REPRODUCTIONS,   ERRORS  &   PHONY   PATCHES

             Reproductions

            One of the positive aspects of collecting qualification patches is that there are relatively few reproductions being pedaled as original patches. This is probably because relatively few people collect these patches.

            There are, however, some patches that have been reproduced. There have been several crude reproductions done of the 4^th Armored Division 1969 TCQC patch. See Tank Gunnery Patches in Germany article, Figure 38, for an illustration of an authentic patch. The Company F, 40^th Armor "Berlin Tank Crew" patch has been reproduced by the unit's veterans' organization. The reproduction is well-made and differs from the original primarily by having taller letters, and a slightly different weave. See Tank Gunnery Patches in Germany Article, Figure 68, for an illustration of an authentic patch.

             Errors

            There is a TCQC patch that states: "6^th Bn, 8^th Armor." See Figure 1.

            There is no 8^th Armor, and the 8^th Cavalry did not have a 6^th Battalion. This same design exists, but stating "6^th Bn, 68^th Armor." The 6–68 Armor was an Army Reserve tank battalion assigned to the 157^th Separate Infantry Brigade(Mech), and was located in the eastern half of Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1995. Accordingly, I believe the 6^th Bn, 8^th Armor patch is a manufacturer's error.

             Phony Patches

            There are a series of color TCQC patches for the 3^rd Bn, 63^rd Armor, for 1964 through 1968, which use the same design as that unit's 1973 subdued TCQC patch. See, e.g., Figure 2.

            However, the 3^rd Bn, 63^rd Armor was not activated until April 17, 1970, as part of the re-flagging of the 24^th Infantry Division(Mech) as the 1^st Infantry Division(Mech). Accordingly, the color patches are not legitimate patches. They may have been made by the manufacturer of the subdued 1973 patch to sell to collectors.

            Figure 3 is a 1^st Cavalry Division "Combat Qualification" patch that, according to the ASMIC catalog, was "never used in division, apparently made for collectors." ASMIC #1Y. However, I have seen a photograph of a pair of Army coveralls with this patch and a 1^st Cavalry Division shoulder patch.

            In addition, the patch I have has thread present in the border of the patch indicating it was sewn onto something. Finally, HQ, III Corps revoked authority for its subordinate units to award tank gunnery patches, effective September 30, 1986. Thus, this patch may have been worn on the uniform after all.

            Figure 4 appears to be a TCQC patch for the "40^th Armored Battalion." This is likely not a legitimate patch. First, the U.S. Army has never had a unit designated the "40^th Armored Battalion."

            Second, during the period when qualification patches were being worn, the designation of this unit would have been, e.g., "1^st Bn, 40^th Armor." Finally, from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s, the Army had several units designated as elements of the 40^th Armor (1^st Bn, 40^th Armor, 5^th ID(M), Ft. Polk; Co B, 40^th Armor, III Corps Arty, Ft. Sill; 4^th Bn, 40^th Armor, 4^th ID(M), Ft. Carson; and Co F, 40^th Armor, Berlin Bde, West Berlin). None of these units could claim to be the sole representative of the 40^th Armor.

            Finally, there are some generic TCQC patches being sold on the Internet as commemorative patches for veterans. They do not state a unit or year. They are not legitimate insignia.