Army Close Combat Uniform CCU or not ? What is this uniform.

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Pictured is what I think is a CCU. I found on page 33 of Born & Barnes Book Desert Uniforms Patches & Insignia an example of the eperimental CCU jacket that looks close to what I have. Unfortunately my top does not have labels. In the book they talk about two versions of the top. Their photograph looks to have Velcro fasteners in the front were mine has buttons. They don't mention if the CCU was ever adopted by the Army. Is my top what later became the standard issue ?

[RedLegGI]

This is not a CU/CCU. The pockets on them are oriented North/South without a cant to them. The velcro is the wrong color as well. You look to have a modified top, and nicely done. It could also be a more rare manufacturer like K-L manufacturing, but I'll defer on that one to the more knowledgeable folks here.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Made in ACU cut, exact same as ACU but with buttons instead of a zipper. The rank placement in the middle of the chest and the IR tabs having the movable web tape is a tell tale sign of being made after the ACU. So some time after 2005.

 

 

The IR squares on yours aren't on the Velcro, so they are either on the tape or not on it. I think the ones on the tape were introduced later, around 2009 or so? But I am not certain, they may be a manufacturing varriation or introduced at a different date. That could be used to date it narrower.

 

 

If they don't have any IR squares or evidence of once having them I think that increases the likelyness that it was commercially made in china or something. They don't ever have IR squares as far as I know.

 

 

I don't think it is an experimental piece from between the CCU and the UCP ACU because the buttons and Velcro don't seem to be USGI colors but I could be wrong.

 

 

Certainly interesting.

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Thank you both . I appreciate the responses.

[bravo_2_zero]

around the time the ACU cut not Camo was being designed manufacturers submitted samples in desert Camo as the official Camo hadn't been finalised yet. I have a pair of submitted pants in my collection in Desert but with mix of blue and black stitching. The manufacturers chose a light Camo print and dark thread to asses quality of work without Camo confusing the work.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Would love to see that bravo 2 zero, sounds interesting