First Sergeant (E-8) B/G

Unused carrying case for the M-16 rifle bipod.

Used MC-1 knife. Manufacturer: Schrade/Walden. Good condition. The blade spring does not work and the blade must be opened manually.

Used 1Q field bottle from 1969. The cup is from 1945. The cover has a nylon trim.

Originally packed M6 bayonet from MIlpar. Packing date 1961. Only bayonet.

Unused 5qt water bag. Contract 1968.

Original "shrapnel vest" Armor, Body, Fragmentation Protective with 3/4 Collar (RVNAF). This type of vest was made in the USA for ARVN needs. The size is marked M, but according to the sizing for the ARVN. Contract DSA 100-70-C-0126. Stock condition.

For collector's purposes only - ballistic protection is not guaranteed.

Cover for field bottle M 1967. The prints are plastic. Stock condition. All covers are dated 1968.

11th Cavalry patch in black and green with cut edge.

Nice 5-quart water bag. Slightly used condition. The bag and container were manufactured in 1968.

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• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement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