or Soft Foods due to Pits/Pitting, Corrosion. Exterior may be in perfect condition but the interior is not.
| Folks, It Doesn't Get Much Rarer and Valued Than This! FANTASTIC Promotion or Retirement Gift for THE CAPTAIN! |
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Vintage WWII US Navy-issued Plates, Bowls, Cups and Saucers for use in the Captains Mess Size |
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| Dinner Plate: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Lunch or Fish Plate: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Salad plate: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Soup Bowl: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Cereal Bowl: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Celery Dish: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Watch Standing Mug: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Footed Egg Cup: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Coffee Cup: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Coffee Cup Set: Coffee Cup and Saucer w Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars and Kings Design Teaspoon w/ War Eagle and USN |
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| Bouillon Cup: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Coffee or Tea Saucer: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Demitasse Cup: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Demitasse Saucer: Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Demitasse Coffee Cup, Saucer and Spoon w/ War Eagle insignia Combination! |
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| Large Serving Bowl (Shenango): Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| Serving Bowl (Tepco) Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars |
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| RARE Sugar Bowl, China Porcelain w/ Commissioning Pennant w/ 4 Stars. This was a limited production piece. |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Great White Fleet, WWI and WWII Carving Knife with Captains Eagle Clutching Arrows, 13" overall length, falchion clipped tip blade is 7" with |
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| Great White Fleet thru WWII. Carving Fork with Captains Eagle Clutching Arrows, 10" overall length, super sharp tines, flip out stopper or stay to help steady the meat being carved. Beautiful gun metal gray tines indicating the high nickel content used back in the day to produced hard stainless steel. |
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| Great Whtie Fleet, WWI and WWII Carving Fork AND Carving Knife both with Eagle Clutching Arrow insignia and monogram USN on the top handles. Both fork and knife each have that sought after gun metal gray patina from the high nickel content used back in the day to produce stainless steel. |
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| Carving Fork, Carving Knife, Knife Sharpener and Skewer |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows |
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| Engraved US War Eagle Clutching Arrows. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality Condition! |
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| Serving Dish 12" with Handles, War Eagle and USN topmark, rope along top rim. Excellent Condition. Gorham, Silver Soldered, p/n 010091 - Category 1 |
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| For the most discerning collector of Naval Dinnerware! Complete with Dish or Pan with Wood Serving Handle, Lid with Rope Edging and Captains Topmark, Burner and Stand. Complete and fully functional! Made for the Captains Mess in absolute perfect condition. Produced by the Renowned Manning, Bowman & Co Pat'd Febn 15, 1898 - June 19, 1901. - Category 1 |
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Category 1 |
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| US War Eagle Clutching Arrows with USN Monogram below. Extremely Rare, Museum Quality/Investor Grade Condition! Perfect as a Desktop Matchbox or Letter Holder! International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135 dated 1941 |
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Category 1 |
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| Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece. Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135, 1941 Date Code |
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Category 1 |
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| Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece. Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01135, 1941 Date Code |
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| Museum Quality/Investment Grade Condition and Perfect for Todays Use. "Gorham, Silver Soldered, EP, Shield with Anchor, p/n 015718, 1 Pint, 191" |
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| In Museum Quality/Investment Grade Condition and Perfect for Todays Use and for the MOST Discerning Navy Captain! "Reed & Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 0121-B, 40" Category 1 |
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| Quadrooms festooned, rope throughout, rope around top edge, stewards serving handle, with Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Beautiful exterior shine with few small dents, interior has pitting and as such this piece is for display only. The Captains personal mess steward would serve coffee tableside using the long wooden handle. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01260 |
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Handle 5.5" Category 3 |
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| Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Fouled Anchor and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Glass insert and Mustard Spoon not included. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01325, 1941 |
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Category 1 |
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| Museum Quality Piece with Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows Topmark Insignia on Base. International Silver Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01495, 1917 Hallmark Date. |
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Category 1 |
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| Museum Quality Piece with Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows Topmark Insignia. Reed and Barton, Silver Soldered, p/n 2900, "V" (1942) hallmark. |
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| Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with War Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Has very minor discolored spot and pits on bottom of basket, but does not detract and perfectly usuable. Matching Piece to the Hard Candy Dishes and Cruet. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Soldered, p/n 01250 |
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| Museum Quality/Investment Grade Piece with Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Stunningly Beautiful! A Must See and Part of Any Serious Collection. |
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| Two Handled 8" Wide x 3" high with the rarely found ring which fits over a glass bowl that sits in the server. Clear and crisp insignia of the War Eagle above monogram Initials "USN" on the side of the server with rope along the top edge and quadroons all along the side. Beautiful period piece with some very slight utensil marks, otherwise excellent condition as can be seen. Backstamped: Gorham over the shielded anchor, EP, Silver Soldered, p/n 015719. Category 1 |
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| Federal Eagle Clutching Arrows and USN Monogrammed Insignia. Some Pitting on the Bottom from the Salt and Vinegar but Does Not Detract From Use. Wilcox Silver Plate Co, Silver Solderec, p/n 01205 |
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| RARE One-of-a-Kind! US Navy Captain Decanter with Eagle Insignia and Ceramic Interior for Ice Water! HUGE 12" weighing 5lbs! RAREST of the RARE! Late 19th Century Style US Navy Dinnerware Antique 1880's to early 1900's Pre-WWI US Navy Silverplated Ice Water Decanter (Navy Decanter) or Water Pitcher with Ceramic Lining Insulation. Made for CAPTAINS MESS with Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows, Two Condensation Weep Holes on Bottom. Pre-Spanish American War and Great White Fleet era. Backstamped Wilcox and Patent Dated 1878 |
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| 18" Tall weighing over 8lbs. Museum Quality/Investment Grade, Fantastic and RARE Piece in 19th Century Victorian Age Style, Ceramic Lining for Insulation, Weep Holes on Bottom for Condensation, Eagle clutching Wheat and Arrows topmark insignia. Backstamped Wilcox SPCo, International S. Co, N 00, IS, 18 |
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| Demitasse Coffee Cup, Saucer and Spoon w/ War Eagle insignia Combination! |
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U.S. Navy-issued China was used for both everyday dining as well as the more formal military "dining-in" ceremonies, and is a handsome vintage and antique nautical dinnerware, incredibly unique as part of our American Military heritage. Best of all it can be used everyday and is the perfect promotion or retirement gift for any active or retired Chief Petty Officer, Warrant Officer, Junior Grade Officer, Captain or Admiral!
It is available for sale now ... and it can be yours by contacting The Pirate's Lair!
Of Special Note: This 60+ year old vintage Navy china tableware was hand crafted, hand glazed, hand dipped, hand stenciled, and they just don't make it like they used to! The perfect nautical gift idea for women.
While rare, some pottery workers even etched personal affectations and notes onto the chinaware! Inscribed on the bottom of some plates and dishes we have found a V for Victory, VE for Victory Europe, VJ for Victory Japan!
Along with the geographic location of where the clay was mined, consistency of the clay slip, the type of kiln and pottery firing techniques used at the time, all result in slight character defects and flaws make this type of chinaware even more valuable and sought after than what can be found in the mass-produced markets of today.
Naval chinaware is a handsome masculine yet very elegant industrial-grade antique china dinnerware durable enough to be used as everyday dinnerware yet elegant enough for formal military Navy dining-in occasions! It has a beautiful snow white finish, almost a transluscent glaze, highlighted with rich dark blue stripes and Naval insignia (or "top marks"), such as the traditional Navy fouled anchor, Captain's pennant,
Admiral's flag with stars, and the nautical theme square-knot.
Brief History of U.S. Navy China Tableware
From the late 1800's through mid 1900's the United States Navy commissioned various makers of fine china such as Homer Laughlin, Tepco, Buffalo, Sterling, Mayer, Jackson, Walker, Syracuse, and Shenango to produce complete "soup to nuts" tableware for the U.S. Navy's Officer Corps. This "Navy China" was used extensively during WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam in officer wardrooms, galleys and mess halls aboard all sizes and class of ship, submarine, and shore facility.
The U.S. Navy has traditionally taken good care of its Officer Corps! For sailing the high seas at any time can be a hard and treacherous undertaking as the ocean can be cruel and unforgiving, leaving little margin for error. However going to war aboard a ship, whether large or small, can be a particularly hazardous venture. In recognition of their service, the US Navy provided a certain level of comfort for its sailors, while also preserving traditional military decorum and separation of rank.
This fine Navy China was also used as the official and formal dinnerware of Captains, Admirals, Department and Secretary of the Navy civilian leadership. Most of the Naval China currently available was produced during WW1 and WW2 for use aboard our aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and large support vessels. When these various Navy warships were sent into
decommission at the end of WW1 and WW2 many of the officers took home with them the very plates, bowls, cups and dishes which they themselves used while aboard their warship. This Naval China "memorabilia" or Navy Surplus ultimately found its way into attics and cellars safely stored away in boxes and chests until they were re-found, typically in an estate sale. Imagine having a piece of this valuable American history which in all likelihood saw combat action somewhere on the seven seas,
and now to be used and celebrated in your home!
Historically, most of the major providers of fine china produced exclusive lines of dinnerware for transcontinental railroads, airlines, passenger ships, major corporations, famous restaurants and hotels, as well as for the United States Navy. This type of fine yet durable china was known in the trade as "restaurantware". Restaurantware in and of itself can be highly collectible as antique china, especially if the producer no longer exists!
However Naval China used in the galleys aboard ships by our sailors during times of war is part of our national heritage which makes this type of restaurantware most highly prized. Additionally, restaurantware in general, and certainly Naval China in particular, was made to last for many years, able withstand heavy and harsh industrial use which would normally destroy the glaze and dull the luster of lesser quality and much lighter china that was typically sold to the general public.
Naval China was made to be used by sailors and cooks working in rough and rolling seas in all types of weather. This Naval dinnerware needed to be heavy and durable to withstand the harsh cleansers and environment they were to be used in. This makes them perfect for long and continued home, recreational or industrial use!
A fun anecdotal note regarding the US Navy Tableclothis that when underway aboard a U.S. Navy warship one would find when sitting down to dine that the tablecloth would be slightly damp with sea water! This was a sailor's tradition handed down over the ages from seafarer to seafarer. However as in most traditions at sea it had a practical side as its basis! The "damping of the tablecloth" was to help ensure that the plates,
dishes, bowls and cups along with the silverware was kept from "sliding" around the table as the ship pitched and rolled with the waves. The sea salt also helped prevent spilled food and drink from staining the tablecloth! Between the heavy weight of the tableware and the damp tablecloth the seamen could only then be able to eat while underway in moderate to even in heavy seas! This "dampening of the tablecloth" was even practiced at US Navy Shore Installations so as to uphold and continue
this unique Naval tradition.
Additionally, the U.S. Navy commissioned various makers of fine linens to produce these exquisite and beautifully designed heavy damask tablecloths and napkins that were made to be heavily used while at sea. The Pirate's Lair now has available these wonderful vintage white damask U.S. Navy tablecloths and antique napkins. They are beautifully embroidered and patterned in a nautical theme with white-on-white designs of eagles, fouled anchors, stars and coiled rope!
Click HERE to review these wonderful antique tablecloth and napkin complements to your Naval China and Silverware.
Besides the Naval China, during this same period the Department of the Navy also contracted with leading makers of fine silverware and holloware to produce complete and complimentary placesettings of beautifully designed and engraved silverplated forks, knives, spoons, serving bowls and trays, coffee and tea pots, water pitchers and carving utensils. At The Pirate's Lair we have an extensive line Navy Silverware from the late 1800's to mid 1900's for your review
and consideration by clicking here for U.S. Navy Silverware and Naval Flatware, which is the perfect complement to your Naval China!
What the various designs found on the Naval china really signify! Staying within the U.S. Navy's strict officer caste system the Department of the Navy had complete sets of fine china made specifically for the mess hall and officer wardrooms of each officer grade level: a fouled anchor with letters USN for Chief Petty Officers a square knot for Junior Officers,
letters USN for Warrant Officers, a streaming pennant with 4 stars for Captains, square flag with 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars for Admirals, and the Navy Seal for the Department of the Navy's civilian and military leadership. Each officer grade was then given this special restaurantware "top mark" or design insignia which was imprinted and made part of the glaze on each piece of china dinnerware.
As an interesting side note, the specific insignia (or top mark), used on the Navy China for each Officer Rank was also used on all of the Naval Silverware and Silverplate eating and serving utensils. Imagine having a complete set of fine nautical themed china dinnerware and silverware matching place settings! Or having each place setting at your table as a different Officer Rank which is available at The Pirate's Lair!
Unfortunately, the U.S. Navy discontinued the time honored tradition of issuing this beautiful antique china in the mid-1960's after the manufacturer's supplies ran out, and it was never replaced, which further makes this fine china a great investment! Currently only small quantities of this fine china can be found. The Pirate's Lair scours the world to obtain the best pieces to be found and makes them available to you.
Ironically, today individual ship commanders and officers of the U.S. Navy now purchase this antique Navy china from The Pirate's Lair for use aboard present-day warships! Sailors today can now use and enjoy the same dinnerware and silverware used by their Naval bretheren of long ago!
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