| The collecting of military patches has become a | | | | require the embroiderer to move the fabric so that it is |
| popular hobby in the last few decades. Some people | | | | over-sewed many times with ordinary stitches. The |
| collect because they were in the military, and some | | | | Vietnamese-made patches sewn in this way are |
| because they are curious about the military or a | | | | rather crude. The method is unsuitable when fine detail |
| certain war. If you are going to start collecting or have | | | | or heavier weight of work is required. |
| already, it is important to know how the patches are | | | | Philippine patches are better made and continue to be |
| made and how to tell a real one from a fake one. | | | | produced. An experienced American collector once |
| Over the years, US Army insignia has been produced | | | | stated that he had a contact in Manila who could |
| using a variety of machine embroidery techniques. | | | | make a perfect copy of any badge you could name. |
| Some are very old and all have characteristic features. | | | | Valuable and rare privately-made Vietnam era badges |
| The first work was done in the United States in the | | | | could therefore be faked. Ageing can be achieved by |
| late 1880s, on 107 class trade or Irish swing-needle | | | | an overnight soaking in coffee of a dilute soft drink and |
| machines. Domestic machines were also used and | | | | a little distressing. Stone-washed designer jeans get |
| these techniques are still employed by other countries | | | | much the same treatment. |
| who embroider patches, with great skill and artistry. | | | | The Japanese and Taiwanese also produced patches |
| From World War II to the late 1950s, the US Army | | | | and insignia during the Vietnam War and their quality is |
| wore tunics and jackets in a color generally called | | | | superior to any Far Eastern work. The only way a |
| khaki. The official name of this color was Olive Drab | | | | fake patch handmade in the Far East can be identified |
| Shade No 33 or No 51, and there was a lighter color | | | | with certainty is to examine its origins and likely |
| Khaki, Army Shade No 1. Shoulder patches from this | | | | availability. Where only a few hundred were produced |
| period have either a narrow tan or pale khaki edge, or | | | | and worn in Vietnam or Korea the chances of a real |
| no visible edge at all. | | | | badge coming onto the market are rare. |
| In 1957 the introduction of new Army Green Uniform | | | | The real problem arises with World War II, Korean or |
| saw the move to patches with a dark green edge. By | | | | Vietnam War patches which are collectable if they are |
| the mid-1960s the characteristic feature of | | | | locally made. A good modern handmade copy looks |
| machine-made badges was the merrowed edge. This | | | | like the real thing. Pakistan has an |
| is a solid band of chain stitching which stands proud of | | | | internationally-respected reputation for its gold and |
| the badge and which ends in a "tail" of thread which is | | | | silver thread work; World War II badges like the China, |
| normally stuck to the back of the badge. The edge | | | | India and Burma "Flying Tigers," can be faked and are |
| helps to protect the material and prevent fraying. | | | | so collectible and attractive that they still command |
| Based on this information, a World War II badge which | | | | good prices. When there is no pretence at faking, |
| has a merrowed edge is a modern copy. The problem | | | | many veterans are proud to wear a top-quality gold |
| with copies and fakes is where badges are produced | | | | and silver thread version of their divisional patch on a |
| locally by small-scale operations. During World War II | | | | blazer or jacket. |
| the British produced equipment and clothing as well as | | | | Where patches have been unstitched from a shirt or |
| badges for the US Army. Singer machines which could | | | | jacket the threads often remain. Though these could |
| produce variable satin stitches and straight filling | | | | be faked, this is a relatively reliable and quick way of |
| stitches were used. Some overseas copies of US | | | | checking if the badge is authentic and has been worn |
| badges are recognizable by the use of colored cloth in | | | | on clothing. Many patches are manufactured, but never |
| the construction of the badge to save thread. In early | | | | issued, and though they are good representations of |
| designs this was with felts, but in the Far East silks | | | | insignia, they went straight from the workshop to the |
| have become popular. | | | | dealer, never stopping on a uniform en route. Another |
| Patches produced for US servicemen in Korea, | | | | quick check is the starch and wear on the badge. |
| Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines have a unique | | | | Since many have been worn on fatigue shirts the |
| charm of their own. As a rough guide, the Thai-made | | | | starch has entered the fabric, and they may even |
| patches are the finest, using small panels of matched | | | | retain the crease from the sleeve. In addition, the |
| silk to make up the background colors. The least well | | | | effects of sunshine and rain will bleach out the color in |
| finished are the Vietnamese-made, they were often | | | | a patch that has seen service. Locally made insignia |
| put together on a domestic sewing machine. The | | | | from Vietnam are particularly prone to fading. |
| problem with this is that finer detail must be done by | | | | I hope this information helps you along your military |
| hand. Conventional sewing machine-made patches | | | | patch collecting journey. |