Pair of sealed pattern embroidered rank slides for an Australian army colonel

Pair of jungle green cotton twill shoulder slides with embroidered rank insignia for a colonel (crown and two pips) in light green and brown cotton. A glazed white label linen label is attached to the slides with twisted white metal wire secured by a small lead seal. Printed on the label, with additional hand writing in blue biro is: 'DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CAPO/C108826 Items 3 & 6 Insignia Rank Officer Field Service Sample Colonel and Brigadier (Green) submitted by A. Warhoft of Huntingdale and approved to govern future deliveries under current contract. Such deliveries must conform in every detail to the Sample Sealed herewith except as detailed on reverse hereof. See over 1/6/1962.' This side has been signed by the Inspector, Stores and Clothing (Victoria). The back of the label is marked in biro, 'Dye Embroidery threads subject to satisfactory tests DSLAB from bulk supplies'.

These shoulder slides, of the type worn by Army officers in the field in Vietnam, were supplied as a sealed pattern to ensure that standards of manufacturing and appearance were maintained.

They were produced in limited numbers to be issued as an approved pattern to be followed by military contractors supplying a particular item of dress of equipment