December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 285:
Description
Vietnam War Era Tropical Combat Jacket in the highly sought-after ERDL Engineer Research and Development Laboratory camouflage pattern. The ERDL pattern, often called -Leaf- camo, was first issued to US special operations and reconnaissance units, including Special Forces SF , in Vietnam starting in 1967 before seeing wider use. This early, limited issue and its association with elite units make it a cornerstone of Vietnam War militaria collecting.
The jacket is the classic Fourth Pattern Tropical Combat Uniform, distinguished by its construction, likely made from lightweight, breathable ripstop poplin cotton. The pattern visible is the green-dominant or -Lowland- variant of ERDL, which was the first version fielded. Key design features include the four iconic bellows pockets, with the two chest pockets angled slanted for easier access while wearing webbing or gear, a feature common to the combat jackets used during the war. The cuffs feature a button closure, and the front closes with exposed buttons. The overall condition shows a genuine patina of use, fading, and softening of the fabric, characteristic of a field-worn garment from the Southeast Asian theater.
The value of this piece is greatly enhanced by three primary factors: its ERDL camouflage, the slant pocket configuration identifying it as a Vietnam combat issue uniform , and its historical link to units like SF Special Forces . The jacket is presented as an original, untouched piece of Vietnam history.
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