I would welcome opinions on this SAS Officers Shirt and if possible any ideas regarding the original owners identity. In the collar area there is an ink marking, perhaps a laundry mark, that says "ML (I?) 53" and lower in the neck area the initials "MY" that are sewn in red cotton. Under the SAS Wings is the ribbon for the Africa Star. Thanks, Clive.
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SAS Officers Shirt
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SAS Officers Shirt
Manufacture TagComment
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SAS Officers Shirt
Possible Laundry or owners Marks in Neck Area.Comment
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SAS Officers Shirt
Owners initials sew in in red cotton.Comment
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SAS Officers Shirt
SAS Wings and Africa Star Ribbon.Comment
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Hello Clive,
From Regimentals circa 2004 I believe?
I didn't like and I still don't like the wings. They strike me as being artificially aged Pakistani made. Also, I wouldn't expect to see this "egyptian style" wing on a 1944 dated shirt, although it is not impossible.
Jack.Comment
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SAS Officers Shirt
Thanks for your comments Jack. You are right, I bought this at one of the Birmingham Arms Fairs. Strangely enough I really like the Wings and see nothing wrong with them. If they are fakes then they are superbly done and excellent quality, but I do not believe that they are. I am tempted to remove them and examine the backing, will have a think about this. Ah, the joy and peril of collecting! Regards, Clive.Comment
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Hello Clive,
I wouldn't remove them quite yet
Let's see what the other have to say.
In all honesty, I have not had a hands on examination of this piece. I have only ever seen photos. I am probably wrong, well at least I hope I am! Crudeness in locally made badges can easily be mistaken for a piece being fake.
Jack.Comment
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I don`t know anything about the wings, but the shirt looks like to good to be true!
I`m almost sure the label is one from a stringvest. Look at the model of the label! It lookes like its been put there yesterday. In my opinion its a put together!
JeroenComment
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Agreed, those pips have the typical ragged edge pointing to multiple applications. The wing has all the attributes of the fakes Jack mentions, also, even for a theatre made piece, it is incredibly sloppy. The dimentions seem rather off too.
Yours, Guy.Comment
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SAS Shirt
Thank you for the comments so far. Regarding the manufacture label it looks good to me. If someone has a similar tan shirt a comparison would be useful. When something looks too good to be true it often is, but not always. Also most people look at an item to see what is wrong with it before they look for what is right. At the moment I still believe that is is a genuine piece, but await further observations. I have taken a better picture of the Wings in natural light, the previous image was taken with a flash. regards, Clive.Comment
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SAS Officers Shirt
Image of Wings taken in natural light.Comment
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Clive, the shirt is fine. One of the Dutch dealers had a s~~t load of these a few years ago. The badge however I maintain is a stinker and these photos actually strengthen that stance. Sorry but thats the way it is. Perhaps Des or one of the other SAS experts might chime in but I suspect they will feel the same.
Yours, Guy.Comment
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SAS Officers Shirt
Thank you Guy for your comments, you may well be right, hence the reason I posted it. Fortunately, or otherwise, SAS material is not my main area of interest however over time you pick the odd piece up. I am confident with some documentation I have and will post some more in the future. It would be helpful if someone could post images of the copy-reproduction pattern of Wing on this shirt. If it is a fake I still think it is very well made. I have a couple of SAS Berets and will post them as well soon and wait to be shot down by friendly fire! All the best, Clive.Comment
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