Speedor Posted March 3, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 3, 2009 Just came today it didn't have any flash sewn on or sewing marks, so I acquired period correct 5th SF flash. The crest came with the beret and is marked D22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercenary25 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 3, 2009 Nice beret. If I were you, I wouldn't tampering it by sew the flash on. Then it won't be considered as authentic anymore so technically speaking that you're going to ruin piece of history. Just my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted March 3, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 3, 2009 Do I detect there the shadow where the crest had been? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercenary25 Posted March 3, 2009 Share #4 Posted March 3, 2009 Do I detect there the shadow where the crest had been? Same here. I have some reason to believe this beret may be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedor Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted March 3, 2009 Yes, the crest was pinned to the beret when I took it out of the package. It has no marks of use as far as I can see. Even if used, it was used very little, it's in pristine condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_Nek Posted March 4, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 4, 2009 Yes, the crest was pinned to the beret when I took it out of the package. It has no marks of use as far as I can see. Even if used, it was used very little, it's in pristine condition. If you sew it on, it'll increase the value. As long as the thread, flash, and crest are period correct. Most likely, you'll want to have it machine stitched on. The thread should be cotton or cotten polyester blend. If you shave the beret after the crest and flash are on, then you will have a nice field/ used looking beret. These things are reproduced daily, so I doubt you'll be hurting the market value. Of the Vietnam berets in my collection, I have only the ones that I have gotten from the vets themselves. These things are very common to stumble upon, therefore, you might want to go after the pieces that are ID'd to the vet. Most SF guys maked their "green beenies" up with a special code that could be used to identify them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abn Inf Posted March 4, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 4, 2009 If you sew it on, it'll increase the value. As long as the thread, flash, and crest are period correct. Most likely, you'll want to have it machine stitched on. The thread should be cotton or cotten polyester blend. If you shave the beret after the crest and flash are on, then you will have a nice field/ used looking beret. These things are reproduced daily, so I doubt you'll be hurting the market value. Of the Vietnam berets in my collection, I have only the ones that I have gotten from the vets themselves. These things are very common to stumble upon, therefore, you might want to go after the pieces that are ID'd to the vet. Most SF guys maked their "green beenies" up with a special code that could be used to identify them. Why the need for cotton or polyester thread? I still have some old Khaki shirts that had the chevrons, SSI etc sewn on with nylon thread from the 50's and 60's. Some were sewn in shops and others by parachute riggers. I will admit that you were limited to colored thread with the riggers, usually White or OD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim46 Posted March 4, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 4, 2009 It looks as if it had the crest attached at one time, but not the flash. A friend of mine was attached to the 10th SF Group in Germany in the late 1960s but was not SF qualified. He just had an MOS that the group needed at that time. Anyway, he was allowed to wear the beret with the crest but without a 10th Group flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted March 4, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 4, 2009 It looks as if it had the crest attached at one time, but not the flash. A friend of mine was attached to the 10th SF Group in Germany in the late 1960s but was not SF qualified. He just had an MOS that the group needed at that time. Anyway, he was allowed to wear the beret with the crest but without a 10th Group flash. That was my understanding of it too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_Nek Posted March 4, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 4, 2009 Why the need for cotton or polyester thread? I still have some old Khaki shirts that had the chevrons, SSI etc sewn on with nylon thread from the 50's and 60's. Some were sewn in shops and others by parachute riggers. I will admit that you were limited to colored thread with the riggers, usually White or OD. Cotton and cotton polyester are for the earlier periods covering the close of WW2. It burns better than the nylon and can be easily passed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANDALL 1953 Posted March 4, 2009 Share #11 Posted March 4, 2009 Its a very nice beret whether you sew the flash on or leave as is to display. I would not mind having one like that in my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedor Posted March 4, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted March 4, 2009 Thanks for the opinions, I'm just starting my SF collection after years of collecting Vietnam airborne stuff. I didn't realize that the berets were also used without the flashes. I'm still pondering whether to sew the flash on or not, it's a nice mint period patch too, you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orko Posted March 7, 2009 Share #13 Posted March 7, 2009 Thanks for the opinions, I'm just starting my SF collection after years of collecting Vietnam airborne stuff. I didn't realize that the berets were also used without the flashes. I'm still pondering whether to sew the flash on or not, it's a nice mint period patch too, you know you could always just pin the flash on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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