Corpsmancollector Posted March 3, 2013 Share #1 Posted March 3, 2013 Hey guys, Picked up these 2 patches recently from the same seller, 'USMC Pathfinder' and 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. I'm thinking Philippines made, but would welcome opinions from the more versed patch collectors! Has anyone seen the 'USMC pathfinder' patch before? Is it fake, novelty or a tour jacket patch? Both pieces seem well made and have fairly vivid colours. Thanks, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted March 3, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted March 3, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 3, 2013 Share #4 Posted March 3, 2013 These were made for collectors and sold in surplus stores in the 80's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted March 3, 2013 Bob, Thanks! Not being a Vietnam collector my post was an 'educated' guess! The 9th Marine Brigade patch is quite good, quality wise. When you say made for collectors, made in the US or overseas? Hope you had some good buys at SOS! Will V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted March 4, 2013 Share #6 Posted March 4, 2013 The patch designs predate the 80's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 4, 2013 Share #7 Posted March 4, 2013 The patch designs do predate the 80's but the construction does not. These two, in the top photo were made in Taiwan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted March 5, 2013 Thanks for the information guys, these came in a larger lot of WWII patches and were 'extras'. I thought the construction looked 'ok' but it just goes to show the complexities of Vietnam era patch collecting I guess! Amazing really that designs from the 60's and 70's were produced in the 80's 'for collectors'. Talk about a mine field! Thanks again, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted March 5, 2013 Share #9 Posted March 5, 2013 These were made for collectors and sold in surplus stores in the 80's Bob just curious: since the way the patches are made in the P.I has not really changed since the 60's,how are you able to pinpoint when they were made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 5, 2013 Share #10 Posted March 5, 2013 Those aren't Philippine made they are Taiwanese made. If you want to use PI made patches as an example, they have changed many times from the 60's-90's, in their construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted March 5, 2013 Share #11 Posted March 5, 2013 How do you know these were made in Taiwan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 5, 2013 Share #12 Posted March 5, 2013 You can tell they were made in Taiwan by the machine embroidery, the specific stitch, and esp. the colors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 5, 2013 Share #13 Posted March 5, 2013 Just to add to this discussion here is what an original looks like. This one came from one of the first members of Marine Recon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 5, 2013 Share #14 Posted March 5, 2013 Besides the general design, the original patch looks nothing like the ones made in the 80's and up into today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted March 5, 2013 Share #15 Posted March 5, 2013 Just to add to this discussion here is what an original looks like. This one came from one of the first members of Marine Recon. When and where was this one made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted March 5, 2013 Share #16 Posted March 5, 2013 Made in Japan, possibly Okinawa in the very early 60's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted March 6, 2013 Just to add to this discussion here is what an original looks like. This one came from one of the first members of Marine Recon. Thanks for posting Bob, that is a beauty for sure! As you say, lots of different features in appearance and construction when compared to the one in my original post. When I first got the 'USMC Pathfinder' patch, I wasn't sure if it was a completely fictitious patch or based on an original design made in theatre and used by Marines. You mention early Marine Recon - do you know if the patches were issued to any other Marine personnel? Cheers, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now