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    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    filo1712
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    filo1712
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    • Post n°1

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    Post by filo1712 Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:43 pm

    Hi all
    I have been collecting us militaria for the past 20 years at least,until a couple of years ago as I was collecting Vietnam war era related militaria I could have considered myself to have learned a lot about the subject and about what at that time US SF personnel wore as equipments and uniforms.
    Since then I moved to modern era American militaria and that's where the problem begins to rise.
    I would like to recreate a couple of SF personnel uniforms and equipments,let's say one around beginning of 2000s the other one more recent,but while for the uniforms things appear not to be so difficult,for what concerns equipments I am starting to realize it's a kind of nightmare.....
    Too many things,too many special corps (SF Seal USMC ranger etcetc)too many things that could have been selected from a single individual or a single unit....a complete nightmare.
    So,if you cannot get the items directly from a vet,how do you know what to look for in order to avoid items that could have been used for example by contractors or by some Reenactor/soft air player?
    I guess for example that turning to some dedicated suppliers/producers could be a good idea.
    Any other suggestion?where to look for these kind of informations?
    I surf the net looking for original pictures of SF personnel,although if the source is not 100% sure it is quite difficult to tell the difference between an original picture and a very dedicated Reenactor.
    Thank you all in advance for any information and suggestion!
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    Static line
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    • Post n°2

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty Re: How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    Post by Static line Wed Oct 21, 2015 3:25 pm

    I was going to suggest militaryphotos.net, but apparently the site closed earlier this year.
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    Nkomo
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    • Post n°3

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty Re: How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    Post by Nkomo Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:45 pm

    filo1712 wrote:Hi all
    I have been collecting us militaria for the past 20 years at least,until a couple of years ago as I was collecting Vietnam war era related militaria I could have considered myself to have learned a lot about the subject and about what at that time US SF personnel wore as equipments and uniforms.
    Since then I moved to modern era American militaria and that's where the problem begins to rise.
    I would like to recreate a couple of SF personnel uniforms and equipments,let's say one around beginning of 2000s the other one more recent,but while for the uniforms things appear not to be so difficult,for what concerns equipments I am starting to realize it's a kind of nightmare.....
    Too many things,too many special corps (SF Seal USMC ranger etcetc)too many things that could have been selected from a single individual or a single unit....a complete nightmare.
    So,if you cannot get the items directly from a vet,how do you know what to look for in order to avoid items that could have been used for example by contractors or by some Reenactor/soft air player?
    I guess for example that turning to some dedicated suppliers/producers could be a good idea.
    Any other suggestion?where to look for these kind of informations?
    I surf the net looking for original pictures of SF personnel,although if the source is not 100% sure it is quite difficult to tell the difference between an original picture and a very dedicated Reenactor.
    Thank you all in advance for any information and suggestion!

    And you have perfectly summed why collecting modern SF items is so damned difficult. With the reeanctor and airsoft crowd wanting to do an impression, it is impossible to tell 100% if something is SF used or something made up for a "tactical" by an airsofter.

    I know a lot of collectors won't buy an item if they can't find a picture of it in use with USSF. That is a great philosophy and it is always great to have a confirmation that the item was indeed SF used. HOWEVER......not all pictures of the SF guys have been released yet and probably won't be for many years to come. I have SF used equipment in my collection that I know 100% were SF used, but there are no pics of them in use yet. I personally don't get too hung up on the "no picture" argument.
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    RedLegGI
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    • Post n°4

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty Re: How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    Post by RedLegGI Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:59 pm



     And you have perfectly summed why collecting modern SF items is so damned difficult.  With the reeanctor and airsoft crowd wanting to do an impression, it is impossible to tell 100% if something is SF used or something made up for a "tactical" by an airsofter.

     I know a lot of collectors won't buy an item if they can't find a picture of it in use with USSF.  That is a great philosophy and it is always great to have a confirmation that the item was indeed SF used.  HOWEVER......not all pictures of the SF guys have been released yet and probably won't be for many years to come.  I have SF used equipment in my collection that I know 100% were SF used, but there are no pics of them in use yet.  I personally don't get too hung up on the "no picture" argument.      [/quote]


    If I'm unsure I ask an expert on items. Ebay tends to have some really awesome shit show up and it flies under the radar. Its going to be a continuing problem with the airsoft crowd doing impressions, making uniforms or using authentic uniforms for their impression. Some items you can get an idea by the date on the item because ONLY was used by SF. At the same time some of the helmets will be re-used because they've become standard. You'll find experts here that will help if they know
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    Mercenary25
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    • Post n°5

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty Re: How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    Post by Mercenary25 Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:47 pm

    From my experience, it takes time to get all knowledge. Because unlike to any conflicts, GWOT has diversity of tactical gear and uniforms, it can get confusing at beginning.

    So my suggestion for you: find few reference photos from certain period and certain unit, then post photo on this forum, we can ID uniform and equipment for you so you would know what to search for. Eventually you will pick up knowledge.

    Yes. Airsoft is THE problem. We all are struggling with it.
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    filo1712
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    • Post n°6

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty Re: How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

    Post by filo1712 Fri Oct 23, 2015 5:20 pm

    thank you all for the answers and suggestions.
    In the end,as Mercenary25 correctly writes,knowledge is what makes always the difference.
    For sure i am going to study,post pics and ask questions to you member of this nice gang!

    @Nkomo I saw on another forum a lot of pics of the great items you have been able to collect.
    Probably one more difficulty for me (since I am living in Italy)is that the only way I can find something is searching E@@Y or in the for sale section of this Forum.I wish I could visit on a somehow regular basis some thrift stores or yard sales in the States,that for sure would help a lot.
    I was bidding this week on a old style holster for a large frame weapon,well the auction finished with a bid war,I am happy in the end that there was someone else who made a bid higher than mine,and mine was IMHO already way too high....
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    • Post n°7

    How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such? Empty Re: How do you collect SF related items and how do you positively identify them as such?

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