Strange tiger-stripe uniform with Portugese tags??????

An acquaintance of mine sent me pictures of this uniform. He says they may have been made for the FDN Contras in Nicaragua. Another possiblity is that they may have been made in a foreign country for use in the Vietnam War (possibly made in Macau). Also, someone mentioned an early Tawain Marine tiger stripe set.

NOW.....the pants have a very odd tag in them. They have a 100% Cotton label in Portugese and a size M in the pants. The guy tells me he picked them up from a CSM in Alaska who was getting rid of some stuff.

Any idea on this uniform guys? Looking at it, it looks very used and looks military to me.

I would have said possibly early Ecuadorian - but the CIA fact file tells me they speak Spanish, not Portuguese there. Any chance of getting a pic of the Portuguese tag??

For some reason I'm thinking more South American than Asian - Wikipedia states that although Portuguese is the official language in only one South American country (Brazil), in actuality, half the continent speaks it ...

filupe wrote:I would have said possibly early Ecuadorian - but the CIA fact file tells me they speak Spanish, not Portuguese there. Any chance of getting a pic of the Portuguese tag??

For some reason I'm thinking more South American than Asian - Wikipedia states that although Portuguese is the official language in only one South American country (Brazil), in actuality, half the continent speaks it ...

Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the tag. The set is on the way to my house as we speak. I should have it within a week and I'll post more pics then.

It doesn't match any known patterns from Brazil. As far as I know, Brazil never used a tiger-stripe camouflage. Neither did Portugal.

Maybe it's from Portugal?
Andrew

AndrewA74 wrote:Maybe it's from Portugal?
Andrew

Portugal never used a tiger-stripe pattern. That is why it is such an enigma.
Arch

Didn't the contras just wear fatigues or woodland?

If Portuguese manufacture kind of limited to Brazil, Angola, Portugal, Mozambique or GOA isn't it?

Chris

Actually....the Contras wore several different kinds of uniforms ranging from woodland, khakis, green fatigues, blue coveralls/overalls made by Dickies and Sears, tiger-stripes, and even an odd duck-hunter. They wore whatever uniforms they could get their hands on.

The Portugese tags are really what throw me off on this set. I am unaware of any tiger-stripes being used by Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Portugal, or any other Portugese speaking country.

Interestingly enough.....the straps on the lower sleeve are common on Cuban uniforms. BUT.......it has no shoulder straps. This uniform is a real mystery.
Arch

My guess is that it's one of many commercially produced uniforms that found its way into the hands of this or that group. Country of origin doesn't necessarily mean anything, since rebel groups tend to buy from whomever is selling at a price they can afford.

Steve

CollectinSteve wrote:My guess is that it's one of many commercially produced uniforms that found its way into the hands of this or that group. Country of origin doesn't necessarily mean anything, since rebel groups tend to buy from whomever is selling at a price they can afford.

Steve

Kind of what I figured. Thanks for everyone's input!
Arch

Usually black, shiny buttons are a sign of something commercial. Usually But there is the problem... rebel groups more often than not did four things:

1. Used commercial uniforms
2. Didn't necessarily buy any one pattern in any large number
3. Purchased many patterns over the course of their existence (which generally is 10-40 years)
4. Not have a lot of pictures taken

The worst of everything from a collector's standpoint It basically means that it's impossible to 100% rule a single soldier from a particular rebel group having worn a specific uniform. This means the "original" source of the uniform is the most important part of the equation.

Steve