Latest BDU Finds

[MPage]

I went back to a new source yesterday and went through all of their BDU's and some of the DCU's I missed last time. I looked at probably 1,000 pieces, in tied-up bundles. It was so tedious that after a while I just looked at the collars sticking out, to discern ranks, and went from there, thus I probably missed one or two EM air force coats. There were tons of USAF and also 3rd ACR was heavily represented.

 

 

 

Forward air controller:

 

The place I get these from, gets them out of the woodwork, so I know they're legit. I can see why this one, below, ordinarily might be a little suspect:

 

 

 

There were several ERDL's, and I got one with a Thai tailor label, but passed up a short-sleeve ERDL with crude, Thai-made USAF chief master sergeant stripes. I'll probably go back and get it, and some more common stuff that I stashed, later.

 

There were a few modified DCU's and I grabbed one, and some other DCU's such as this nice one, below, with theater-made 2nd Mar Div SSI:

 

 

Too many BDU's and DCU's; not enough time...

[ABrangerjoe]

Please do show more! In my opinion I think the BDU with MACV is a put togther. But sounds like you got some great stuff!

[Mercenary25]

Please do show more! In my opinion I think the BDU with MACV is a put togther. But sounds like you got some great stuff!

 

They haven't faked BDUs and DCUs.... yet....

 

Very nice finds!

[SKIPH]

MPage-Cpt Allgood's BDU shirt is real questionable. 1) Ranger tab is not authorized to be worn over SF tab,(SF is the higher award).2)Jungle school patch was not authorized for wear, I believe after 1973 or 74, plus it's fairly new compared to other patches.Over all a CPT w/CIB, CMB,Rigger Wings,Pathfinder Badge,Master Wings, SF & Ranger tab, plus MACV patch.That,s a tall order, possible-- sure, but very rare. Just my opinion. SKIP

[MPage]

MPage-Cpt Allgood's BDU shirt is real questionable. 1) Ranger tab is not authorized to be worn over SF tab,(SF is the higher award).2)Jungle school patch was not authorized for wear, I believe after 1973 or 74, plus it's fairly new compared to other patches.Over all a CPT w/CIB, CMB,Rigger Wings,Pathfinder Badge,Master Wings, SF & Ranger tab, plus MACV patch.That,s a tall order, possible-- sure, but very rare. Just my opinion. SKIP

 

As I alluded to earlier, this piece would ordinarily be suspect, however I can't understand how this would turn up in a warehouse full of legit BDU's and DCU's. Also the rigger patch is over on the right side.

 

Having said that, the date in the coat appears to be "81" and the captain's rank and infantry insignia appear to be fairly new, which makes some sense. The 1st SOCOM patch was authorized in 1983. The

[ABrangerjoe]

It looks as if they just sewed the patches on without folding the extra cloth under. What do you guys think? :think:

[MPage]

It looks as if they just sewed the patches on without folding the extra cloth under. What do you guys think? :think:

 

 

EDIT: They've all been folded under to an extent.

[MPage]

Here's another I found at the same source - there's nothing against regulations, but it shows diverse occupations. Captain with air force Senior Aircrew Badge, and Missile Badge with operations wreath which I believe is for ICBMs.

 

Under the pocket flap: army Air Assault Badge, army Expert Field Medical Badge, and air force Medical Corps Badge. Pretty unusual.

 

[anelles]

I am jealous. You sure have a good source.

[Philip]

Very nice finds. I like the hidden badges.

[vzemke]

There are quite a few VERY questionable things about your "Allgood" BDU top. The two biggest issues I have are:

 

1. As has already been mentioned that the SF and Ranger tabs are in the wrong order. What has not been mentioned so far is that it is also missing an "Airborne" tab. The 1st Special Operations Command patch was not supposed to be worn without an ABN tab, its not a qualification tab but its a part of the SSI (even though its a seperate piece)

 

2. If this is for real, CPT Allgood should have gotten his money back from the sew shop. The collar rank, the CIB, Master Parachutist badge and Pathfinder badge all look like they were sewn on by someone who either didn't know what they were doing or was drunk. This is not the work of someone who knew what they were doing or had sewn a lot of uniforms. The SSI are also too close to the shoulder seam on both sides, but thats a rather small issue and wouldn't normally be a deal breaker.

 

My "vote" (for what its worth) is that this is a put together piece. I don't think this would have been put together to decieve however. I guess the real question is, where does your source recieve its BDUs from? From DRMO (Gov't Surplus) or possibly from a regional second hand store chain (like Goodwill)? It could have been done by a costume rental company, or for a low budget film, or for halloween, etc and then eventually worked its way into the second hand clothing market. Just because it comes out of the so called "woodwork" doesn't always mean its beyond question.

 

Vance

[Mercenary25]

I just don't get it. If MPage paid under $30 then what's the point to put all effort to buy patches then sew? If person couldn't sew, he would have to have specialist to sew for him which would cost him. Fakers put together uniforms that would make a lot money such as WWII Airborne or Vietnam War SF Advisor uniform. But BDUs? They go for under $20. I realize that most of guys here are correct about suspicious at how patches set up. Just my .02 cents.

[vzemke]

We as collectors tend to look at things with a rather narrow view sometimes. Just because something is at a second hand store or was aquired for cheap doesn't always work as a hard and fast rule for it being legit. Like I pointed out in my earlier comment, there are several possible scenarios where a BDU (or any other uniform) could be put together with no intent to decieve or defraud, but over the years it still ends up in the second hand clothing market and is all of a sudden beyond question because we think who would bother to fake it fake it.

 

I just don't get it. If MPage paid under $30 then what's the point to put all effort to buy patches then sew? If person couldn't sew, he would have to have specialist to sew for him which would cost him. Fakers put together uniforms that would make a lot money such as WWII Airborne or Vietnam War SF Advisor uniform. But BDUs? They go for under $20. I realize that most of guys here are correct about suspicious at how patches set up. Just my .02 cents.

[ColBob506]

I agree that there is some skewing to the patches on the Allgood blouse,but the sewing itself is good and is in keeping with what I remember seeing when the bdu's were still new to the army.I was stationed at Ft. Lewis from Nov. 81 thru to May of 84 and was in close proximity and worked with both the 2/75 th and 1st special ops. I admit that as a Sgt. I would have been more attuned to the rank then all the 'goodies',(remember for officers,they are merely rungs on the ladder up,rather then important skill sets) I still recall having seen at least one set-up very much like this one.The Jungle expert,was as I know for a fact still earned and worn up till 84,I would not know after that.

The William's blouse,from a strictly tailor viewpoint would be more suspect,in as I see at least 3 different styles of sewing on items which would have been placed on the blouse at the same time.Though,I admit that maybe due to being sewn on by either the man himself or his wife/girlfriend which could explain that.

Personally,being as they came from big bundles in a warehouse,as was stated before,I can't see where a put-up would garner much of a profit to make it worth while to do.

I say enjoy your finds and perhaps do some research into them and don't worry overmuch on them,especially if you bought them to keep rather then to sell.

This has been my zwei pfennig on the matter and in no way should be construed as "expert" advice as I'm not a profesional collector,but a reenactor/pack rat.

[MPage]

OK, so much for CPT Allgood....

 

Anyway, I picked up this Thai-made ERDL with that group. Were these specifically made for the US military (as opposed to the Thai military)? I see that the label indicates U Tapao airbase.