Need help with odd 29th ID patch

[Manchu Warrior]

I recently purchased a tub of subdued patches to include a couple of dozen or so 29th patches to include this one. I looked at it with a loop and it doesn’t look as if it has been painted. I spent a few years in the MDNG with the 29th ID and never came across a gold subdued patch. Possibly someone just playing with gold thread? Do you patch guys have any ideas?

[everforward]

Hmmm…. Well it’s a new one on me as well, I’ve never seen one that seems to have been dyed..? From the back it looks like what was used on woodland BDUs…… perhaps they were trying to rig it up for a DCU, but the color is pretty off for that period as well….closest thing it comes to IMO is for wear on a multicam uniform but it’s not hook and loop.

 

I've never known the SSIs to be in short supply from any period, whether it be at home or theater-made on a deployment so it’s a mystery to me as well.

[Siamundo]

Since it appears to only be the front of the patch and not the back, could it possibly be sun faded? Or maybe bleached out from exposure to something else? I don't know, but will CS gas training fade colors?

[Manchu Warrior]

On 10/24/2025 at 9:47 PM, everforward said:

Hmmm…. Well it’s a new one on me as well, I’ve never seen one that seems to have been dyed..? From the back it looks like what was used on woodland BDUs…… perhaps they were trying to rig it up for a DCU, but the color is pretty off for that period as well….closest thing it comes to IMO is for wear on a multicam uniform but it’s not hook and loop.

 

I've never known the SSIs to be in short supply from any period, whether it be at home or theater-made on a deployment so it’s a mystery to me as well.

At first I thought it was possibly an early attempt at a turning a regular subdued patch into a desert patch for the DCU’s. When I was deployed to the Middle East with the 3rd ID we had the same subdued patches off of are BDU’s on our DCU’s.  As far as it being dyed the thread around the black is also gold so I don’t believe the patch was dyed. With that said I appreciate the information.  Thanks! 

[Manchu Warrior]

15 hours ago, Siamundo said:

Since it appears to only be the front of the patch and not the back, could it possibly be sun faded? Or maybe bleached out from exposure to something else? I don't know, but will CS gas training fade colors?

In all honesty it looks like it was sewn with gold thread. I may never know why and I appreciate your comments.  Thanks! 

[everforward]

12 hours ago, Manchu Warrior said:

At first I thought it was possibly an early attempt at a turning a regular subdued patch into a desert patch for the DCU’s. When I was deployed to the Middle East with the 3rd ID we had the same subdued patches off of are BDU’s on our DCU’s.  As far as it being dyed the thread around the black is also gold so I don’t believe the patch was dyed. With that said I appreciate the information.  Thanks! 

For the sake of discussion, here are a couple of pics to add to the fray… 1st two are of a DBDU of MG (ret) Carroll Childers, then BG…former ADC of the 29th ID, and may have had command of a task force when this uniform was authorized. It’s even possible that these weren’t worn in theater but upon returning home….all the add-ons here are woodland OD, with the exception of his name tape.  His uniform is the only one I’ve seen in this configuration that is 29th-related….there are probably some more but they have yet to fall from the tree.

 

3rd pic is of a theater-made SSI for a DCU top, another uncommon item as the desert SSIs weren’t hard to get but some were made locally… OIF-OEF timeline.

 

[Manchu Warrior]

1 hour ago, everforward said:

For the sake of discussion, here are a couple of pics to add to the fray… 1st two are of a DBDU of MG (ret) Carroll Childers, then BG…former ADC of the 29th ID, and may have had command of a task force when this uniform was authorized. It’s even possible that these weren’t worn in theater but upon returning home….all the add-ons here are woodland OD, with the exception of his name tape.  His uniform is the only one I’ve seen in this configuration that is 29th-related….there are probably some more but they have yet to fall from the tree.

 

3rd pic is of a theater-made SSI for a DCU top, another uncommon item as the desert SSIs weren’t hard to get but some were made locally… OIF-OEF timeline.

 

The chocolate chip pattern happens to be one of my favorites and that sure is a beautiful uniform. Can I asked is the uniform in your collection? 

[everforward]

1 hour ago, Manchu Warrior said:

The chocolate chip pattern happens to be one of my favorites and that sure is a beautiful uniform. Can I asked is the uniform in your collection? 

 
No, MG Childers has it on loan to the 29th Division Museum in Verona, Virginia….. I do have a couple of chip sets in my collection, National Guard but not 29th ID……

[Manchu Warrior]

On 10/26/2025 at 3:37 PM, everforward said:

 
No, MG Childers has it on loan to the 29th Division Museum in Verona, Virginia….. I do have a couple of chip sets in my collection, National Guard but not 29th ID……

I appreciate the information.   Thanks!