Help on dating an IJN sailor portrait

[Der Texaner]

Greetings everyone,
I have little doubt this is pre-WWII, but based on the hat insignia and tunic buttons, can someone give me an approximate date range. I'm guessing 1914ish? Any other info appreciated. Thanks.

Regards,
Joel

[gunto]

1930-1944

[Der Texaner]

Thank you gunto! Can you educate me a bit. The insignia on the visor isn't what I'm used to seeing nor the buttons on the tunic from the war years. Is this a dress unifrom or something? Reserves? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I've not ran across wartime insignia on a visor like that.

[Der Texaner]

Ok, eductating myself a bit....The hat's insignia is that of a Petty Officer. Why did Petty Officer's have different hat badges than other officer's? Thanks in advance..

Joel

[Papa Nambu]

Ok, eductating myself a bit....The hat's insignia is that of a Petty Officer. Why did Petty Officer's have different hat badges than other officer's? Thanks in advance..

Joel

A petty officer is a navy noncommissioned officer, they are the higher enlisted ranks. So it is not the same level as a comissioned officer rank.

[Der Texaner]

Thanks Papa. Did all NCOs have the same type of cap insignia as that Petty Officer? And why do some of the tunics have buttons and others have the "hooks"? Thank you.

Joel

[Papa Nambu]

Thanks Papa. Did all NCOs have the same type of cap insignia as that Petty Officer? And why do some of the tunics have buttons and others have the "hooks"? Thank you.

Joel

Yes.

Don't know about the tunics, many were tailor made, and designs changed over the years, so probably many variations.

[Der Texaner]

Many thanks as always. The caps seem to be more rare but brings less money than an Officer's.

[Jareth]

Nice navy group photo! There were two different NCO cap badges. One like in your photo & other late war that slightly resembles officer's

[Der Texaner]

Yes.

Don't know about the tunics, many were tailor made, and designs changed over the years, so probably many variations.

Papa, any idea on what the tallies say? I just closed a deal on a large grouping of original IJN photos, some like the one you posted. When I get them in (coming from Japan) I'm going to start a thread and post the real interesting ones.

Regards,
Joel

[Papa Nambu]

Cap tallies usually say 大日本帝國海軍 (except in the old right to left style) "Imperial Japanese Navy". Early tallies used to have ship or unit name but like most navies the Japanese discontinued that practice for security reasons.

[Der Texaner]

I couldnt' tell if it was the universal "Imperial Japanese Navy" or the older style perhaps naming a base or ship.

[Papa Nambu]

I couldnt' tell if it was the universal "Imperial Japanese Navy" or the older style perhaps naming a base or ship.

In the photo I posted I think they may say something else, but it's too small for me to read.