ARVN Uniforms on Manions...

[thefallenbuddha]

I was originally told about these uniforms from someone who is more informed than I am on matters of originality, and after viewing the items, I decided to open a thread about them.

Please see this link:

http://www.manions.com/catpages/item...newtoday~false

After looking at these items in detail, I unfortunately had to agree they all appeared questionable. None of them look good to me. On some of the uniforms, some of the insignia looks like it may be original (in and of itself, apart from the uniform), but the majority of the insignia on the uniforms looks false, and considering this with the notion that the person who faked the uniforms had at least a basic idea of how an ARVN uniform could be patched, i.e. the faker new what he/she was doing, it just makes the whole lot appear negatively in terms of originality.

I feel these are the "better" attempts at making fake items (as opposed to the standard fakes on Ebay each week), though they still are able to be differentiated from original items. I think these are good examples that fakers make false items of everything, not just SF or Marine items, but even navy dress uniforms and regular infantry pieces.

I am curious to hear if you all have seen these as well, and would like to hear your thoughts.

[DiGilio]

They all look like crap to me. Some do look like a better than average attempt but I still dont think they would fool anybody who really knew about collecting ARVN uniforms. There must be an ARVN collector that gives Manions stuff because there is often ARVN ID cards or something ARVN related for sale. Its scary that people paid the prices they did for these uniforms.

[thefallenbuddha]

.... Its scary that people paid the prices they did for these uniforms.

Yes, I agree. I think people are buying the Manions name, assuming the items would be original considering they're from a prominent militaria auction house.

Honestly, I was surprised when I saw some of the closing prices, which is why I thought I'd start a thread on the topic...if nothing else than to better educate collectors who are interested in collecting ARVN uniforms, and would have purchased items such as these.

The uniforms listed are fairly easy to detect as fakes for those who are familiar with the field. But, I did feel they looked a little better than the average newly made pieces on Ebay, and the sheer variety was also interesting...everything from Armor to National Field Police.

[Beezman]

The best clues are the nametapes, totally embroidered in the 2000s.

And he was stupid enough to list his surplus tapes:
http://www.manions.com/bid/bid.aspx~...5~pic~20100218



Only two uniforms seemed to have original nametapes.

This one was all original in my opinion, but incomplete:

http://www.manions.com/bid/bid.aspx~...clist~564-6317

[thefallenbuddha]

The best clues are the nametapes, totally embroidered in the 2000s.

And he was stupid enough to list his surplus tapes:
http://www.manions.com/bid/bid.aspx~...5~pic~20100218

I hadn't seen the nametapes lot, that is too funny.

Also, I agree the 5th Division, 8th Regiment, shirt looks interesting on it's own, but (I may be too cautious) since it's listed with a large grouping of false items, guilt by association would seem to damage its chances of authenticity.

[Satcong101]

Just to see such a concentration of 'badged' ARVN uniforms makes me very suspicious in the first place, let alone before I even take a close look

Seeing several badged tigers is always a bad sign in even my limited experience!

[hochiminhtrail]

i bought the 5th inf division, not because of the patches wich i think are post war added, but for the blank name tape and the red unit patch above,

i think tho that some shirt are original, but most patches on them have been added, the best clue are the name tapes.

i will show the shirt as soon as i got it, and we can all discuss what patches should be removed, it s going to be like online operation on sick patient

cheers

Alex

I hadn't seen the nametapes lot, that is too funny.

Also, I agree the 5th Division, 8th Regiment, shirt looks interesting on it's own, but (I may be too cautious) since it's listed with a large grouping of false items, guilt by association would seem to damage its chances of authenticity.

[Satcong101]

Hi Alex, that was my thought also, worth buying some of the uniforms alone, but once home I'd strip off the postwar added insignia which should be fairly easy to spot which one's when looking at the reverse of them I would imagine.
I think you got the best one out of that lot.

[hochiminhtrail]

for those who are familiar with vietnamese names, the name tapes on beezman links, are mostly street names from saigon, mostly hitorical names, of emperors ect... he basicaly just copied a street names list either from saigon or hanoi.

heng gap lai

Alex

[hochiminhtrail]

yeh i took a chance on the look for the holy grail shirts,
you are alleready in heaven Simon, with your nice sets.

alex

[Satcong101]

Yes Alex, getting blank un-badged uniforms is pretty easy. It's finding original badged shirts that's near on impossible!
That's what's so laughable about this auction site, every uniform is badged to the max! How impossible is that! Yes some of the insignia is original, but to just stitch them on and expect to fool collectors when it's so obvious that they've been added is plain crazy! Mind you they've been doing that for decades with every uniform imaginable for every war in history.

I do certainly think the 5th Div is a good bet, just enhanced a little maybe.

[nguoi tien su]

From behind the desk the SD5BB looks totally legit. It has all you can expect on it, mid/late war. I hope you will have great news Alex.
A "name tag" has been removed on the right, but that could be a previous training number.

As for the others, they were mostly following the same pattern. And as previously said the name tags were just ridiculous, subdued or black & white.

[hochiminhtrail]

from what i understood, these uniforms were not made to fool collectors, i heard it s a collection, and the guy didnt take it too seriously about repatching his uniforms, dont forget every body has a different idea how to collect, it s not like us here on the forum , we are almost like crusaders when it comes to patched und untouched Arvn shirts, at least the are some other nice bits and pieces in this collection.

Alex

[kammo man]

I like all off them .


To wear to Disney land !!!!

owen

[Satcong101]

LOL