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USMC in Hue Field Gear / Display Question


USAF29thINFvet
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USAF29thINFvet

Hi all,

 

I am in the midst of putting together a display to represent a marine during the battle for Hue. Do I need the M14 / M1961 or the M1956 army pouches for the display?

 

Thanks!

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The M1961 snap belt and pouches. I have seen both used but the M1961 pouches were definitely common even with the M16 since they were thoroughly in the supply system and easily fit the 20 round mags for the XM16E1 and M16A1. You also see Marines carrying their mags in multiple bandoliers and not even using the pouches.

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Honestly, any mixed match set of gear is correct. Just lay out of a bunch of gear and set it up the way you would find most comfortable and that would be correct.

 

Just don't sub a M1955 for an Army vest.

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Honestly, any mixed match set of gear is correct. Just lay out of a bunch of gear and set it up the way you would find most comfortable and that would be correct.

 

Just don't sub a M1955 for an Army vest.

That's right, like they did in Full Metal Jacket, Army Flak Jackets :lol:

 

120806113441-cnnphotos-full-metal-jacket

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I'm always surprised at how many of the Marines have the paratrooper liners in their helmets during that era.

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  • 4 months later...
USAF29thINFvet

Next question.....how about the "pattern" of the M1955 flak jacket? I see most marines wearing the style with no pockets but have seen a few pictures with marines wearing the jacket with pockets. Is there a definitive right or wrong answer?

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Next question.....how about the "pattern" of the M1955 flak jacket? I see most marines wearing the style with no pockets but have seen a few pictures with marines wearing the jacket with pockets. Is there a definitive right or wrong answer?

I believe the one with the pockets that you are referring to is the 3rd Pattern Version. I'm not 100% sure.

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Overwhelmingly you see the M1955 without the pockets at this point. I have seen one picture at Khe Sanh with a senior officer wearing the M1955 flak with pockets but undoubtedly 1st pattern M1955. My dad was in Vietnam from 1967-69 and all of the photos have him and all his buddies wearing the 1st pattern.

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I have seen enough photos of m1955 vest with pockets on them being used in Hue city to justify using one on a display. The "second" pattern first start showing up with 1967 dates on them.

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You'll have an easier time finding the 2nd pattern but having studied this very topic for very similar reasons, I feel comfortable saying that M1955 1st patterns were way more prevalent than 2nd patterns.

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You'll have an easier time finding the 2nd pattern but having studied this very topic for very similar reasons, I feel comfortable saying that M1955 1st patterns were way more prevalent than 2nd patterns.

 

You are correct.

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