I have been reading here and there about the question-ability of various insignia, i.e. shoulder boards, and the comment comes up that they are "field" made. What exactly is "field" made, why bother making insignia in the field and, where would one get materials in the field to make insignia?
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Last edited by Tom Pearcy; 05-15-2013, 08:05 AM. -
Tom,
I would call "field made" unit tailor made. I have one such example that I can post a pic of later. Its a tropical PzGrn board that is certainly not factory done. Guy probably wanted a set of trop boards or what not. Matt
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Hello Tom;
field made items were exactly that: made when the issue item(s) were not
available. IMO, virtually all manner of material was used (or altered and reused); I for one, like field made/modified shoulder straps & insignia, over
mint unissued pieces. If you've ever had the opportunity to talk with a
combat veteran, they provide a true picture of what it was like in the field!Comment
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Soldiers can find themselves with a lot of down time and such activities are great time fillers as well as there are examples of when certain insignia was hard to obtain for whatever reason. A lot of field made insignia was made from what was available locally and or older worn out clothes. As others stated, personally I really like field made and modified insignia as it shows actual use and was "there".Originally posted by Tom Pearcy View PostComment
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Also made on the high seas....
..........RonRComment
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Wow. What a great example RonRComment
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The term also is often used to explain why fake items do not look like original pieces. Most original items will be factory made, standard, and conform to regulations. Real field made items will usually use materials from issue items that were modified or captured textiles etc. When buying these items it is best to be very skeptical and discerning unless there is very good evidence (like above with photos etc.). There are very nice items out there but IMO most items described as field made are post War.Comment
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Good point, something to be very aware off when aquiring a field made piece. JOriginally posted by Johnny R View PostComment
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...and of course today there are still "field made" items....I am sure amongst the many serving and ex serving men amongst us here we all know of modified and altered uniform and kit.....using whatever you can beg steal or borrow....its just part of life in the field....always has been and always will be.Comment
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So true! Going to be some stumped collectors if the current issue stuff ever works out to be worth any money... Upgraded rank on my super sun faded cap from Iraq, the skull I drew on the inside of it so I would know its mine, the lining cut out because it was lighter and allowed me to give it a more jaunty pulled forward look.... oh man its going to be hilariousOriginally posted by Rikster View Post
Johnny does bring up a very good point about "field made" items. Some items that are right just speak to you and everything is just right about them. I have a few pieces like that and I am completely confident they are legit pieces but if you are not well veresed in those areas I would be wary and just stick to the factory examples. I'll post 2 pieces in my collection that I reel are 100% period items but some wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. I have said single strap and a M40 cap. I'll be heading home in about an hour or so. Matt
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I am not saying there are not field made items, I have several that I got from Vets and I know they are real etc. I appreciate them more than issue items. I also was a soldier and we changed half of what they issued us to improve it and made things we needed in the field that we could not get. Just becasue we made things, some Vets told me that they made things, or soldiers today make things does not mean that all field made items are original etc.
What I am stressing is- in evaluating non standard or non-issue "field made" insignia items as well as tunics and headgear (especially camo items) collectors need to be very critical. Not doing this often leads to the development of a collection full of odd ball non-standard items that are worthless and more than likely put together post War garbage.
One advantage of collecting a long time is remembering what we used to see 35+ years ago etc. Now that TR items are so much more valuable and issue items cannot be made like war time examples, it has started a cottage industry for making fake improvised insignia and clothing. You saw odd non-standard items in the 70s but not as many. I really started to see more and more in the 80s. This also goes for cut off insignia. You saw it but nothing close to what is out there today. What you did see in the 1970s were boxes full of unused insignia at shows. Easy math to figure out where all that went now.Comment
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Italian PzGrn board
My PzGrn boardComment
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zComment
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Nice, Matt!
Here's a field-made set - bought directly from the Australian veteran.
Regards,
Mark
New ZealandComment
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Love that board Mark! It can come hang out with my field made one any time. The backing gray cloth almost seems Italian like to me but who knows. I still really like my strap and yours is killer as well. I still have that M40 as well, i'll dig out some photos and post it up. Matt
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