attached

another pic

Those clips on a row look pretty neat!

Nice trio :bunny1:

Jim

Well isn't that handy! So does anyone notice your pens? I think one of the fun things about using FPs are the reactions of those around us.

unfortunately, not yet! The 51's to the untrained eye look like a ballpoint so not many comments. To the people I take them out and show them too, I get good comments.

looking good there, mister!

Nice trio of BD "51"s there!

OT question: When did they issue you guys the computer-generated camos?

Very nice!

Richard: They started issuing this uniform early this year I think. Funny thing is that the life expectancy of them is only 6 months, so I keep getting more...tan boots too. They are more comfortable than the last few types of uniforms and I definitely dig the pen slots....before my pen would be hidden. What you see in the pic is a 1943 dove grey with stacked coin cap/ fine nib, a 1946 cedar blue?/Nassau blue? with sterling cap, xf nib, and the third is a matching mechanical pencil from the same era. All black ink for military use of course. Funny thing is that these pens/pencil probably have seen several wars now....

Does the uniform fabric give up the ghost, or is it just the dyes washing out? And do they take the old uniforms back when they issue new ones?

Blue Cedar

Nassau Green

The next question is where you're getting your ink. Somehow I suspect that the U.S. Army doesn't carry that in what passes over there for a PX.

Wellll.... I'm no expert on any topic military however, I'd suspect one of the few places you COULD still get FP ink would be from the US Army. Considering that all of WWII was written with a fountain pen, probably most of Korea and at least part of Vietnam as well. I would bet they even have some NOS Quink or Skrip or ??? stashed somewhere.... Probably not some of the wilder colors but for sure black or blue or blue-black.

I'm really curious to find out about this... DOES the govt. make fountain pne ink available to its "employees?" If so, that would be very cool! :-)

Nice pens,and I like the Pen slots, too

What really makes this guy a serious collector is that he makes sure his pens are protected by his Berretta at all times.... I dare someone to try to steal one of his 51s....

Would love to have that holster rig.

Keep your head down and thanks for your service.

What else... Iraqi Indigo.

You may enjoy this piece from my portfolio (http://members.aol.com/willadams/portfolio.html)

http://members.aol.com/willadams/portfolio...m_your_flag.pdf

William

Looks like it's the Cedar Blue 51! Thanks.

The uniforms do start to fade slightly, but the problem is mainly that they aren't very thick and tend to rip from what I've experienced.

As for Ink....I have yet to find fountain pen ink available anywhere....not in the px, not from supply. So, I brought a single bottle of MontBlanc Black, and I have another at home that I'm going to ask my wife to send me shortly here.

.....and yes, my pens are well protected

As I looked at the pens in your pen pocket, I also thought that they might have seen multiple wars. My set of desert cammies had the usual pen slot in the breast pocket and I alwasy had to hasle with the pocket flap to access my pens. I like the pen pocket on the sleeve, though I suspect it exposes the pens to a lot of sand.

I just do not understand why the uniform R&D people would allow the uniforms to be issued without the color fast problem being resolve. I understand those BDU's bleach out and make you guys big glowing white targets. Not good.

I know what it is like to be far from home with some of the amenities of home sorely missing. During that first Gulf War, my big thing was coffee. Fortunately, a kind lady in Seattle would send regular shipments of Starbucks (before Starbucks became a household name) and made life quite bearable. - If ink is a problem, just post here that you need some. I will volunteer to send you a couple bottles myself. Just tell me what you want and make sure I have your address.

So as well your life. I wish you a safe comeback home!

To whomever mailed me a brand new Lamy Safari fountain pen with ink, thank you so much. There was no indication who it was, only a note wishing my safe return from someone on this board.

Thanks for the incredible gift and good thoughts. I sincerely appreciate it!!!!!

Please bring them home safely, along with your own bod in the same, "as-issued" condition.

Now if we could just get dress shirt and casual shirt makers to add those wonderful pen pockets! Great shots, and thanks for sharing.

Stay safe, and thank you for what you do to protect my family.

May God bless and protect you! Praying regularly for all our troops,
southpaw

Nice collection - best speed back to your family. Thanks for the job you and your colleagues from the US and other nations are trying to do, we appreciate it. Very much.

HOO YA!!!This from retired Master Sergeant Beck,Keep your tail down & eyes open soldier.PROTECT THOSE PENS, & THANKS FOR BEING THERE FOR ALL OF US!!!IF I COULD GET A WAIVER FOR AGE I'D BE THERE IN A HALF A HEARTBEAT!!!