bad beret

[Chopperman]

Lesson learned, buy the item--not the story.

I've been trying to add a few VN items to my collection to use as
props for an upcoming photo shoot. I was at the St.Paul military show
this last weekend and came upon a 5th SF beret that would make a great
photo prop. The price was right and the well known and supposed trusted
dealer said it was part of a collection bought from a respected Vietnam collector.

I have not until now ever really studied berets. So I get home and strart
really looking at my new treasure and notice a few things. The beret is made
buy a commercial hat company and could be of the right age.. It is not military marked.
The band is vinyl, not leather. There are no vent holes and no reinforcement for the flash.
So while it still makes a good photo prop, it is not a military issue hat. At best
it is a PX bought piece however it could also be someones home craft project.

[CBH]

Interesting that it has French Jump Wings in the logo.
I once read that US SF sometimes used Canadian green berets, any truths to that.

[Chopperman]

Yes, From what I have read in the last week, Canadian made berets
are accepted as original VN era pieces. I don't know the details as I'm just
learning.

[Anderson]

Toronto marked berets were used. Not familiar with that "Para" maker though. Not every head looks good in a beret. "Duke" did.

[Jerry B]

as far as UK berets go, vinyl bands were the norm in the 60's, so it could well be period and a private purchase example as that was commonly done and the French were in Nam early on and their berets were a popular item. The members of the IDF bought lots of French para berets in the 70's, and though not exactly the same there is some precedent that might explain this beret to have been used in Nam. Though of course it could be a put together job.

[Chopperman]

Thank you.
I try to use only original items in any of my knife photos.
The fact that there is a slight possibility that this beret is good
will keep it out of the trash bin for now. Sometimes finding original
props has been more of a challenge than finding the the main subject.

Fighting Knives & Daggers

[Chopperman]

I felt so bad posting one of my knife pictures with a questionable beret,
that I had to go out and find a proper one to ease my guilt.

This one checks all the boxes.
It is a genuine military issue with a early date code.
It has the proper D22 marked unit crest. It has the correct leather sweat
band, vent hole rivets and reinforced stiffener of the patch and dui.

Thanks to Gunny for helping me with this. I appreciate it a lot.

[Phill Lockett]

Giddday Chopper

About a 18 months ago I started a collection of Ranger (1974-2018) SF Beret Flash/DUI/Ovals (USSOCOM) from 1987 to 2018. As you do you pick up the odd Vietnam era SF Flash and DUI.
Because DUI are not a strong suite , Id always wondered what the hallmark on a Vietnam era SF DUI should be , as all the DUI I had were marked Danmark D-22, now to me that didn't gel for a Vietnam era DUI.
Just by luck I came across http://www.wartimecollectables.com/h...-insignia.html which dated D-22 post 1974 to present.
That still did not solve my problem "what would a Vietnam era SF DUI look like."
Well as events unfolded an ex NZ/British SAS 30 year veteran and collector had his American badge collection for Auction (several items WWII-1990 emphasis on Vietnam era-1980), which I duly won(albeit the images were poor).
This answered my question. There were 6 SF DUI, he had collected/traded them from guys he had worked with (Vietnam era), there were no D-22.

Note embroidered on Khaki twill second pattern early issued 1964/65
Attachment 1319761

standard Vietnam era Flash embroidered on white twill and DUI
Attachment 1319762 Attachment 1319763

While I cannot say for certain that D-22 were being issued during the latter stages, the Vietnam war officially ended in 1975 and SF would of had berets from the early 70's worn to the mid 70's and onwards. D-22 can range from 1974 to present or when Danmark ceased trading.

Now the beret I don't know if it is Vietnam era unless you can get solid provenance.

Can you ID the date code? I can't make it out on your image.

cheers

Phill

[Chopperman]

Hi Phil,
The date code is DSA 1-8359 which I believe means it dates between
7-1-64 / 6-31-65.

[Phill Lockett]

Gidday Chopper

Yes that makes sense. I know they changed it a few times over the years.

Not sure on the DUI me thinks its later.

Could you get anymore provenance?

Phill