Rolled vs Flat Edges

[unit91]

I have 2 inch wide cloth Army rank insignia, gold on green and black subdued on green.  Some have rolled edges, some flat.  What time periods do these two edges cover?

[hardstripe]

The two-inch-wide chevrons first came in to use in 1948 and lasted to 1951. They originals were gold on blue for noncombat and blue on gold for combat. These two-inch-wide chevrons were very unpopular and were replaced by three-inch-wide chevrons in 1951. In 1956, pending adoption of the new AG 44 uniforms the two-inch-wide chevrons returned, but only for the new Specialists grades. (gold on AG). In 1957, the Specialists chevrons were increased in size to three-inch wide, again in gold on AG.

The two-inch-wide chevrons for all ranks were used for the Women's Army Corps from 1957 to 1996.

The flat edge chevrons came first. the rolled edge, or merrowed, came into use in 1968.

The AG 44 uniforms for both male and female were the standard issue item from 1957 to about 2005, making it the longest used uniform in Army history.

[hardstripe]

The subdued chevrons, black on olive green, came into use in 1966 during Vietnam. However, the two-inch size was generally not produced. Other than a very few female soldiers who served in Vietnam, females did not serve in combat units. I have several subdued two-inch-wide chevrons in my collection but believe they were produced as samples or fantasy items.  Subdued chevrons were replaced by black metal pin on chevrons in the late 1960s.

[unit91]

Thank you very much!