Difference Between US Marine Corps Tartan & Leatherneck Tartan

[Dixiedog]

Hey All... Just when it was getting confusing enough... It just got more confusing !!! This is another Manufacturers Head Slapper for Barb T. to unravel for us, like she brought to our attention about her Daughters USAFRPB Kilt Tartan back in December 2011 (Surprise with the US Air Force Reserve Pipe Band Tartan). This time it's with the US Marine Corps Tartan.

It appears that there are indeed TWO Different Tartans that were designed to Honor the US Marine Corps (The US Marine Corps Tartan ~ STA #975 & The Leatherneck Tartan ~ STA #3612). According to the STA, The two Tartans were designed by the same designers, both are produced by the same mills and both have exactly the same Thread Counts. In reality though, The Base Difference between the two Tartans is in the Color Brilliance of the Tartans.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) Tartan ~ STA 975 is much Brighter in Threat Color that the Leatherneck STA #3612. The USMC Tartan (STA #975) Thread Count is as follows... 6 Red - 8 Yellow - 64 Blue - 24 Green - 6 Red - 8 Green - 6 Red - 80 Green. The Leatherneck Tartan (STA #3612) uses Darker Shades of the Same Base Color Thread as follows... 6 Dark Red - 8 Mustard Yellow - 64 Royal Blue - 24 Green - 6 Dark Red - 8 Green - 6 Dark Red - 80 Green.

The Darker Thread Color Shades diffently Change the Overall Appearance of the Tartan. Even though the Pattern is the same, the Color Intensity is Dramatically Different. But according to the STA, even though the Tartan Names and the Thread Colors are Different, the STA says that they are the same Tartans. See the STA Links Below...

(http://www.tartansauthority.com/tart...orps-militaryo)

(http://www.tartansauthority.com/tart...rneck-military)

Who do you Trust? I guess it's all in Customer Preference... If You want a Brighter Color Tartan, you have to be Very Specific and request "The US Marine Corps Tartan (STA #975)." If you want a more Subdued Color Tartan, you again have to be Very Specific and request "The Leatherneck Tartan (STA #3612)."

Good Luck in the Crazyness of it all...