USMC PACIFIC THEATRE CAMO SHIRT "HELP"

Hi all
i was offered this camo shirt which im told is original so im here asking the experts, asking price is around £250 british pounds. Do i purchase or not ? im looking for an investment for the future
Thanks

Dean

 

hi dean, sounds top end of market value, long term investment? cant see it...again! hope brad can chip in here, ray..

 

Apparently it's almost impossible to tell the difference between originals and good repros. This thread might help some;

P1942 USMC Camo Jacket - U.S. Militaria Forum

Couldn't find any prices on an original yet, they seem very rare, but good repros go for about $200-250+ so price doesn't sound so bad.

The general opinion online seems to be stay away unless you are almost absolutely sure of the provenance.

 

that about sums it up nigel, good advice .

 

From the pics i can see the rusting and staining of the buttons on the camo, does that mean anything at all can that be faked, Also if it is real is that a good price
Regards
Dean

 

dean! nothing is sacred, all and everything can be replicated, and is!! rust, wear, age, a lot of chemicals are used to fool, and trick, it's not that easy to know, but only to someone who really has good knowledge, that is the problem..pics help? but seeing it? can offer more idea of the item ...

 

Always the problem with bidding on an item abroad, i know there rare but its not cheap , sometimes u have to take i chance i guess

 

Rust is one of the easier things to fake - stick it in a locker on a sailboat for a winter for example and it'll rust just like that.

Not been able to find a real one for sale yet, but compared to the repro prices it seems like a good deal, but if for resale it is only worth it if you are able to convince future buyers that it is kosher.

Perhaps you could compare it to real ones in a museum near you? (obviously they may have fakes too, so be careful)

IMHO it is a 'minefield' item for investment.

Hopefully a proper expert will jump on soon and give you real advice

Just spotted that the fabric on the arms looks different weave to the body, so if the guys on that link i posted further up are right, it isn't real - look close and see if you agree. It's hard to be sure from those pics.

 

ask him if he allows a seven day inspection? or if not totally satisfied, and not as described? 100% original, your money back...

 

WWII US Military Uniform Price Guide - MilitaryItems.com

this is pretty useful...click on item and scroll down for past and current value estimation, hope this helps dean...

 

Nice link Ray, will bookmark that one - again hard to be sure from pics but the stitching on their example seems a lot different and simpler looking.

 

thanks nigel, it's hard to find any selling though!..for a comparison..

 

Part of what makes military clothing desireable is the information that is attched to it: Rank insignia, names, unit insignia etc. This shirt presents none of that. For close to $500.00 (US) I would expect to see : USMC w/ EGA on the left breast pocket, Name Stenciled on the back, rank stenciled on the sleeve and this has none of that.

The absence of the breast pockets is what makes it most concerning. It would not be unheard of for a soldier or airman to "aquire" one of these jackets, remove the pockets with EGA, and adapt it for their personal use.

I would not buy it for $500.00 (US). $75-$100 maybe if I had a line on replacement pockets and it would fit me. It just doesn't have the "WOW" factor.

 

I totally agree thanks guys i now see the light