Original US Army M-1956 Suspenders (1st Pattern) | Regular | 1959 NOS

A true combat veteran dripping with character! Up for sale is a genuine US M1 helmet rig from the Vietnam War era. This fantastic, named set belonged to an Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) named W. Harper. The rig consists of a 1960s-produced steel pot (McCord) paired with a Korean War era fiberglass liner (Micarta) – a classic configuration for Vietnam. The liner boasts a beautiful crazed exterior patina and an original pinned rank insignia on the front. A superb named piece ready for research!

Genuine US Military Type A-7 Signal Flare Bag. Rare 1975 contract in original sealed paper packaging. Mint / Unissued condition.

Genuine US Military metal support poles for the Mosquito Bar. Designed to attach to the US folding cot. New Old Stock in original paper wrapping.

Genuine Vietnam War era Chinese Communist (Chicom) canteen used by the NVA and Vietcong. Metal body with bakelite cap and tan canvas strap harness. Rare "Near Mint" condition. Iconic enemy gear.

Genuine New Old Stock (NOS) battery BA-386/PRC-77. Originally manufactured in Thailand. Still sealed in factory plastic wrap. Designed for AN/PRC-25 and AN/PRC-77 manpack radios. Sold as a collectible display item only (functionality not guaranteed).

Genuine 1967 US Army double-breasted raincoat. "Quarpel" treated Cotton/Nylon blend. Army Green 274. Complete with belt. Size 42 Regular. Named to soldier.

Sleeping Bag Carrier M1956 "Spaghetti".

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.

REPRO Hat green. Size 58.

Cover for 2qt water bag Canteen Collapsible 2 Quart Capacity. FSN 8465-J22-0002. Manufactured by Latex Corp. Contract No. DA 19-129-QM-2044. The bag has rust stains on it but is otherwise undamaged.

Genuine Vietnam War era "Reel, Taped Barbed". Two coils in original carton. Contract DSA 700-69-C-1240 (1969). Flat razor-style wire. Unissued NOS. (152 chars)

Short Description: A rare piece of combat engineer field gear: A complete set of two "Reel, Taped Barbed" coils in their original cardboard dispenser box. This is the flat, razor-sharp barbed tape used for perimeter defense and booby traps during the Vietnam War. The box features clear stencil markings with contract DSA 700-69-C-1240, dating it precisely to 1969. Condition is NOS (New Old Stock) – clean and uncorroded.

Unused Waterproof Backpack Bag, Waterproof, Clothing. Date of manufacture 1967 and 1968.