Original ARVN Vietnam War Army of the Republic of Vietnam ARVN Rangers ERDL Short Sleeve Uniform Set Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) was the name for all ground forces during the Vietnam War. Army units were organized into four Corps (I through IV), each covering a geographical region of South Vietnam. Primary combat units included eleven Infantry Divisions, one Airborne Division (Nhẩy Dù), the ARVN Rangers (Biệt Động Quân), and the ARVN Special Forces (Lực Lượng Đặc Biệt or LLDB). The Vietnam Air Force and Republic of Vietnam Navy (including the Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps or Thủy Quân Lục Chiến) made up the remainder of the South Vietnamese armed forces. Other combatant units during the Vietnam War included the National Police Field Force and the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) units, the latter composed of minority tribal people, trained by the US Army Special Forces and funded primarily by the CIA (from 1961 until 1970).

Production of military uniforms in South Vietnam was primarily handled by the Quân-Nhu (Quartermaster) Military Clothing Production Center, activated in 1954 and responsible for the manufacture of textiles and complete uniforms for all of the armed forces of South Vietnam.

South Vietnam introduced a leaf camouflage pattern (very similar to the US m1948 ERDL) circa 1964/5, interesting in light of the fact that the US version had still not been mass produced yet.

This “ARVN leaf” or “Airborne leaf” pattern (sometimes referred to as BDQ, for Biệt Ðộng Quân, the Vietnamese Rangers) has the same mid-brown & grass green organic shapes with black “branches” on a lime green background as US m1948 ERDL. The ARVN version was initially printed on medium or heavy weight sateen fabric like this set, but as this faded quickly after a few washings it was later produced in lighter weight cotton poplin (see below). The pattern replaced the earlier “pinks” or “bloodcake” within the Airborne Regiments, and was commonly issued to ARVN Ranger (BDQ) units as well.

Also introduced into ARVN service around 1965, a variation of the US m1948 ERDL pattern much like this one and was exclusively printed on heavy cotton sateen fabric and probably originated in the United States. This set however has very faint Vietnamese Quartermaster stampings present. Tested by the US government in the early 1960s, the design was never adopted and surplus quantities of the fabric were later donated to the South Vietnamese government. The blend of colors, medium brown and olive green organic shapes with black “branches” on a yellowish-green base, had a tendency to blend together at a distance, lending to this pattern the collector’s nickname “invisible ERDL.” A majority of these uniforms were worn by the Vietnamese Rangers or Biệt Ðộng Quân.

This set is the earlier variation with two chest pockets instead of the later four pockets. The shirt has been field modified to having truncated sleeves, which makes sense for a uniform worn in a hot tropical environment. All buttons are present as is the original ink stamp on the inside of the shirt.

The Trousers have all the original buttons and a functional zipper. The only detraction is that the “eye” portion of the hoot and eye fastener at the waist is missing, but this does not detract from the outward appearance of the garment.

A wonderful set of an ARVN Ranger uniform that would be very difficult to upgrade from! Comes more than ready for display!

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 7.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 18″
Waist width: 18.5”
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 27″

Pants waist: 13″
Pants inseam: 27″