Coat, Men's, Cotton, Wind Resistant - M-R 1969

60s Vietnam War Vietnamese-Made US Army Branch Tape

Used Armor Body ballistic shorts, Fragmentation Protective (For the Groin). Size 36 (Army) 44 (Navy). Contract DSA-100-4677. The zipper is functional. Condition as shown in the photo. For collector purposes only.

Coverall, Flying, Men's CWU-1/P. Size Small Regular. Very nice condition.

Used knife from Laos. The blade is made from scraps of aircraft ammunition. The blade length is 275 mm.

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• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement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

Trousers in ERDL camouflage. Size Medium Regular. Contract DSA 100-70-C-0137. Perfect almost unused condition. Colours are rich and unwashed. This piece comes from the estate of a Special Forces member named Norton who served in the US. Army from Vietnam to the 1990s.

Unused Cap, Utility, Cotton Sateen, OG-107. Size Large. Contract DSA 100-71-C-0497.

Used trousers (Trousers, Twill, Khaki With Hip Pockets). Size 28x33. Waist 68 cm, leg length from waist 104 cm. Year of manufacture 1957.

Blouse in ERDL camouflage. Worse condition with most of the original patches. Labels missing but size is Medium - Regular. Blouse comes from the estate of a Special Forces member named Norton who served in the US. Army from Vietnam to the 1990s.

Utility Fighting Knife from Camillus. The blade is not sharpened.

Used Coat blouse, Men's, Tropical. Rip-Stop material. Size Small Short.

Pack of disposable earplugs. Production 1962. For collecting purposes - functionality is not guaranteed.