Seeking ID on 80's Olive drab BDU pants

[milsurp_scout_14]

That title may be awkward, but so is this mystery. Found these pants at the thrift store. They are styled the same as woodland BDU's, and have the same buttons, mosquito ties, and type of tag. Oddly enough, the tag even states that they are "woodland camouflage pattern". They are made in ripstop fabric. Both a contractor and manufacturer are listed on the tag-never seen that before. Vitin Garment Mfg Corp was indeed a contractor with a contract for BDU pants; Quality Apparel Mfg Inc returned no results. Contract date is 1987, and appears to be for woodland BDU uniforms.

 

Does anyone have an idea whether these were issue? They were used by someone, as I discovered evidence of a (removed) name tape over the right rear pocket. However I've never seen pictures of GI's in any of these type of pants in OD---Only the 'wash n wear' straight style used in the 70's-80's. These do not appear to be new production by Propper/Tru-Spec for the civilian market.

[doyler]

Appear to be commercial made for surplus/civilian market

[Martinjmpr]

I know there were some OD green uniforms with the "RDF cut" that were made in the 1980's, could these be a set of trousers from those?

 

Before someone says it - no, I am not talking about the reissue of Vietnam-era jungle fatigues in the mid-1980's as a stop-gap measure until the hot weather BDU (HWBDU) could be issued.

 

I am talking about the OD green jungle jackets with the straight pockets (not slanted, like the VN era jungle fatigues.)

 

I remember seeing Rangers wearing the straight-pocket OD green jungle suits in the 1980's, obviously they were of recent manufacture, not VN era reissues. So I'm thinking that if they made jackets they must have made trousers, too.

 

I know on the "Jungle jackets worn outside of southeast asia" thread there are pictures of personnel wearing these straight-pocket uniforms. I don't think they were exactly like the RDF camo uniforms because IIRC the RDF camo uniforms all had pleats in the middle of the jacket pocket - I believe these OD green straight-pocket jackets in the 1980's did NOT have pleats in the middle of the pockets, though I may be wrong about that. I seem to recall that they were "bellowed" like BDU pockets.

[doyler]

Possible but...the lable says Woodland Camouflage. If these were a RDF contract what not say olive drab or spec to that color?

[Martinjmpr]

Possible but...the lable says Woodland Camouflage. If these were a RDF contract what not say olive drab or spec to that color?

 

Honestly I've never seen an RDF fatigue up close enough to read the label so I'm not sure.

 

During the 1980s when military-style clothing was popular there were lots of manufacturers selling surplus stuff, so it is certainly plausible that it could be commercial but I wouldn't say it is absolutely the case without knowing what a label on a set of RDF green fatigues looks like.

 

Does anyone here have a good example of a circa 1980's OD green RDF uniform as worn by the Rangers?

[Ewart]

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/226067-tropical-coats-worn-outside-southeast-asia/page-11?hl=%20jungle%20%20outside

 

Post 271 shows the OG BDU's in use.

[doyler]

Nice picture but the pockets are pretty obscured.

[doyler]

 

That title may be awkward, but so is this mystery. Found these pants at the thrift store. They are styled the same as woodland BDU's, and have the same buttons, mosquito ties, and type of tag. Oddly enough, the tag even states that they are "woodland camouflage pattern". They are made in ripstop fabric. Both a contractor and manufacturer are listed on the tag-never seen that before. Vitin Garment Mfg Corp was indeed a contractor with a contract for BDU pants; Quality Apparel Mfg Inc returned no results. Contract date is 1987, and appears to be for woodland BDU uniforms.

 

Does anyone have an idea whether these were issue? They were used by someone, as I discovered evidence of a (removed) name tape over the right rear pocket. However I've never seen pictures of GI's in any of these type of pants in OD---Only the 'wash n wear' straight style used in the 70's-80's. These do not appear to be new production by Propper/Tru-Spec for the civilian market. [/quote

 

 

I have a set of trousers in OD and they have the panel in the back that at reinforces the back side.Does yours have this as well?]

[milsurp_scout_14]

Here's a few better pics (sorry for the delay, had to dig the pants back out of a pile). Doyler, I believe you're referring to the seat reinforcement panel? It does appear to have one. Also, some pictures of the bellowed side pockets. Also the ghost stitching left by the name tape. And finally, the side adjustment tabs both have a W in a circle marking--although I'm unsure if that has any bearing on anything.

[milsurp_scout_14]

Adjustment tab

[Martinjmpr]

Name tape above the right rear pants pocket is something I have seen on Navy uniforms. Probably done so they can match shirt/pants when they are washed in a ship's laundry?

[Manchu Warrior]

I have a top somewhere, which is OD green with slant pockets that was dated in the mid 80's. I started a thread on the top some years ago but I cannot seem to find it. With that said and someone else already mentioned it. When I was trying to figure out the top I found information that US Army Ranger's wore them in the 1980's. The photo I posted is of a Ranger class at Fort Benning back in 1986. As you can see most of them have on OD Green uniforms and a few are wearing BDU's. Hope this helps.

[doyler]

Yes OD were worn on a limited basis(70s-80s-90s) but by and large the Rangers and SF at the time were wearing the slant pocket Od uniforms that were in stock.Have even seen SEALS wearing VN vintage OD Jungles.I have a slant pocket OD jacket worn by the 508th in Italy.Also a couple that are Grenada era showing patches(removed) from the 18th Abn and 82nd Abn.

 

Possible these pants posted were worn in the military but private purchase in my thinking.Im wondering if the number on the pants can be run to see if its even a legit contract number as it doesnt appear to be.Again why does the lable say Woodland Camoflage?

 

Not unusual to see a name tape over the rear right pocket.This was a typical Navy/USMC thing.I have a set of DCUS from a SF vet who did the same.Also you will see law enforcement do this that wear "tactical" uniforms.

[milsurp_scout_14]

I'd looked up the contract number prior to buying the pants, and the only details I found were that it was let 1/14/87, funded for $24.1 million, and was for 'clothing, special purpose'. NSN appears to be for woodland camo variant.

[32sbct]

I know there were some OD green uniforms with the "RDF cut" that were made in the 1980's, could these be a set of trousers from those?

 

Before someone says it - no, I am not talking about the reissue of Vietnam-era jungle fatigues in the mid-1980's as a stop-gap measure until the hot weather BDU (HWBDU) could be issued.

 

I am talking about the OD green jungle jackets with the straight pockets (not slanted, like the VN era jungle fatigues.)

 

I remember seeing Rangers wearing the straight-pocket OD green jungle suits in the 1980's, obviously they were of recent manufacture, not VN era reissues. So I'm thinking that if they made jackets they must have made trousers, too.

 

I know on the "Jungle jackets worn outside of southeast asia" thread there are pictures of personnel wearing these straight-pocket uniforms. I don't think they were exactly like the RDF camo uniforms because IIRC the RDF camo uniforms all had pleats in the middle of the jacket pocket - I believe these OD green straight-pocket jackets in the 1980's did NOT have pleats in the middle of the pockets, though I may be wrong about that. I seem to recall that they were "bellowed" like BDU pockets.

 

 

 

 

I have an unworn, unissued, unwashed RDF style OG 107 jacket. The tag in part reads "COAT, HOT WEATHER, POPLIN OG 107 TYPE I DLA100-78-C-0658" It has the same pleated pockets as the RDF uniform. I also have a very worn example with full 2nd Ranger Battalion insignia, Ranger tab, jump wings, EIB, etc. on it.

 

I also have a rip stop OG 107 straight pocket top that is identical to a 1st issue BDU top. The tag reads:

COAT, WOODLAND

CMOUFLAGE PATTERN

DLA-84-A-2007

100 % COTTON

RN # 53788

S.E.I.C.O. LTD

 

The construction, stitching, etc. are identical to an issue item. I have no way of knowing if these were issue items or not. IIRC the U.S. Cavalry store and other outlets were selling items like these back then. Whether they were issue or not, I have no doubt that some of these would have found there way to Soldiers in places like Panama, the Ranger Battalions etc.

[Vanderbilt]

On 7/5/2017 at 8:53 PM, 32sbct said:

 

 

On 7/5/2017 at 8:53 PM, 32sbct said:

"The construction, stitching, etc. are identical to an issue item. I have no way of knowing if these were issue items or not. IIRC the U.S. Cavalry store and other outlets were selling items like these back then. Whether they were issue or not, I have no doubt that some of these would have found there way to Soldiers in places like Panama, the Ranger Battalions etc."

 

.....yes, know this is an old thread. Served in the early 80's myself. Some of us in Cav and Inf units would have private purchase jungle fatigues and patrol caps we would use on field exercises, foot patrols or border duty. The issue of BDU's helped with having a more practical field uniformed than the "picklesuit".