Black Uniforms.

[Beau Brummel.]

Hi,

I've had this uniform In my collection for a few years now but have never got round to posting It. I am a lover of black dyed jungle fatigues and the various Japanese contract black garments. It would be nice to see examples In the collections of fellow members If they are happy to show them.

I have based this display EXTREMELY LOOSELY around a prisoner snatch operation mounted by RT Asp Into Laos In 1968. Led by 1/0 Larry Trimble who actually had a set of black fatigues dyed for each team member. As It was an overnight mission they probably went In comparatively light so that's my excuse for the lack of equipment on the torso . Added to which I find these torso's look horribly cluttered If one hangs too much stuff on them. I know I should have taped up the baseball but couldn't bring myself to stick black and nasty all over my lovely grenade. This Is the M67 Felix found at Belters and whilst most likely post war it is stunning!

Hope you lads and lasses like this and as I say I would be very Interested to see more Black kit.

Kindest Regards, Guy.

[Beau Brummel.]

2.

[Beau Brummel.]

3.

[MikeP]

Nothing I hated more than running around looking horribly cluttered.
Guess we were just a bunch of slobs.
Maybe every team needed a fashion advisor.

[filupe]

Nice outfit ... but it looks like you might need longer suspenders ...

[Beau Brummel.]

Eh? I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick Mike!

I was actually referring to when these uniforms are displayed on torso dummies, not when they were being worn In anger.

As I said the display was very loosely based around an actual loadout. If I had hung loads of equipment from the thing then I think It may have detracted from the uniform It's self, which was the thing I was trying to display.

I completely empathise with your point and would hope you wouldn't think I would be so narcissitic as to consider 'look' to be an Important factor when chosing what to carry to stay alive.

To be honest I'm a bit miffed. Thanks for your valuable Input.

Guy.

[Beau Brummel.]

Filupe, you're right I do.

[Patrick Dempsey]

Just as an aside,

I think the webbing issue has taken the focus away from the uniform ( and for what it is worth, i do not for a second imagine Guys initial post was in any way at all meant to convey flippancy or designed to demean and was simply a remark on photo composition).

A casual reader could be forgiven for thinking the entire display is something of an artificial construct from top to bottom. I have something of a fortunate advantage as i know more about the set - there are also matching trousers- than the first posts information imparts.

I hope Guy will forgive this (unsolicited) prompt, but the uniform deserves a fuller description than has been given.

This particular set has a clear, small, traceable line of ownership since it was sourced directly from the veteran and as such it has both provanance and attribution. The uniform itself also has a fascinating story attached to it relating to its inception,use on a specific operation ,and its retirement due to a dreadful realisation of its limitations during wear in combat....

There are very ,very few uniforms of this calibre in UK collections, as an example of the evolution of SF uniforms it has practically no peer over here, although i know of another gold standard example of a differing, iconic type which is breathtaking when viewed that resides here also.

Guy, apologies again for being something of an agent provocateur, and i know you are a private collector when it comes to the core of your collection, but perhaps you could add some further details should you feel inclined?

[Beau Brummel.]

Dear Patrick,

thank you so much for your kind words.

When I started the thread I hadn't Intended It to be a 'look what I've got' type of excercise and was hoping to draw out more pieces of a similar nature. I was worried that by telling all I would be Inviting personal, or criticism of the piece but I see now I may not have gone about things In the best way.

Firstly to Mike P, I apologise unreservedly If you felt I was making light of what is ,after all, a very serious subject. I was simply attempting to Inject a degree of levity and to outline my thought process. As Patrick has pointed out , my comments were directed towards my photo composition and not towards genuine load outs. These dummies look a bit silly If one puts a lot of stuff on them and as I have said that detracts from the uniform. Also they fall over a lot when loaded up .

Larry (Gambler) Trimble Joined Recon Company CCN In 1968 where he served with RT Rattler and RT Asp, the latter as 1/0 after Westerfield Rotated. This set was specifically modified for An RT Asp Prisoner Snatch operation In 1968, Trimble had a set dyed for each team member. They Infiltrated laos at Dusk and set up beside a pre-determined trail to await their target. During the night the the jungle floor began to glow slightly with phosphorescent algae and when Trimble looked around him he was horrified to see 5 perfect black outlines (his other team members). This experience spooked him so badly that the set was not used on Op's again and was relegated to Club or Compound wear.

I hope others find this to be of some Interest.

Yours, Guy.

[kammo man]

All this sounds like when I was called out by a MEMBER for showing FRANK HEIINS flight helmets on uniforms by an angry fellow.
Guy ,
I would let such childish remarks flow down your back like the gin you like to drink .
owen

[gargoyle]

The topic of the thread is "Black Uniforms" and not "SOG Gear" - when I first saw the pictures I was busy picking my jaw from the floor, and when Guy added its story it just made my day. It was only later I noticed the short suspenders

Apart from that:

I have based this display EXTREMELY LOOSELY around a prisoner snatch operation mounted by RT Asp Into Laos In 1968.

Thanks to gentlemen like Guy, those who only got into this area of interest (like myself) can learn more about the rarest of rare uniforms and equipment.

[nguoi tien su]

Guy, the jacket is wonderful and history that comes with it makes it even more valuable.

Researches you made about that jacket should be a source of inspiration for those who own wonderful items and just want to show off, mixing up history with self adoration.
That is too often seen in reenactment photo sessions and private war rooms.

NTS

[kammo man]

Oh god !!!!!!!!!!!

[kammo man]

Hi ,,
Well I now just got home and having finished working on a project can give some time to getting back into the word of on line war fun and collecting.

I have re-read post # 12 and taken a complete and full insult from a member.
To say MY collection is ..............well you can all read what was written ......oh god .......dealing with key board commandos .....its both childish and funny and stupid all at the same time.

Guy ,
I was defending you and blunting the comments on your set up , harking back to an attack I had to endure weeks ago by a known member who by his temperament does not know the meaning of gentlemanly actions.

I also may add it takes many years and foresight to build a collection such as mine along with a deep understanding of Historical context following a set time line and to have it attacked by a fellow collector with a bruised ego is just heart breaking .
Why even post or take time out of ones life to share information ?
Plain and simple sour grapes .

owen
kammoman

[Spikey]

"Researches you made about that jacket should be a source of inspiration for those who own wonderful items and just want to show off, mixing up history with self adoration.
That is too often seen in reenactment photo sessions and private war rooms."

And this is supposed to mean??????