Spike Posted June 19, 2015 Share #1 Posted June 19, 2015 I got this ERDL shirt that belonged to an LDNN advisor, I just found his name along the inside bottom hem today though I have had it since last summer. It's pretty beat up, the collar is worn thru and the bottom left pocket is 90% missing. It has a lot of dirt/grease and some white paint looking spots but I think that will if I soak it. I was thinking of soaking the shirt in water and spraying the dirt/grease with Simple Green, it is great stuff for grease and dirt. I was also thinking of replacing the missing pocket as I have a bunch of extra pockets laying around and I can find one to match as close as possible. Now I know most will say leave it as it is but I have a feeling none of the dirt/grease and missing pocket isn't something done while in country but I could be wrong. I can contact the guy who owned the shirt but I have a feeling he would not remember. So what do y'all think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted June 19, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted June 19, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitzkrieg gsd Posted June 19, 2015 Share #4 Posted June 19, 2015 Do what ever will make you like the piece the best. Because that's what it all about being happy with what you have. Now of course there are exceptions to this thought. As long as this piece didn't come from a vet who is a VIP I think you should do what makes you feel the best about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted June 19, 2015 After a somewhat lengthy search of my photo archives I found pictures of the guy wearing this very shirt in Vietnam. He was the senior US SEAL in charge of SEAL Advisory Det and is pictured getting a medal from the the Vietnamese C.O. of all the LDNN in 72, Trinh Hoa Hiep. All pockets were on the shirt in the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkshake Posted June 19, 2015 Share #6 Posted June 19, 2015 Imo just leave it as is, it looks better beat up as it shows the history of where it's been. Anyways, it's not mine so, do whatever you'd like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted June 19, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted June 19, 2015 I understand what you are saying but I'm pretty sure that all the damage done, however it was done, was post war. That is the crux of the situation. That kinda damage isn't something that looks battle done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted June 19, 2015 Share #8 Posted June 19, 2015 Spike, my opinion would be to do a gentle cleaning to the dirt and grease. Neither are good for the long term preservation of the jacket. The pocket, I could go either way. It's not a major repair, it was originally on the jacket and you have a photo of the vet wearing the jacket with all four pockets present. Good luck and look forward to seeing the results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted June 19, 2015 Share #9 Posted June 19, 2015 You can certainly clean it because, as Beast pointed out, you are doing more harm by not cleaning it. Regarding the pocket, why not just tack sew a replacement over top of the existing pocket, but not remove the original pocket? You wouldn't be altering the coat then, just hiding the damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted June 20, 2015 Share #10 Posted June 20, 2015 Here is my question on the pocket. Does the level of sun fading look the same as the rest of the jacket? If so, it's possible it was removed in country. If the area that would have been under the pocket is darker (less faded) it was probably the result of a later accident. Now to contradict myself... if someone had a reason to remove a pocket (say, if it interfered with field gear some how), why wouldn't they do a neater job and remove the flap as well? By the way, when I started collecting early on I was offered an ARVN ranger jacket and trousers. The trousers were in decent condition. The jacket however had been ruined when the owner wore it while draining acid out of a car battery. It was enough to make you cry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted June 20, 2015 Gil, the material under where the pocket does kinda have the same fade but since the guy was a Lt. I have a feeling the shirt was used to work on a car and not by the original owner. I just soaked the shirt in Simple Green and some soap so I will see what the result of that is. The white spots were are some kinda silicone that does peal off but it's a hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ustpatcher1a Posted July 2, 2015 Share #12 Posted July 2, 2015 Good thread topic and informative. Never seen this before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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