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Modified Military Jackets


Nkomo
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Lance,

Thanks for adding your examples to the thread! It is always good have more examples for reference!!! :thumbsup:

 

Snake,

Thanks for adding your photos for reference as well. :thumbsup:

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Lance,

Thanks for adding your examples to the thread! It is always good have more examples for reference!!! :thumbsup:

 

Thanks for the kind words Arch! Your collection and postings are part of the reasons that I got into these. Not sure if I should applaud or curse you! I know how my wife would vote.

 

More examples to follow ......

 

Snake,

Thanks for adding your photos for reference as well. :thumbsup:

 

Snake36bravo, thanks for sharing the 173rd modified photos. There are a couple of us here on the forum who have a real passion for the 173rd Mods. Iv'e thought a couple of times about starting a thread just for those tops. your photographs make for great reference material!

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Very nice Special Operations Forces modification of a 2002 made Advantage Wear DCU. Chest pockets have been moved to sleeves and are straight (no angle). A large rectangle of velcro has been added to the body of these pockets. The flap of each pocket has an added vecro square for the application of glint tape or an IR tab. The cargo pockets have been moved up to the chest and angled (inward). All of the pockets retain their original button closures. Name and branch tape locations have been modified with added velcro strips. Note that these strips are aligned horizontally, and do not follow the top line of the slanted pockets. Note also that there is an added larger velcro rank square to the front similar to that found on the ACU jackets. No "ghosting" or other evidence of SSI or other patches. I like these jackets with the slanted chest pockets. Another piece that may be associated with Naval Special Warfare units.

 

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Here is a Special Forces modification built on a 2002 Tru-Spec DCU with some interesting variations. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves at an angle and are applied with some space below the shoulder. There is no velcro applied to the pockets. The left arm and shoulder has a very long rectangular velcro patch applied. The right shoulder has an unusual green flag shaped velcro as well as a small square for the application of glint tape or an IR tab. Some feel that the long velcro strip is added to accommodate the Special Force's "Tower of Power". The pockets have been moved farther down the sleeve than normal to make room for the odd shaped velcro additions. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. All of the pockets retain their original button closures. Name and branch tape locations have been modified with added velcro strips. No "ghosting" or other evidence of SSI or other patches. Neat top with the two different colors of velcro.

 

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Hey Chris, this one should look familiar!!

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Snake36bravo, thanks for sharing the 173rd modified photos. There are a couple of us here on the forum who have a real passion for the 173rd Mods. Iv'e thought a couple of times about starting a thread just for those tops. your photographs make for great reference material!

Agreed. However...some of us have a hard time finding any 173rd ABN modified DCU's!!!!! :lol::lol: And that is coming from someone who has over 80 modified DCU's and BDU's!!!!

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Close-up photograph of the right shoulder and upper sleeve area. Note the green flag velcro, IR/Glint tape velcro square and placement of the sleeve pocket. Also interesting is what appears to be field repairs to the left side of the pocket flap.

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Commercial jacket by Tru-Spec in their Desert Tiger Stripe camouflage pattern with minor modifications. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves at a hard angle and are applied with little space below the shoulder. Both pocket body and flap have large, tan velcro strips applied. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. No "ghosting" or any evidence of SSI or other patches. Ample photographic evidence exsists of these jackets being worn by Special Operations Forces in the GWOT. This top was acquired from a source in California.

 

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This is an interesting modified Woodland BDU built on a Terry Manufacturing Company top from their 1996 contract. Note that both the original chest and cargo pockets are in place and have not been modified in any way. However, an extra set of chest pockets have been added to the sleeves. A very unusual variation. In this example the additional sleeve pockets are sewn straight with the arm and shoulder seam. The pockets are also placed very high on the shoulder. As previously indicated these are usually signs of an early modification. The sleeve pockets have green velcro affixed to the body and flap. The sleeve pockets retain their original button closures. The name tape has been removed and a US made Army branch tape remains intact. There is no "ghosting" or other evidence of SSI or other patches. I have seen only a handful of jackets modified in this manner. Another top which came from a source in California.

 

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As mentioned earlier the jacket below is an example of a Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta (SFOD-D) modified DCU. The top itself is by American Apparel on their 1999 contract. As in the BDU example (Post #145) the chest pockets have been moved to the sleeves. Note the extreme angle which almost appears to point downward but is actually horizontal to the operator when worn. These pockets have brown and tan velcro affixed to the body and flap. An IR square has also been sewn to each sleeve pocket. The pocket buttons have been replaced with velcro. The cargo pockets have been moved up to the chest. These pockets retain their original button closure. Name and branch tape locations have been modified with added velcro strips. There is no sign of removed patch "ghosting" on the jacket. Have seen photographs and video of Delta/CAG operators wearing DCUs with only American flags at each shoulder. Interesting that unlike the BDU version the sleeve pockets here have been lowered to accommodate velcro flag application. Again, some collectors will refer to this a "D-Boy" or Delta Force modification.

 

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A couple of detailed photographs to show the velcro modified chest pocket as sewn to the upper sleeve along with IR tab and velcro flag rectangle.

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Agreed. However...some of us have a hard time finding any 173rd ABN modified DCU's!!!!! :lol::lol: And that is coming from someone who has over 80 modified DCU's and BDU's!!!!

 

Hey, Arch! You got it bad but I think I have it even worse. Regardless, I will get some pieces photographed and start that thread. And yes, they can be tough to locate ......

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Not modified in the traditional sense but here is a 2005 contract ACU by DJ Manufacturing which has been dyed dark gray green for use by Special Operations Forces. The dye darkening of the jacket is the only modification. This jacket and another that is identical were obtained by a fellow forum member from one of the shops near Fort Bragg. I am told (independent of the jacket's source) that these dyed garments have been used in Afghanistan by US Special Forces operators. I'm also told that in addition to the gray/green other colors exist as well. If anyone here has further would be interested ......

 

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Shifting gears here again to show a couple of modified jackets that are not asociated with Special Operations Forces. This is a 1999 contract DCU by Golden Manufacturing Company left patched Multi-National Forces Iraq. Right side reversed color American flag. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves and placed at an angle. No velcro has been added to the pockets and the original button closures are extant. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. Name tape and collar rank patches have been removed and theres is a US made Army branch tape in place. I really wish this one still had the name tape. Another top that came from one of the shops near Fort Polk.

 

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Here is an early double patched 1st Infantry Division DCU by American Apparel on their 1999 contract. Right side also has reversed color American flag. Only modifications are the added black velcro squares sewn under the SSI on each sleeve. Glint tape monuted on velcro is attached to these sleeve squares. All insignia is US made. This top came from one of the shops near Fort Polk.

 

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Another modified 1st Infantry Division top, this one a 1997 contract DCU by Unicor, Greenville, Illinois. Combat patched to the 3rd ID and with a reversed color American flag. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves and placed at an angle. No velcro has been added to the pockets and the original button closures are extant. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. The 3rd Infantry SSI is theatre made. All other insignia is US made. This top and a second near identical DCU to the same man were obtained from a fellow forum member in Florida.

 

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In my experience modified jackets badged to infantry units are very difficult to locate.

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Modified 82 Airborne Division DCU started with a 1997 contract by Unicor, Greenville, Illinois. Left has 82nd SSI to shoulder and reversed color American flag right. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves and placed at a slight angle. No velcro has been added to the pockets and the original button closures remain in place. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. All insignia is US made with exception of the basic parachutist wing which appears to be Iraq, theatre made. This jacket came from one of the shops near Fort Bragg.

 

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Interesting modified DCU in a configuration that may be associated Air Force Special Operations Command units. Unknown maker and contract date as most of the garment tags have been removed. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves at a slight angle. Large square of velcro has been sewn to only the body of these pockets. Button closures have been replaced with velcro. Left side pocket velcro is boldly marked with NKA for "No Known Allergies". The chest pockets have not been moved or modified except for the removal of the button closures which have again been replaced with velcro. Green velcro rectangle above left chest pocket is an indicator of an Air Force modification. Noticible "ghosting" is visible in the area of the name and branch tapes as well as rectagular (flag shaped) sections at both shoulders. Inside of garment bottom left has boldly inked Special over XXX. Unknown meaning, perhaps a team name or call sign? Some collectors feel these are Air Force Special Operations, Para Rescue Jumpers, TACP, Combat Controllers, modifications. I do not know that to be true. This top came from a source in the state of Florida.

 

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Modified left sleeve pocket (open) in close-up to show the NKA marking and velcro closure detail.

 

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Marker writing of unknown meaning to inside bottom left of garment. Heavily inked Special over XXX.

 

Last one for tonight, more if there is interest .......

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Very interesting Special Operations Forces modification of a Unicor, Manchester, Kentucky DCU. I am unable to advise the contract date because the label does not have any contract information! See photograph below. Chest pockets have been moved to sleeves and are straight (no angle). No velcro has been applied to the pocket's exterior. A color reverse American flag has been sewn to the flap of the right sleeve pocket. The cargo pockets have been moved up to the chest at an extreme inward angle. All of the pockets have been modified by the removal of the buttons to be replaced by velcro strip closures. No name or branch tapes and no velcro at those locations. No "ghosting" or other evidence of SSI or other patches. A favorite top of mine with slanted chest pockets. Perhaps associated with Naval Special Warfare units this top was acquired from by a source at one of teh shops near NAB, Little Creek.

 

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Closer photograph of the flag sewn to the flap of the right sleeve pocket. An interesting sewn attachment instead of the more commonly encountered velcro.

 

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As mentioned above a close-up view of the inner label which is unusual in that it does not have any contract information. This is the only BDU/DCU in my collection with this type of tag oddity. If anyone here has thoughts on the tag please reply .....

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Another commercial jacket by Tru-Spec this time in the traditional Tiger Stripe camouflage pattern with minor modifications. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves at an angle and are applied with little space below the shoulder. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. All pockets retain their original button closures and there is no velcro sewn to the garment. No "ghosting" or other evidence of any removed patches. Ample photographic evidence exists of these jackets being worn by Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan. I purchased this top from a fellow forum menber who acquired it from one of the shops near Fort Bragg.

 

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Sorry but I was unable to get these images taken in such a way to make the sleeve pockets distinctly visible.

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Another Special Forces modification this time of a Unicor, Manchester, Kentucky DCU on their 1997 contract. Cargo pockets have been moved to sleeves and placed at an angle. Tan velcro has been added to the body portion only of these pockets. The chest pockets have not been modified in any way. All of the pockets retain their original button closures. Name tape location has been modified with an added velcro strip. The desert Army branch tape is sewn onto the garment (no velcro). There is also an interesting modification to the sleeve cuffs which is described in greater detail below. No "ghosting" or other evidence of SSI or other patches. Another top that came from one of the shops near Fort Bragg and was obtained from a fellow forum member.

 

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Cuff modification as noted above. Extra stiching has been added to hold the cuff tongue flap in place. Makes it very difficult to button the cuff. Note the extra stitching lines:

 

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Cuff tongue will only open this far due to modification. Not sure on the theory behind this one ......

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