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Camo Uniform to the CO of TF 116.9 in RVN


Dave
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I have had this in my collection for about 8 years now and I'm thinking (not very hard, but toying with the idea) about selling it. I'm curious as to the value of this set. I've got quite a few other bits from the same fellow (he earned the SS, LOM w/V, PH and 13AM in Vietnam) and am pretty good with dress uniform items, but this is the only piece of "field gear" that I've had in my collection in ages. This set is totally out of my area of collecting, so I don't know if it's worth $50 or $500! There's a nice letter to me from the veteran telling me that he wore these in Vietnam, and they are named to him. Also included with the group is a photo of him in a similar uniform giving a brief to an Admiral. I acquired this set directly from the vet along with the rest of his items (not pictured).

 

Thanks!

 

Dave

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Dave-

The uniform itself is rather common. Assuming it has a nice tag with a 1968 or so DSA date, I'd say somewhere in the $200 to $250 range due to the very cool provenance. Had it sew-on captain birds on the collar, a name tape and most importantly, a nice Viet-made Riverine pocket patch, the value would be FAR higher. In my opinion, being so devoid of insignia (other than the subdued hat pin) keeps the value down.

Anyway you look at it, still a very nice set.

Kurt

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Thanks Kurt!

 

I am pretty good with the value of the other parts of the group, but I just didn't want to shoot too low or too high when adding in the value of this uniform.

 

Unfortunately, it appears that he lessened the value of the uniform himself... in his photo from in country, he only wears metal pin-on insignia, no name tapes and no unit patches - basically this uniform with rank insignia on the collar!

 

I was always impressed with this guy's awards: Silver Star, LOM with 2 stars and V, BSM with V, Purple Heart, Air Medal with "13", and Navy Commendation with star and V! His Vietnam Campaign ribbon is likewise impressive - he must have been there for a lot - four bronze stars and one silver star (9 campaigns!)

 

Dave

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The ERDL camo trousers are actually fairly rare: a lot more shirts than pants survived the last 40 years. I have seen the trousers alone sell for about $100 and if that is a dated ERDL hat, I have seen those alone sell for over $100. However, prices for Vietnam-era combat uniforms can be all over the place and the pants and cap could go for combined $80-100. The shirts maybe $20-30. So without the provenance attached to this, you are looking at perhaps $100-$230, but if you have some convincing documentation to sell this as named combat uniform, I would expect at least the high end, and if you can find two bidders who want an interesting Vietnam era uniform, who knows? I think a set with boonie cap, pants and shirt is hard to come by. I find and sell lots of ERDL shirts, but almost never see the trousers and caps.

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Thanks for the further input! thumbsup.gifthumbsup.gif I have some other uniform items from the Captain, plus his letters to me and the like. It's a group I don't mind keeping, but at the same time if it could score me the money to buy a nice WW1 uniform (or two) I'd be real tempted to part with it. I'll have to mull it over. think.gif

 

Dave

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Maybe I'm not looking at those pieces right, but I don't see anything on the tags saying that they are rip-stop. If that is the case, the prices would be substantially higher than the rip-stop version. In the past, I've seen the non-rip stop ERDL jackets and pants go for over $100 a piece. Now add the fact that these uniforms are identified to a highly decorated vet, I would expect the uniforms to go for a pretty penny.

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Thanks for the further input! thumbsup.gifthumbsup.gif I have some other uniform items from the Captain, plus his letters to me and the like. It's a group I don't mind keeping, but at the same time if it could score me the money to buy a nice WW1 uniform (or two) I'd be real tempted to part with it. I'll have to mull it over. think.gif

 

Dave

 

This would be one of those cases where, if you list it on Ebay, you'd set a reserve price.

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Maybe I'm not looking at those pieces right, but I don't see anything on the tags saying that they are rip-stop. If that is the case, the prices would be substantially higher than the rip-stop version. In the past, I've seen the non-rip stop ERDL jackets and pants go for over $100 a piece. Now add the fact that these uniforms are identified to a highly decorated vet, I would expect the uniforms to go for a pretty penny.

 

 

Good eye. The trousers are 1968 dated ERDL and in a desirable size. The jacket is more desireable because it is pre rip-stop poplin (circa 1966-67). The poplin ERDL is hot because you see a lot of SEALs wearing it in period photos. With the nice photos, I'm going to throw a dart and say that the value of the total group is $250-275.00.

 

---Chris

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