Dutch Brassard, DPM, Surplus

Need a new sleeve? If there’s a place in your heart for some light military police action, you might need this brassard to underline your heightened sense of authority. These might also work as repair parts to re-sleeve your wifebeater garments to make them less beaty, and thus, less inappropriate for these modern times. The color scheme is Dutch DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material), and these brassards seem unused.

Brassards are generally used for temporarily attaching certain insignia on your uniform. These situations might include parades, cavalcades, guard duties, and such. If you don’t want to permanently put "Wache", "Victory", or whatnot on your best pullover, just use this brassard when the time comes. When the thing is done, take the brassard off, and put it back in your bedside drawer – insignia facing up, of course.

Features

A brassard is put on by pulling it up on your upper arm and attaching the loop on the shoulder strap of your jacket or shirt. If the brassard can be opened, as this model, you can first put the loop on the shoulder strap, and then close it on your upper arm. If your upper body garment has no shoulder strap, you can use a safety pin to attach it to the upper part of the sleeve.

• Small pocket (5 x 5 x 1 cm / 2" x 2" x 0.4") with a loop base, e.g. for a flag
• Flat pocket (12 x 11 cm / 4.7" x 4.3") with a flap and pen holders
• Vertical loop bases on both sides of the flat pocket
• Hidden pocket (4.3" x 4") inside the brassard
• Adjustable width for your personal bicep size
• Measurements when opened: height 25cm / 10", lower width 50 cm / 20"

Materials and care

Materials: 50% cotton, 50% polyester. Wash in 60°C / 140°F, no bleach – if you have fancy insignia attached to this, better not wash at all. The laundry tag also allows for low heat tumbling and ironing.

Dutch surplus

The Dutch Armed Forces have changed their issue brassards, or they have a major overstock of these, as these seem to be unused and unissued gear. Perhaps this is a part of their phasing out DPM.