BDUs wanted

[C46thVA]

Gentlemen

Ive read the rules regarding the Cache and I don't think this post is out of order at least I hope it isn't. Wouldn't want to attract the wrong kind of attention to myself.

Ive been collecting SF insignia and uniforms since I left the Army. For a long time I focused on the Vietnam period and earlier. However I recently decided to expand the collection to include the post Vietnam era up to and including present day. I hope to be able to put together a traveling museum of sorts to display at public events (airshows etc )

Since the Army has switched to the new duty uniforms I thought that now might be a good time to start collecting BDUs and DCUs. I would prefer to purchase these with the name tapes still attached if possible. However if OPSEC/PERSEC is an issue I understand. Since I view these uniforms as telling a story by whats on them, this only adds to the effect and also helps to personalize the uniform.

Before anyone asks. no I do not parade around in the stuff. I would NEVER denigrate the original owner or myself by doing anything that crass. All of the uniforms in my collection are displayed on torso forms. I am a serious collector and historian, not some goofy wannabe telling whopping yarns at the bar to pick up girls. As a collector I often run into these types and have nothing but contempt for clowns of that ilk.

So if anyone is interested in getting rid of this sort of thing I would be happy to purchase them. I know this sounds corny but the more badges the better. As I said before, each uniform tells a story. A blank set of BDUs doesn't say much by itself. If you feel so inclined a short note with something about the owners service would be even better, after all ,these uniforms will one day have great historical value. Also, I have no intention of selling these items, this is not some sort of scam to make money on ebay. Although I do sell militaria, I never sell out of my collection (much to the chagrin of the little woman).

Thanks in advance and I hope to hear from some of you soon. (hopefully it wont be Team Sergeant or The Reaper tearing me a new one).

JW
PS Been a member here for awhile, mostly just reading and learning
While Im no QP I still try to keep up the Quiet part.

[SilkRider32]

There are a lot of uniforms that meet your requirements being sold on ebay for low prices.

[BravoAlpha]

I'll second that.

However, being that you're a "true collector", beware of imitations on Ebay. There are a lot of cheaply made, imported uniforms to be found. Sometimes a good surplus store is your best bet.

[reservetech]

One thing to note, the ACU uniforms patches/name,U.S. Army tapes are all velcro. Finding the real thing may be a bit tricky, as anyone can simply buy tabs and badges, put them on a uniform, throw them on E-bay, and not have any true history in them. Good luck though.

[C46thVA]

Thanks for the advice. Im pretty savy as far as the world of ebay goes. Usually I can spot stuff thats just been put together for sale. A few good pics of the patches is all it takes. Most sewing machines are not capable of the kind of stitch work found on uniforms sewn at the local tailor shop. Right now Thrift stores are a great place to find badged up BDUs. Yesterday I found one that belonged to a First Shirt in the Old Guard. Ranger tab. CIB 101st combat patch etc etc. a steal at 5 bucks. So starched it would stand up by itself!! Not too long ago I came across a set of Greens belonging to an SF officer. All that was left was the sewn on stuff. Army Special Operations Command combat patch, Special forces and ranger tabs, left shoulder SSI for Pentagon. The guy was HUGE I dont remember what size it is buts its friggin big!!

JW

[gagners]

Originally Posted by C46thVA

Not too long ago I came across a set of Greens belonging to an SF officer. All that was left was the sewn on stuff. Army Special Operations Command combat patch, Special forces and ranger tabs, left shoulder SSI for Pentagon. The guy was HUGE I dont remember what size it is buts its friggin big!!

JW

Did the nametag say "Shelton"?

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by gagners

Did the nametag say "Shelton"?

Never served in USASOC, never wore his SF Tab till he got to SOCOM.

TR

[C46thVA]

As I said only sew-on insignia remained. So the name tag was of course missing. I should have said dress greens. I guess that could have been mistaken for OD greens. Still, its always nice to have some provenance to go with a uniform, my best pieces are all ID'd. I wouldnt be to surprised if the former owners of some of my pieces were known to a few of the QPs on this site.

That being said, TR ( I see you monitor even my paltry threads ) Do you know if any rosters are publicly available for the venerable 77th Grp. ? I have in my possesion a uniform that dates to about 1956 or 57 ( Ike jacket with the old teal and gold airborne tab ) I have a name to go along with it but no way to confirm it. Ive got a copy of the magazine published for the Golden Jubilee and it does contain some partial rosters for the 10th Grp when they departed for Germany but thats the extant of what Ive been able to dig up. Im pretty sure I contacted Steve Sherman with a similar request but if IRC he wasnt aware of any at that time.
Thanks
JW

[The Reaper]

Never heard of any.

TR

[C46thVA]

Thanks anyway Sir, thought it might be worth a try.

JW