USMC Mosquito Net Camo Covers - When were the Manufactured?

[Catfishcraig]

PIC_0886.JPG

Would this be the ore 44 version?

[Le Dirk]

Would this be the ore 44 version?

No, that's what I referred to as early or pre-44, the 44 version looks exactly like the shelter half pacman.

[pump 150]

Rechecked my files and to correct how I've seen these listed before it is Types A-B-C instead of 1-2-3.

 

Here is a close up of the Type A. One row of single stitching and another of double row in the crown with the gaps in the bands. Double row stitching at the mesh line Cloth is light khaki green in color.

 

And a photo from Eniwetok, at the far right.

[pump 150]

Close up of the Type B. One band all the way around. Single row stitching all around and pale colors with khaki brown cloth.

 

Type C are the bright green type generally found.

 

Like the HBT's these are collector terms I have heard in the past to tell them apart.

['Flage Guy]

I have some photos (not loaded into the computer ) of the "A" Net-Covers being used in the Bougainville Campaign as well. It seems that they made it into the field pretty quickly. Another recognizable feature of the "A"s is the thinner, fragile netting...handle with care!

Nice Covers displayed here, gents!

[usmc grunt]

They display nicer than I thought they would.

Were they used much during any war?

Here are three photos showing this cover in use by Marines in Vietnam.

[Justin]

Gosh, how old do you think that VN marine in the first picture is?

[usmc grunt]

Cover in use by Marines during WWII.
1. Iwo Jima
2. Tarawa

[pump 150]

Flage, I have never seen anything written as far as which came first, but the overall opinion at this time I've heard is that it generally follows the types. As construction normally simplifies over time and the "A" is seen used more in the early campaigns, and the "C" is the most common seen later and found today. Where the "B" fits in exactly- dunno for sure. Maybe a smaller run along side the "C".

 

Nice photos Grunt!

['Flage Guy]

Below is a group of Raider Dog Handlers on Bougainville; the only Net-Cover I can make out is with the man in front (John J. Kleeman).

Taken from the VFW series volume "The War in the Pacific":

 

['Flage Guy]

A close-up; at the right front of the Pot can be seen one of the 2 gaps in the foliage band; also of interest is the combo of 'flage Utility Trousers and OD Utility Coat...

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrei]

 

Vietnam

[Andrei]

 

Marine on the right looks to have an army issued elastic band on his helmet

[ww2collector1944]

Just bumping this post with potential evidence of wwii manufacturer. Here are screenshots from an eBay listing that mentions they purchased a bulk box of these covers.

 

the label which includes date of manufacture was located on the box. Sharing this as potential evidence if this label has not yet been seen

[pump 150]

Nice label.  Here’s a thread I started years ago with some questions about possible much later production, or at least packaging. 
 

 

[gap]

Not to be a cynic, but a label is pretty easily to gin up! 

[Nickman983]

I ended up purchasing one of those nets from the seller who had the label, this is the net I received. I want to say it's a type B but please correct me if I'm wrong. The colors are a bit different and the mosquito netting is much stiffer than the one I had previously bought

 

A side by side with the net I had already owned, the new one is on the right.

[byf41]

My Father was In the 4th Marines during WWII and was Issued the net and camo cover for his helmet In 1944 . Ive still got all 3 . 

[gap]

Here’s another mosquito net cover from Vietnam era. Most likely marines.
 

Cool photo as it shows an improvised rubber inner tube helmet band on the pipe smoking M60 gunner, and also an airborne liner with chin cup actually being used. 

[gap]

Definitely Marines— the soldier with the mosquito net cover has a 13 month period written on it. Marines’ tour of duty in Vietnam  was 13 months versus 12 for Army. 

[conn]

and also his flak jacket is usmc type with sling holder on right side ( this is not concrete evidence, anyone can put on a flak jacket, the 13 month tour is the winner.)

[spudman1962]

I have what I believe is a new old stock net and cover I have had this for about 20 years. Not sure if the 72 in the package label refers to mfg. date? Or if this a wwii mfg.

[reuscher]

Hi,

Some may find this info interesting:

 

In support of post # 39.  This is the listing for G L Fields  Ltd. of Carteret, NJ from Major War Supply Contracts published in 1946 showing that they were a legit manufacturer of USMC camo headnets during WW2.  The same contract number is shown second from bottom:

 

 

In response to post # 40.  This document from 1951 shows that at that time the Marine Corps was still waiting for stocks of  WW2 headnets to be used up and that the item was listed as limited standard.  Also, that a new version with a nylon net was ready to be supplied once the WW2 made nets were gone.  Note that the nomenclature shown for the WW2 net had been changed to Headnet, Mosquito, Camouflaged, Marquisette.  No doubt this was done to distinguish between the old WW2 marquisette net fabric and the new nylon net.  The context of the document is that at the time the Defense Department wanted as many field items as possible to be issued across the different services and each branch had to explain what items they were using and why.

 

 

 

 

So it seems that there are at least three different types of USMC camo headnets:

 

The specification adopted 5 January 1943.

The revised specification of 4 November 1943.

And a nylon netted version developed and waiting to be issued sometime after the end of WW2 but before 1951.

 

 

[patches]

Here' one being worn In Korea, by an Army Infantryman in July 1950 arriving from Japan, division unknown, could be either the 24th Div, the 25th Div or the 1st Cav Div, where he acquired it? Maybe lying around since 45 when the Marines came to Japan for Occupation, V Amphibious Corps I believe

[Linedoggie]

NYARNG used them in the early 70's. Will try to dig out a image or a BAR man circa 1973? at camp Drum wearing one. Sometimes you would see one or two in the supply rooms