Today's finds - Couple of questions on Navy rates and 173rd patches

[316th FS 324th FG]

These came today. What is the blue stripe?

[316th FS 324th FG]

Are these standard US made 173rd patches? The fully embroidered one looks kinda different

[316th FS 324th FG]

backs

[316th FS 324th FG]

What are these rates? And what time frame? Storekeeper? Interesting how they sewed up one strip to make them PO2.

[jeb137]

The two single blue stripes are Apprentice (E2) stripes. If I recall the blue were (are) for Seabee rates, Corpsman and Dental tech.

 

The two crows - the one on the right is a early MS2 patch. Mess Management Specialist. They call them Culinary specialists now, CS. Also lovinging refered to as Stewburners. I think they say the CS rate actually stands for "Chicken Servers", but I really can not confirm that.

 

The CS aka MS rate was the merger of the Stewards and Commissaryman Rates in the early 70s, 1974 or 75 I think.

 

I think the patch on the left is the Commissaryman.

 

 

Jon B

Newaygo Mi

[KurtA]

Are these standard US made 173rd patches? The fully embroidered one looks kinda different

Actually, it's the twill 173rd that is "different." Very nice U.S.-made first issue subdued example. A bit later, they went to the full embroidered types, which are far more common.

Kurt

[gwb123]

The coloring of the fully embroidered 173rd patch is simply a result of laundering and sunlight. Patches would discolor in different ways depending on what the uniform was routinely washed in and what part of the world it was worn (more sun in Hawaii, less in Germany).

[gwb123]

The coloring of the fully embroidered 173rd patch is simply a result of laundering and sunlight. Patches would discolor in different ways depending on what the uniform was routinely washed in and what part of the world it was worn (more sun in Hawaii, less in Germany).

 

Also, I confirm the comments about the subdued on twill version. There were two made... one with an attached airborne tab, and one without. A lot of collectors prefer this version.

[316th FS 324th FG]

The two single blue stripes are Apprentice (E2) stripes. If I recall the blue were (are) for Seabee rates, Corpsman and Dental tech.

 

The two crows - the one on the right is a early MS2 patch. Mess Management Specialist. They call them Culinary specialists now, CS. Also lovinging refered to as Stewburners. I think they say the CS rate actually stands for "Chicken Servers", but I really can not confirm that.

 

The CS aka MS rate was the merger of the Stewards and Commissaryman Rates in the early 70s, 1974 or 75 I think.

 

I think the patch on the left is the Commissaryman.

Jon B

Newaygo Mi

 

Jon, thanks for the info

[316th FS 324th FG]

Kurt and Gil

 

Thanks for the help. The 173rd patches were why I wanted the lot. Based on the really crummy photo, I knew at least one was twill, had hoped both were. I really like the twill one though.

[Salvage Sailor]

These came today. What is the blue stripe?

 

Constructionman Apprentice (E-2)

[316th FS 324th FG]

Constructionman Apprentice (E-2)

 

Salvage, thanks much!

[svt40]

Also all Navy rates after PO3 come in the PO1 variety only. We had to cut them down to make either a PO2 or PO3 as required.

[bhmilitarycollector84]

doug nice 173rd twill patch

 

the rest are great too

 

:thumbsup: