Hi Schmilkes. I agree with you that it would be better with the original patches. Someone else removed the patches before we acquired the vest unfortunately (most likely for the vest to be used/rented for another production), but if you do a thread search you'll see that the reproductions we had custom made were produced directly off the film costumer's original designs and are exact duplicates of the ones used in the film.
We can't release information to other members here on creating additional exact reproductions due to legal licensing issues, but wanted you to know that the patch set on our vest have been professionally aged and are as close to an original screen worn set as is physically possible.
Thanks again to all the members who took a look. Here's the link to our site again for any who might be interested:
http://www.thegoldencloset.com/merchant ... Code=D0153
It's our sincere hope that this vest goes to someone that really loved the film and appreciates its value as a cultural icon.
Best,
TGC