Blue Dress Trousers - 1967

Unused ARVN backpack. The backpack is without side straps. Unused condition - stored for a long time.

The HT-2A radio from The Hallicrafters is from the OPS family of radios. The HT-2A is one of the first models delivered under the CIA-funded Village Radio program sponsored by the Office of Public Safety (OPS) to provide local forces with short-range radios to report Viet Cong movements. The retractable antenna is undamaged. The plastic knob for volume control and transmission switching is missing. See photo for condition. Functionality is not guaranteed.

Unused flight suit in ERDL Brown Dominant camouflage. Size for approx. 180-185cm. Missing manufacturer's label.

Unused magazine belt for BAR machine gun in green colour. Year of manufacture 1951.

Used cotton sling for M-16 rifle.

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

Parka M51 (Field Jacket) in unused condition. Contract QM (CTM) 10442 - C - 61 from 1961. Size Small Short.

Unused forearm for M16A1 rifle.

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• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement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