Suspenders, Equipment, Nylon M-1967

Unused Tropical Combat Uniform (Coat, Man's, Cotton W/R RIP-STP POPLIN OG 107). Size Large Regular. Unused condition. Contract DSA 100-69-C-1362.

Unused original green beret for US. Special Forces. Size 7 1/8. Contract DSA100-68-C-0965. The beret comes from the estate of a Special Forces member named Norton who served in the US. Army from Vietnam to the 1990s.

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.

Blouse ERDL Green dominant, sizing. M-S. USMC markings on pocket and USMC rank insignia on collars.

Used COAT MAN'S CAMOUFLAGE, POPLIN, WIND RESISTANT, RIP-STOP jacket. Size Medium Regular. ERDL Brown Dominant camouflage. USMC marking on the pocket. The jacket is used and has several small holes and a repaired collar.

Used blouse (Coat, Man's, Cotton, Wind Resistant Rip-Stop Poplin). Size Medium Long. Contract DSA 100-68-C-2821. Army and name patch are "in country made". The Special Forces shoulder patch is a regular Army issue. Blouse has several repairs see photo.

Used 1Q field bottle from 1969. The cover has a cotton trim.

Artilleryman's kit with a lot of tools and a pouch to hang on the belt. The tools include, among other things, a set of watchmaker's screwdrivers and a 3/8 wrench that Mutt owners will appreciate.

Special Forces shoulder patch (without arc) from the Vietnam War. Variant with a hemmed edge.

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.

Bandolier for SKS ammunition. Locally produced. Purchased from the estate of a veteran.

Original Unused (NOS) Blood Chit South East Asia - West Central Pacific. Each copy has its serial number. Year of production 1967.