Boonie Pup Studio replica patch ID

October 23, 2009

Greetings,

Some of you are already aware that I make replica Vietnam era "in-country" or "theater-made" embroidered patches. As interest in Vietnam War history has grown in the past eight years along with Vietnam reenacting and Vietnam militaria collecting, so has the demand for original period in-country patches as well as creating a huge market for fakes and a modest market for known replicas. The latter of which is what I create.

I've been recreating Vietnam era patches for almost five years. I started with no knowledge of the techniques and construction methods and have gradually built a small collection of originals which I study in great detail and have spent much money, effort, and time in experimenting with materials, embroidery techniques, and other resources that assist with "getting it right."

I. Let me be the first to admit that I consider myself to be NO expert and there is much I don't know about these patches. Other Asian nations have produced similar and not-so-similar items during that era and I don't claim to know anything other than what little I know about Vietnam era patches produced in Vietnam.

II. Not all my patches are made to 100% in-country "specs" and the more advanced collectors out there will be better able to distinguish the differences in some of the techniques and particularly the fabrics sometimes used as backing.

III. This guide is NOT intended to compare my wares with fakes and other replicas, or even originals. It is intended to show how I mark them in order to more easily recognize them as replicas. However, as I post more and more of my wares, I hope the reader begins to see consistencies and "styles" of manufacture that become very much a signature for the product. This is also useful for studying fakes, other replicas and originals alike.

IV. MOST IMPORTANTLY: This helper is not a "how-to" guide. I intentionally refrain from specifically describing what fabrics, threads, and other materials are used as well as embroidery techniques. There is no need to make it easy for would-be fraudsters and there are already far too many out there as it is.

Kind regards,

Jeff

October 23, 2009

Marking my replicas has been an evolution, an ongoing process of making sure that (1) the identification doesn't detract from historical accuracy and (2) the identification can not be easily removed, thereby turning an honest replica into a shady fake. Not an easy task!

PRESENTLY I mark all my wares with a purple bobbin or "return" thread on one edge of the reverse sides of the patches. As you look at the BACK of each patch, note the purple thread used on the LEFT edge seam which distinguishes it from the rest.

If the patch were to be sewn to a uniform, as you look at it you would view the RIGHT edge by folding it up from the uniform from where it was sewn on. You should see the purple return thread.

October 23, 2009

Front

October 23, 2009

Same applies to tabs and scrolls

October 23, 2009

Front

October 23, 2009

Here is an example of a Boonie Pup Studio replica patch sewn to a reproduction late war tiger shirt. Note the detail image showing the purple return thread on the reverse side of the tab (sorry it's out of focus, but you can still see purple thread).

1,914 · October 23, 2009

Thanks a lot for the info. I am by no means a patch expert and I probably would have gotten taken by someone trying to sell one of yours as an original. Im glad to see that you've marked them as to not hurt the collecting world.

Mike

August 2, 2010

Some recent additions to the replica-making.

August 2, 2010

Example of hand embroidery. Patch still uses machine sewn edge and reverse has purple thread on one side.

The thread used for hand embroidery on this patch is single thread and sewn using same/similar technique of Vietnamese patches "back in the day" however the thread is of a heavier or greater thickness than most authentic original viet-made pieces. Look closely and you can see each thread is tightly twisted almost like a tiny rope.