1951 Mountain Rucksack

Unused Body Armor, Ground Troops, Variable Type vest with plates. Size Medium Long. Contract DSA 100-69-C-0548. Perfect unused condition. There is a small tear in the cotton fabric on the inside back see photo.

The vest was tested by the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam from January to May 1967, and although it was too heavy for foot mobile operations, it was recommended for personnel involved in escorting convoys and motorized patrols.

Trouser's, Men's, Tropical. Contract DSA 100 - 4270. Size Medium Regular. Trousers are starched and made of mandle. As a result of repeated almonding, a piece of the button flap on the pocket has fallen out, see photo. Otherwise, the trousers are in very nice condition.

US bottle with liquid for cleaning weapons. The bottles are full and in their original packaging. Year of manufacture: 1969.

Inflatable lifeboat for one person, type LRU-3/P, USAF MIL-L-8664B(WP). Manufactured by Rubber Fabricators Inc. (contract DAAK01-67-C-916. Date of manufacture: 1967. Size is approximately 1.6 x 0.9 x 0.3 m max. (inflated, but with covers and bottom chambers folded down). Black and orange rubber construction with one inflatable chamber and additional stabilizing chambers underneath and nylon covers. The boat comes with the original sea anchor/brake (specification no. MIL-A-3339A). The boat is in decent condition, holds air, but is intended for collector's purposes only and is not recommended for regular use on water. The boat can be inflated using a car pump.

Used pants (TROUSERS, MAN'S, COTTON, WIND RESISTANT). Rip-Stop material. Year of manufacture 1969. Size Medium Long. Trousers have one small hole on the leg. Overall very nice condition.

This T61-5 body armor, officially designated MIL-A-43197, represents a fascinating chapter in military equipment history. Developed in the mid-1960s, the T61-5 was designed to be a more ergonomic and flexible successor to the older M1952A model. Its innovative construction featured over 100 individual titanium plates, intended to provide superior protection and comfort.

Although it officially became the U.S. Army's standard-issue vest "on paper" in 1965, it never saw widespread adoption in reality. With the escalation of the Vietnam War, the T61-5 proved too expensive and complex to manufacture for mass deployment. The Army instead opted for a simpler, cheaper, updated version of the M1952A (the "3/4 collar" model).

Despite being an Army design, the T61-5 found its primary use elsewhere. It became characteristic equipment for the U.S. Navy's "Brown Water Navy" units operating in the rivers and coastal areas of Vietnam from 1966 onwards. It was also used by some U.S. Army mechanized infantry, armor, and armored cavalry units between 1969-1971.

Key Features:

• Official Designation: MIL-A-43197

• Common Name: T61-5 Composite Armor

• Standard Publication Date: Feb. 10, 1964

• Construction: Composite material with over 100 titanium plates

• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement

• Primary Users: US Navy ("Brown Water Navy"), US Army mechanized units in Vietnam

This vest is an exceptional and rare collector's item, documenting the push for innovation in personal protection during one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.

Blouse with "in country" embroidered rank, name tag and US ribbon. Air Force. Perfect condition. Size Small.