1968 Dated Body Armour

[king802]

Was round my brothers day and he pulled this body armour / vest out.

 

What model is it ?

 

Rich

 

[king802]

[215Dave]

My research says it is a M69 flak jacket. The contract number with the -823- in the middle states it is pre stiffeners in the ballistic layers which later were added to prevent the inner material (ballistic nylon) from bunching up.

[PriorityOne]

Yep, M69 Flak Vest, looks in nice shape too.

[raylemere]

a Vietnam war era m69 flak jacket! Awesome piece!

[B229]

It is NOT an M69 vest. It's a "Vest, with 3/4 Collar", which had no model number. The M69 is similar but has a velcro front closure and velcro closures on the pocket flaps. The M69 vests where standardized in 1969 (hence the model number) and didn't enter production until 1970. If you look closely, the OP's vest has a DSA contract number dated 1968.

[PriorityOne]

That makes sense, never made sense that mine was made in 68. Thanks for the info!

[215Dave]

It is NOT an M69 vest. It's a "Vest, with 3/4 Collar", which had no model number. The M69 is similar but has a velcro front closure and velcro closures on the pocket flaps. The M69 vests where standardized in 1969 (hence the model number) and didn't enter production until 1970. If you look closely, the OP's vest has a DSA contract number dated 1968.

Good eye! Had to take second and third look at the label. Indeed a 68. But, I have to ad, I have both a 1968 "Vest, with 3/4 collar" and a M69, and my M69 does not have any Velcro on the pocket flaps or the front flap where the zipper is. I know the Velcro came on later revised models, just my research...