Need ID on duck hunter's camo uniform

[Tonomachi]

July 28, 2007

 

Hello,

 

Is this military or something made for the civilian market for sportsmen and hunters? There are no labels in the shirt or pants. The buttons are the black painted steel 13 star variety with RAPID zipper.

 

Thanks,

 

Dennis

[vintageproductions]

Definately civilian, but that's not to say a soldier didn't have a set by mail order / catalog sales in Vietnam. There are many early photos of this type of Duck Hunter camo being worn in Vietnam.

[VALERY]

Bonjour,

Your set is a civilian hunter set made by KAMO. These sets were worn during the Vietnam early years by Special Forces during their TDY. According to pictures, many teams (especially 1st SFGAbn) used these sets. Some were modified with lower pockets moved to the chest. Equally, it seems that some teams sewn name tapes and wings.

Cheers

Valery

[BOB K. RKSS]

I'd say military (whether private purchase, or Gov. issue) Army Special Forces wore this type camo (with metal star buttons) in Vietnam in the early 1960's (before the Tiger Stripe camos were available).

[HBT]

There are also period photos of SEALs wearing this pattern of civilian camo as well. Check out www.indochinamilitaria.com ( in the research section) for info on commercial duck hunter camo.

 

 

---Chris

[VALERY]

I'd say military (whether private purchase, or Gov. issue) Army Special Forces wore this type camo (with metal star buttons) in Vietnam in the early 1960's (before the Tiger Stripe camos were available).

Bonsoir

Sets like Tonomachi (exactly this type) were privately purchased and according to former SF bought through Hunting goods sellers like Sears.

A close pattern with low pockets but without right up chest pockets usually bit plastic buttons were worn during this period.

"Official issue" with metal star buttons were Okinawa made for CISO. These sets have a cut (with a design changing for Asian or US) and a pattern very far from the commercial duck hunter sets made by Kamo.

Cheers

Valery

[vintageproductions]

I am not so sure that this set was made by KAMO as there were numerous other manufacturers who made the exact garent ( Sears, Montgomery Wards, LL Bean, Etc...).Plus KAMO had very large tags sewn on the neck, and there would be traces of the stitching no matter what, if one was removed. Their sole purpose was made for the civilian market. During the eraly US invlovement in Vietnam the only issue camo around was some left over WWII reversible and not much of it was available, or some of the tailor made on Okinawa Mithcell pattern items. Early advisors, not just special forces would ask family members to purchase these sets and have them sent to them. As per the comment of before tiger stripes were available, tiger stripes started being made in the late 50's. They were based on the French Lizzard pattern and the British windproof pattern that had been sent to Vietnam during the 50's. The tailor shops started making private purchase camo uniforms. I believe the first pattern Vietnamese Marine Corps tiger stripes came out around 1958 or 1959.

[vintageproductions]

Also, on the 13 star metal buttons. After WWII ended these buttons were dumped on the civilian markets in large quantities. You will find fashion items, made by all the large clothing companies ( Sears, Wards, Penny's, etc...), that looked like military uniforms ( tanker jackets, jump jackets, flight jackets, field jackets). They used all surplus materials to make these items, and were sold to the public. These buttons were expecially used on sporting good type clothing for the fishing and hunting markets.

[gunbarrel]

The Assault Brigade 2506, famous for the Bay of Pigs invasion, also wore Kamo brand cammies. You can read about it here:

 

http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/brigade2506.htm

 

Here is a photo of a Kamo jacket I picked up recently for pocket change

[beogam]

some BEOGAM for your pleasure i send more the next time

 

REGARDS JEROME

[guillaume le ouf]

hello jerome,

 

it's a pleasure to see you...

 

it's a long time... $

 

je t'appelle dans la semaine je suis en vacances!

 

à++