The RANGERS diamond patch is actually rather common and doesn’t need to be over analyzed in determining originality.   Patch King/Hobby Guild produced very large quantities of them in the 1940’s.  No way to really tell, but the vast majority of those encountered are from these companies.   If a RANGERS diamond is made like any other typical  1940’s era US-made patch, it’s probably just fine. The crazy prices these things bring is not due to  rarity, but the D Day coolness factor associated with them.    

Thanks very much for your help with this. Appreciate the additional photos.

I hate to admit, I didn't ask. I see him around and will have to ask him. I remember him telling me he picked it up and think it was at the flea market. He didn't know it was military and neither did I. Just had a hunch. 

Nice, I love the miniatures!   I have an original Tiffany Cross version on a mounted mini set in my collection.  Congrats Chris!   P.S. Thank you for the inscribed copy of your book, and the other goodies, it is truly a beautiful piece of work Sir! 🥰

They were procured by the Marine Corps directly. There was one contract for 2,000 m1936 suspenders prior to the war that I have documentation on. I cant recall both names, but one was Sam Froehlich Co. I have a named pair to an officer.

All good open questions regarding the blue vs. red flame, yet I can now surmise that the blue flame was not made in error as many collectors have stated.

I went through The Basic School at Quantico, where all Marine Officers go when commissioned.   Officers are required to purchase pretty much everything uniform-wise, and even today, some of their equipment. There is an entire incorporated "town" within Quantico Marine Corps Base called "Quantico Town". It has a large variety of stores which cater primarily to the equipping of Officers for everything that they are required to purchase. Mostly uniform items now.   From what I understand, during WWII and prior, Marine Officers were also required to purchase all of their gear as well. I understand that up until a point sometime in the 1920s or 30s, Officers were also required to purchase and house a mount (horse) and buy a service pistol and rifle. I don't know when that ended, but the stables are still out at Camp Pendleton next to the golf course and the old Officer's club and old original officer housing to this very day.   My point is this;   Seeing all of the pre-war M1936 USMC marked suspenders, the officer "musette style" pack, and other items, especially being worn in early war photos by Marine Officers like Puller and Carlson and on Marine Officers on Guadalcanal, it makes obvious sense to me that this was the "officer quality" gear that was being pushed during the period for Marine Officers to purchase. That goes for the Enlisted men you see wearing it as well. The shops in Quantico Town will sell "officer quality" items to any Enlisted men who wish to purchase it.   That has generally been my observation and supposition for a while. That the M1936 style gear was mostly pre-war private purchase by USMC officers from suttlers at places like Quantico Town which is why you see it being worn mostly by Officers in the early years of fighting in the Pacific. I would be interested to know if any of the M1936 gear was ever an item of issue to Enlisted Marines.   I would be interested in the opinions of other collectors on this site.   Thanks, and Semper Fi.   Bryan.

Seller didn't know where it came from?

General Isaac Rapp Brush Commander of the 40th Infantry Division in The PI. Got the Wide Mesh Net, a Net seen we now used in just about every theater, Has a Hawley Liner too.  

Aloha Everyone,   I concur.   We're the wrong venue for this current events discussion.  There are plenty of websites where anyone can post their observations and opinions on what is happening in the Gulf.     This is not what we do, pure and simple.   I'd advise everyone to stick to Militaria on this site.