US Army Special Forces ERDL Pants - Vietnam War -
Originally developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Laboratory (ERDL) in 1948, this camouflage
pattern was issued to U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam.
It was first employed by Army special units (February 1967). The same pattern was then issued to all U.S. Marines
(1968–69).
The ERDL camouflage pattern is a four-colour design, comprising large brown and medium green swathes, and smaller
black 'branches'. There were two styles:
- on a light-coloured background. Also known as 'highland' ERDL camouflage, this so-called 'brown'
pattern has a light brown background colour, which was presumably intended for use in mountainous and arid terrains.
- the 'lime' or 'lowland' pattern — has a green background, and was probably intended for use in
forest environments. However, the American quartermasters issued the same stock number for both versions.
Also known as 'leaf pattern', examples of both 'lowlands' and 'highlands' ERDL camouflage were shipped to the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, where they inspired the tritsvetnaya kamuflirovannaya odezhda (abbrev. TTsKO)
family of camouflage uniforms.
In the United States, too, the original ERDL pattern continued to evolve. Its most recent evolution was the U.S.
woodland camouflage pattern, which was introduced, in 1981, with the new Battle Dress Uniforms (abbrev. BDU).
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This page is a recognition and identification guide for special forces militaria
Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point
out clearly defined areas that should be noted.
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of the American special forces militaria in the collector's market is illustrated.
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This Vietnam War US military collectible may be currently
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other vietnam war Special Forces collectibles, you can do so by
going to our
Vietnam War Special Forces Collectibles Price Guide.
Where we cover items from the Army, Navy, Army Air Force and other organizations.
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