rayg Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share #26 Posted December 19, 2013 Thanks Max, the Harian stamp on yours is certainly different then the stamp on the one I have. I also saw another original stamp like yours in my research. Not sure what area the strap with the buckle is located. Could you take a little more distant photo or Id where it is. I can't pinpoint the area. Thanks, Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max0073 Posted December 19, 2013 Share #27 Posted December 19, 2013 Hi, the buckle is on the chest Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWII_GI Posted December 19, 2013 Share #28 Posted December 19, 2013 Another one of these was posted in the forum a couple months ago by GeneralCheese. It was almost a mint example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welshman Posted December 19, 2013 Share #29 Posted December 19, 2013 Found your guy, looks like he enlisted after D-Day. http://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=5&cat=all&tf=F&sc=24994,24995,24996,24998,24997,24993,24981,24983&bc=,sl,fd&txt_24995=Jack+D.+Hansen++&op_24995=0&nfo_24995=V,24,1900&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=6880249&rlst=1811581,6880249,6975985,7720326,8199616 EDIT: Never mind, it's the wrong guy. Sorry I'm off topic of post, but liked your link Austin R, going to try to use it, in finding my American soldier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayg Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share #30 Posted December 19, 2013 Thanks Max, that does it. There is no X sewing on that strap on the one I have. The vest will be returned and I know the guy I got it from was not aware it was a repro. But the good thing is he knows the guy be got it from, and I might ad, probably didn't know either, Appreciate you taking the time to take the photos and post them for me, Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayg Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share #31 Posted December 19, 2013 Max, I may have looked at the wrong strap, was that the top strap or the lower one. My top one has no X stitching but the lower one does, Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capa Posted December 19, 2013 Share #32 Posted December 19, 2013 I am less skeptical than you guys on this, but I have never held an original in my hands. I like the angles you are working on proving why it may not be original, but I offer a few points to consider. First off, the lettering of the name sure does look period. Also, we need to ask when a reproduction like this would have been made and why? How long did the guy have it in storage because we all agree it has some age to it correct? How long have reenactors been doing D-Day impressions and it's been my experience that the earlier the reenacting (i.e. Civil War) the less accurate the repro clothing and gear was. Make sense? Finally, I would also think that there would be a fair amount of variation during the hurried production of these. Are all the existing examples exactly alike? I am interested in buying it if you aren't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayg Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share #33 Posted December 19, 2013 Capa, there is no question in my mind that it is an artificially aged repro. There is evidence of the use of bleach on the material and the underside of the straps. And the bleach has eaten and weakened the canvas of the straps to were some of the tips are about to fall off. I would suggest you save your money besides it wasn't cheap. I was only willing to pay the price if it was good. Here are some bleached area. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberry 9 Posted December 19, 2013 Share #34 Posted December 19, 2013 At The Front does a repro and here is a shot of their maker's mark. To bad about this one. It would have been an awesome find even with the damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldabewla Posted December 19, 2013 Share #35 Posted December 19, 2013 The markings on the question vest is more like what is found on the WWII Harian field gear which & have some mint unissued examples of! Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjoshman Posted January 5, 2014 Share #36 Posted January 5, 2014 Definitely an At The Front Reproduction. Their vest new:https://www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=USGAVTR It looks like someone took one of their vests, threw it in the washing machine, maybe did a salt water/ocean water bath, and some other artificial aging. But it is definitely a reproduction.Also reenactors often will mark their gear with their name and fake ASN to add depth to their impression and lend authenticity to their gear. It looks like that is what was done here.-Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted January 6, 2014 Share #37 Posted January 6, 2014 How long have reenactors been doing D-Day impressions and it's been my experience that the earlier the reenacting (i.e. Civil War) the less accurate the repro clothing and gear was. Make sense? Finally, I would also think that there would be a fair amount of variation during the hurried production of these. Are all the existing examples exactly alike? I did D-Day living history/reenacting in the mid-1980's and everything we wore was much more accurate than any of the repros now available, because it was all real. There was no need for repros. I remember seeing the first repro Assualt Landing Jackets in the early 1990's, although the one the OP shows is much newer, but definitly fake. The majority of real Jackets I've seen are pretty much identical. There is some minor variation, but they no evidence they were rushed through production or shortcuts were involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinO Posted January 6, 2014 Share #38 Posted January 6, 2014 About 20 years ago there was a dealer set up at a Wisconsin Dells flea market with a handful of these (originals) in varying conditions. Yours could have come out of that pile. I don't think yours was "used on D-day." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldabewla Posted January 7, 2014 Share #39 Posted January 7, 2014 At The Front is always set up each year at the August military vehicle show at Iola, Wis. for many years and they most likey had stopped at the Dells and set up a the flea on their way home. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted January 7, 2014 Share #40 Posted January 7, 2014 Establishing provenance is not always easy. From reading this thread I'm still not sure what is going on. Is it a fake ? I'm not smart can someone please help me sort the facts from the opinions ? What are the facts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capa Posted January 7, 2014 Share #41 Posted January 7, 2014 Perhaps someone could contact Rollin at ATF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted January 7, 2014 Share #42 Posted January 7, 2014 It looks nothing like the one I had. As far as I know, there were a few variations in shade, but none that had that many different shades between the canvas, trim and straps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken88 Posted January 16, 2014 Share #43 Posted January 16, 2014 I think the weave in the straps looks good, as does the fabric. It looks just like the weave in the strap on my 1943 dated Harian GP bag. I wouldn't focus on the maker's mark, the materials used are far more important. Companies like Harian had at least several stamps available to mark their finished goods. Not saying it's 100% authentic but at first glance I do like it. There's a collector's guide on these in 'Spearheading D-day'. Perhaps not a bad idea to look into it, you still might have an original vest there. By the way, mind you that these vests were often treated with gas and water repellent products since they were first wave issue, this could have caused the color to change as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenm Posted January 16, 2014 Share #44 Posted January 16, 2014 As has already been said before, it's a bleached ATF repro. No need to prolong this, this info is already in the thread. Look at the straps and buckles. No wear other than the bleach damage. Someone tried to make it look well-used and royally effed it up. Cheers, Glen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gap Posted January 18, 2014 Share #45 Posted January 18, 2014 Of course. The US armed forces fiscal year 1944 started on July 1, 1943 and ended on June 30, 1944. What is stamped it is contract (fiscal) year, not calenadar year. If dated field gear reflects the fiscal year, why is there no 1946 dated gear out there??? Would seem to make more sense that the date reflects the calendar year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenm Posted January 18, 2014 Share #46 Posted January 18, 2014 Gregory, no way it that correct. For example, that would mean that 1944-dated M1944 Packs were made before June 30 1944, which isn't right. Dates on field grear are calendar years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner98 Posted January 28, 2014 Share #47 Posted January 28, 2014 this vest looks like a ranger assault vest, the fIrst ones come In OD 3 and then changed to OD 7. The rangers use this vest especially on D Day but they were issued to some divisions too. Captain Miller used it after the omaha beach invasion on Saving private Ryan movie. Carlos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 28, 2014 Share #48 Posted January 28, 2014 this vest looks like a ranger assault vest, the fIrst ones come In OD 3 and then changed to OD 7. The rangers use this vest especially on D Day but they were issued to some divisions too. Captain Miller used it after the omaha beach invasion on Saving private Ryan movie. Carlos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGCoastArtillery41 Posted January 28, 2014 Share #49 Posted January 28, 2014 Captain Miller used it after the omaha beach invasion on Saving private Ryan movie. Did that just happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capa Posted January 28, 2014 Share #50 Posted January 28, 2014 It did...but cut him some slack anyway it's his first post... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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