Not too long ago I got a collection of stuff from an deceased ASMIC member. This was the first time since 1988 that I bought something from another collector. I usually rely on Vet finds. There are several patches in the collection so I invested in a black light. I am sort of perplexed by the results. I have a first type 45th ID patch made in the 1970's but it does not glow. I have Navy rates that are post WW2 but they do not glow. I have a Marine Raider patch that only the tan boarder glows but the rest does not. I guess the light is not an exact science ? I would like to hear from others about their experience with this technology.

Not too long ago I got a collection of stuff from an deceased ASMIC member. This was the first time since 1988 that I bought something from another collector. I usually rely on Vet finds. There are several patches in the collection so I invested in a black light. I am sort of perplexed by the results. I have a first type 45th ID patch made in the 1970's but it does not glow. I have Navy rates that are post WW2 but they do not glow. I have a Marine Raider patch that only the tan boarder glows but the rest does not. I guess the light is not an exact science ? I would like to hear from others about their experience with this technology.

 

Keep in mind that not all blacklights are equal. I think I posted something about that and I'll try to find it.

Not too long ago I got a collection of stuff from an deceased ASMIC member. This was the first time since 1988 that I bought something from another collector. I usually rely on Vet finds. There are several patches in the collection so I invested in a black light. I am sort of perplexed by the results. I have a first type 45th ID patch made in the 1970's but it does not glow. I have Navy rates that are post WW2 but they do not glow. I have a Marine Raider patch that only the tan boarder glows but the rest does not. I guess the light is not an exact science ? I would like to hear from others about their experience with this technology.

 

From what you have posted, your UV-light seems to work well. A blacklight can be helpfull to differentiate WW II patches from postwar made cloth insignia. In 99% an unworn "glowing" patch was made post WWII. There are of course patches made with rayon (no-glowing) postwar. And of course you'll find modern made patches, that don't glow completely, but parts of the patches do. Unworn WWII patches should NEVER glow.

So it's only one tool (among others like look of the backing, type of border, etc.) to find out, when your patch was made. The Marine Raider patch was probably made postwar, because parts of the patch are glowing. A widely used technique.

The following picture will illustrate it better. The partial glowing patches weren't made during WWII. The no-glowing patches could have be made then, or maybe later, depending on unit, type of the patch's edge etc...

One other twist, a genuine WW2 vintage patch that has been washed CAN glow because of the detergent chemicals.

 

Also, I know from collecting WW2 insignia from other countries that certain wartime dye colours can fluoresce. I'm pretty sure I've seen a similar, but weak, reaction on US patches with yellow or orange. I made that observation in a previous thread and got little, if any, response.

 

There ARE some good discussions around here somewhere though!

 

Regards

Mike

Here's one of the older threads with info on what does and does not glow and why: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=25762

Here's one of the older threads with info on what does and does not glow and why: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=25762

 

 

Thanks B

 

M