Who Wants To See Something Cool...?

[SteyrAUG]

OK, I'm on board. Very cool.

It looks like it's been around for a while, judging by the cracking on the leather edging. Was it a family member's, Steyr?

Nothing like that. Just finally found a real one after wading through a sea of fakes on the collectors market.

[Hank6046]

Despite the fact that I had still not entered Junior High yet, the CIA came to the realization that only a covert team of American elementary school children could pass themselves off as indigenous personal for exceptionally deep cover operations in enemy territory. After all we were of the same height and weight of the average North Vietnamese and we knew some of that "ninja" shit.

So they gave us the typical GLG20 POI, sprayed us down with dark copper tan and folded us in with RT Steven Segal assigned to the 10th and dropped us in. We were technically the youngest green berets in US history but our classified status meant that all of our accomplishments and mission details would never be officially recognized.

You are the team that sank Atlantis, only after a rogue Soviet General named Dr. Zorg tried to resurrect it to take over the world, or is that supposed to be hush hush......

Cool cover, I bet that will get you a beer at any VFW in the country

[sevenhelmet]

Nothing like that. Just finally found a real one after wading through a sea of fakes on the collectors market.

Wow. Who would sell something like that? I'd want to keep it in the family.

[trackmagic]

Despite the fact that I had still not entered Junior High yet, the CIA came to the realization that only a covert team of American elementary school children could pass themselves off as indigenous personal for exceptionally deep cover operations in enemy territory. After all we were of the same height and weight of the average North Vietnamese and we knew some of that "ninja" shit.

So they gave us the typical GLG20 POI, sprayed us down with dark copper tan and folded us in with RT Steven Segal assigned to the 10th and dropped us in. We were technically the youngest green berets in US history but our classified status meant that all of our accomplishments and mission details would never be officially recognized.

I'm pretty sure you weren't supposed to talk about this.

[Moose-Knuckle]

Nothing like that. Just finally found a real one after wading through a sea of fakes on the collectors market.

What is the going rate for the real McCoy?

I have one that has "ARMY PROPERTY 1971" on the inside. No insignia, however it has an embroiled triangle where one was once sewn on. Anyone know of any SF groups from the 70's that had a triangular unit patch?

[SteyrAUG]

Cool cover, I bet that will get you a beer at any VFW in the country

Pretty sure I could never actually wear it.

Wow. Who would sell something like that? I'd want to keep it in the family.

Hard to say. We've all seen jackasses on Pawn Stars sell their family relics to take the money to the Casino. Sometimes people just die with no heirs and there is an estate sale. I'm hoping it's the latter.

What is the going rate for the real McCoy?

I have one that has "ARMY PROPERTY 1971" on the inside. No insignia, however it has an embroiled triangle where one was once sewn on. Anyone know of any SF groups from the 70's that had a triangular unit patch?

Got pics? Values are all over the place and very much unit and theater dependent.

[SteyrAUG]

I'm pretty sure you weren't supposed to talk about this.

Well some asshole already wrote a book "Operation Children's Crusade" so a few of us had to come out and set the record straight. For starters that assclown Jesse Ventura was NOT on operations with us despite his claims to the contrary. He was too damn old to be part of our unit having been born in 1951.

Even our S2 (Segal) was too old for actual ops, again despite his claims to the contrary, and it was only when Lt. Neidermeyer was killed that Segal assumed the position as S2.

[Averageman]

Despite the fact that I had still not entered Junior High yet, the CIA came to the realization that only a covert team of American elementary school children could pass themselves off as indigenous personal for exceptionally deep cover operations in enemy territory. After all we were of the same height and weight of the average North Vietnamese and we knew some of that "ninja" shit.

So they gave us the typical GLG20 POI, sprayed us down with dark copper tan and folded us in with RT Steven Segal assigned to the 10th and dropped us in. We were technically the youngest green berets in US history but our classified status meant that all of our accomplishments and mission details would never be officially recognized.

When I was a Teacher (it was well known in our small town that I was a military retiree) one of my students asked me if I was a Viet Nam vet. Now at the time when the Viet Nam war ended I was fourteen. I was a bit surprised that the average student had no idea of U.S. History so I thought I was being "shined on". I answered (of course with a straight face) Yes, I was the only 9 year old tunnel rat in Viet Nam. I could only serve in the summer as I had to be back for school in August and that I kept my grenades in my lunch box as I traveled through the tunnels with my flashlight and .45. Due to my small size however I was very successful and had traveled through many bunkers and tunnels killing a lot of VC along the way.
Honestly, I expected the kid to laugh out loud at my outrageous story, but actually had to set him straight before it was over.
Months later I was introduced to this Students Mother as I had to tell him to :Shut his Pie Hole" during class.She didn't like the whole "pie hole" thing, but I'm sure he is doing well supporting her and his three kids with a GED and minimum wage.

[26 Inf]

I'm sure you already know this, but just in case, that is a 10th Group Flash.

The berets, as issued, have a lining which is almost always immediately cut out. The beret is then wet formed to fit the wearer. Usually when you see a guy with a beret that looks 'puffy' it will be an officer, or senior enlisted, that hasn't cut the lining out or formed it because that isn't the way it was issued.

Personally other than distinctive unit headwear, IMO the beret doesn't have much utility value. When we were in the field we wore soft caps or helmets.

Although I did not wear a beret well, I looked like a cross between PePe Le Pew and Chef Boyardee, it nonetheless has a high CDIF. Sans beret I'm a good solid 6, my experience is if you get to wear it around a leg post, you jump at least 3 points.

I am also prepared to give instruction on the starching of Marine Corps utility covers.

[SteyrAUG]

I'm sure you already know this, but just in case, that is a 10th Group Flash.

The berets, as issued, have a lining which is almost always immediately cut out. The beret is then wet formed to fit the wearer. Usually when you see a guy with a beret that looks 'puffy' it will be an officer, or senior enlisted, that hasn't cut the lining out or formed it because that isn't the way it was issued.

Personally other than distinctive unit headwear, IMO the beret doesn't have much utility value. When we were in the field we wore soft caps or helmets.

Although I did not wear a beret well, I looked like a cross between PePe Le Pew and Chef Boyardee, it nonetheless has a high CDIF. Sans beret I'm a good solid 6, my experience is if you get to wear it around a leg post, you jump at least 3 points.

I am also prepared to give instruction on the starching of Marine Corps utility covers.

I'm familiar with the wet and shave process to fit berets. Didn't know about removing liners, that would explain why the liner on this example is missing. I did know it was a 10th Flash, I also knew that the only guys who actually wear berets in combat are the SAS.

But as a little kid I saw that John Wayne movie and I've wanted one ever since. Sadly the only thing faked as often as Third Reich militaria is Vietnam era Special Forces / MAV-V SOG stuff. Even worse, the vast majority of it is manufactured by the same communist Vietnam we went to war with. The rest of the green berets are "put togethers" where somebody has simply gotten a military issue Green Beret (new) and either genuine or reproduction flash / badges and assembled. Sometimes efforts are made to artificially age the item, other times they are simply offered as "mint condition / incredibly well preserved."

Obviously very few people who earned a Green Beret decide to sell it on the internet so legit examples (especially period items from the Vietnam era) only come along so often. And it isn't even a case of "you get what you pay for." I've seen absolute 100% fakes sell for $250-450 and I've seen other collectors score legit examples for as low as $30. You have to really know what you are looking at. Determining fakes is getting easier, it's much harder to verify genuine examples. There really wasn't a lot of standardization or strict conformity when it came to this stuff (especially early 60s special forces items) and for every rule there were 10 exceptions.

Ironically the WWII stuff is much easier to verify when it comes to US gear. Of course there isn't a lot of money to be made faking that stuff.