In the very early days of Vietnam, the Marines based in Okinawa would take what little camouflage they could get their hands on, and take it to the local tailors to have shirts made. The Mitchell camo shelters seem to have been more readily available, but there also seems to have been a supply of WW2 & Korea era frogskin, and this shirt is made from the latter.
It draws inspiration heavily from the P53 shirts that would have been widely issued at the time, with two chest pockets, a buttoned cuff and a large pocket inside the left breast. The button are also of the type found on the p53 with the convex shape and four holes. This has all the signs of a shelter shirt, with clear marks on the side pocket where the seams have been unpicked.
Condition
This is in great shape, most of these handmade pieces are usually trashed! The colours of the camo are very strong, and remarkably unfaded! There are a small number of holes in the back that have been stitched up, and one repair done to the underside of the arm, both of these appear to be period.
Size
- No tag but fits modern slim fit medium
- Pit to pit 21"
- Shoulder to shoulder 19"
- Shoulder to cuff 22"
- Collar to hem 27"