Modified Tru Spec Desert tigers - USMC attributed

[jlhworks]

This set was picked up at a show a little over a year ago for $35. Anyone know if these were used by Marines in Iraq? I know ODA guys had them.

I hadn't looked at this since it was purchased, and lately I've been wondering if this is a bogus set, I don't know a whole lot about OIF/OEF uniforms, especially USMC. The hat is the oddest piece. Any help is appreciated.

 

[jlhworks]

I can't imagine marines did much fishing in Iraq...

[jlhworks]

Nametapes

[63 RECON]

Yes, there are pics of force recon wearing DTS.

 

But you'll mainly see them worn by SEALS, ODA, CAG, CIA GRS and various other SOF units

[jlhworks]

Appreciate it!

 

Any idea if this is a put together set?

[63 RECON]

Honestly, its not my number 1 area of knowledge, best person to comment would be Nkomo.

[jlhworks]

Cool, look forward to hearing other comments.

[doyler]

One thing to me that stands out is t Marines dont wear shoulder patches on current uniforms(unless something has changed).

THe practice of the Marine Corps wearing patches ended in 1947 and they wore them only on the dress uniforms then.

 

I have seen and own a couple Desert Camo shirts with the 2nd Mar Div patch on them but they were Army units who were attached or had spent time with the Marines at some level or capacity.THey wpre these as a right shoulder patch.

 

Im wondering if the patches were/are being worn more as a veterans shirt for a retired or former Marine.The name tapes and patches all look pretty fresh as far as wear.Same for the IR Flag.Most I have seen that were worn for any period of time show edge wear,and cracking to the face of the flag etc from wear.

 

Also the Desert Shield pin is a veterans type pin along with the smaller 1st and 2nd Division patches.There is a Seabee Combat Warefare Specialist Badge as well on the cap.Maybe this vet was in the Seabees and served in Desert Storm??

 

Nice set and just a few of my observations.Maybe some of the vets here will chime in and add some information as well.

[Ewart]

Initially my though was airsoft/paintball set. But then I saw the boonie hat, which screams out verteran as per Doylers update above.

 

Now I'm British and on our verteran parades the 'uniform' is suit, blazer and beret, however having seen pictures of US parades it seems like a lot of veterans will wear new sets of camo.

 

To me it's entirely conceivable that a veteran has gone into his local army surplus store bought a set of new cammies, bought a few patches from behind the counter and put them all together for a parade.

 

It appears that the boonie hat was worn more frequently possibly for fishing, given the fly pinned to it and evidence of rusting on there from a lost pin badge.

 

If I remember correctly tru-spec made this uniform in this cut so it isn't end user modified.

[jlhworks]

Hey guys, thanks for the comments!

 

To clarify, it is a modified jacket, there is ghosting from where the lower pockets were.

[Ewart]

Does the blouse have a zip? That combined with the pen pocket on the left lower sleeve makes me still think it's manufactured as an ACU cut shirt as opposed to a modified one.

[jlhworks]

Ya it's got a zip, but like a said it clearly had lower pockets at one time that have been removed. There is ghosting, fraying, and a few small holes. I can't take photos at the moment but you can see some of it in the photos I already posted if you look closely.

[573goose]

No way a standard 2nd and 1st marine unit would look like this. Ive seen and owned documented tigers from 3rd and 5th Group, Ranger, and Seal. Ive not seen a MARSOC version, but wouldnt surprise me. This, however, might be a real Tiger CCU copy, I dont, however believe the insignia is correct.

[taucco]

i think it's been put together,atleast to some extent. That said, the base uniform it's a VERY nice example, that alone it's worth atleast 3 times you paid for it.

[BagmanL6]

Morning - There is a lot about this uniform that just doesn't seem correct. Most has been mentioned above. A possibility is that it was a Marine assigned to one of the units that wore this type of uniform. Even then I think it's a stretch. There are many "unique" uniform combinations coming out of GWOT so modern collectors have learned not to discount anything out of hand. With that said this uniform would really need some solid provenance before many of us would add it to our collections.

[Mercenary25]

I own few modified tigers and have seen many different reference pictures of SOF guys wearing them.

 

But I have a mixed feeling about this one. I do not like patches on it. Just like others, I suspect that patches were added for veteran parades or events. The patches look practically brand new or otherwise unworn.

 

The real question is when was this top modified? If it was modified in duration of vets service and was used in deployment, then awesome. Just take off Velcro patches and pins from the top and boonie hat, then store them in bag. If its modified after veterans service, its fake.

 

As for recon wearing tiger stripe, I havent seen any pictures, nor heard any anecdotes of Recon or MARSOC wearing tigers in GWOT. Recon did experiment with tiger stripe and worn it as OPFOR uniform in 80s, I believe that is what 63 Recon referred to. However there is one thing I learned since collecting the GWOT; never say never.

 

My thoughts only.

[jlhworks]

Hey guys thanks for all the comments.

I usually don't discount Velcro patches for "looking new", I've had several OIF/OEF uniforms direct from vets where the patches and nametapes look unworn, probably because they weren't worn too often.

Wish I had more info on this one.