North Vietnamese uniform ? Most likely not!

[Kansas Raider]

Hey everybody, can anybody id this uniform?

[Kansas Raider]

here are the pants

[Kansas Raider]

here is the maker stamp on the inside of the pants

[NgDKhang]

Certainly of Vietnamese cut and style. The writing in the stamp looks Vietnamese though it's too blurry for me to read.

The jacket is interesting though, I've never seen a NVA uniform with a name tape, flag attached or the waist adjusters (more of a French looking thing?)

[Kansas Raider]

I will see if I can see anything under a black light on the maker stamp.

[MattS]

Isn't that a Viet Cong/NLF flag?

[Ivydiv]

The NVA had units assigned to the Viet Cong, especially to fill the ranks after Tet 1968. If you look at NVA medals, the ones with the NVA flag in the middle with a red ribbon with yellow stripes were issue to NVA personal. The NVA medals with a red ribbon with blue stripes were given to NVA with Viet Cong units. The half blue / half red ribbons with the VietCong flag in the middle were issued to Viet Cong soldiers. In the case of this uniform, the VC flag looks like it is faded somewhat, but the white name tape looks almost mint condition. As for the stamps, there are a number of reproduction. and fantasy stamps I have seen applied to uniforms and equipment. A translation of the Vietnamese words in the stamp may help to clarify. Dave

[Kansas Raider]

I used a black light on the maker stamp, could not make out anything. Needs to be magnified a little bit. I checked the name tape, the thread used to attached it to the coat glowed. The name tape itself did not glow. So it was added with modern thread. The flag did not glow. It is of 3 piece construction. Would the coat be correct with a outside zipper pocket on the right side near where you button it. You can see it in the photo. I guess a person needs to carry a black light with them at all times. It is being a learning experience

[doyler]

Typically when you see items dressed or badged out with the flag etc its really a ...red flag.Much of this was done post war for the tourist trade.The unit flags,painted pith helmets with flags,painted "Liberation front" cups etc.The NVA/Fake VC stuff is much like the fake Third Riech stuff..... its been on the market for years.

 

So much as its even showing up in vets estate auctions and collections,fleamarkets,antoqie shops,gunshows etc.Many bought reproduction stuff right off ebay to replace items they lost or wanted for nostalgia.

 

I would go further and even say the stamps were added to inhance it.

 

If you are on face book join one of the vietnam collectors pages as there are some really serious collectors and enthusiast from Vietnam who can also clarify whats being faked and for sale in the tourists markets in HCMC

[Kansas Raider]

Thanks everybody for the help. A lesson well learned. If it looks to good to be true, it most likely is. Steve

[jlh]

I agree with what's been stated. Also, the metal D lopps on the trousers and shirt are post war.

[gwb123]

Typically when you see items dressed or badged out with the flag etc its really a ...red flag.Much of this was done post war for the tourist trade.The unit flags,painted pith helmets with flags,painted "Liberation front" cups etc.The NVA/Fake VC stuff is much like the fake Third Riech stuff..... its been on the market for years.

 

So much as its even showing up in vets estate auctions and collections,fleamarkets,antoqie shops,gunshows etc.Many bought reproduction stuff right off ebay to replace items they lost or wanted for nostalgia.

 

I would go further and even say the stamps were added to inhance it.

 

If you are on face book join one of the vietnam collectors pages as there are some really serious collectors and enthusiast from Vietnam who can also clarify whats being faked and for sale in the tourists markets in HCMC

 

Well said, along with the other comments. This stuff just pollutes the collector's market. The NLF made very little use of insignia, and you will find these flags applied post war to everything, including enamel drinking mugs that were probably worth more before they were doctored.