Viet Minh Rank Insignia Lot Complete

We are pleased to announce this, first time, ultra-rare offering, a complete set of Viet Minh rank dating from the late 1940s to the mid 1950s.

Each of the 15 pieces is hand sewn rank insignia.

Each has a pair of various metal hooks to attach to loops sewn on the uniform tunic.  These were always removed prior to combat.

Two sets of hooks are marked DEPOSE, which indicates “hand made” in French.

Although tarnished with 75 years of age, the gold bullion wire is in fine condition and has not unraveled, as you can see.

Various backing material are present as shown.

The rank includes:

Corporal

Sergeant

Senior Sergeant

Master Sergeant

Aspirant

2nd Lieutenant

1st Lieutenant

Captain

Senior Captain

Major

Lt. Colonel

Colonel

Senior Colonel

Brigadier General

General

We have attached an original Vietnamese language document showing other styles of Vietminh rank as well as some French language reference showing other variants of Viet Minh rank insignia.

As you can see there were variations on the theme between square rank, rectangular rank and other geometric shapes.

These were found in a lot with WW2 Japanese rank.  It has been written that the Viet Minh may have drawn some inspiration from Japanese rank. As you know Japan occupied Vietnam from 1940 to 1945. We recognize this inspiration with respect to the red color and stars, but that seems to be where the inspiration ended.

We also see Soviet inspiration in the white stripes on the enlisted rank. As you may know, many Vietnamese studied at Soviet universities and military schools.

We next see an American inspiration in the lieutenant’s bars. As you know, the US supported Ho Chi Minh in WW2.

We lastly see French inspiration in the /\ shapes for the Senior NCO rank.

The consignor thought these would bring more if sold individually, perhaps $250 to $500 each, but ultimately he elected to keep them together as a complete set as no complete set is known to exist. Indeed, we have never seen any others in half a century of collecting Vietnamese Communist militaria.