billy-brooks Posted May 15, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 15, 2011 Hello, what do you thing about this item: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-TUNNEL-RAT-HEA...=item588df933ea thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 15, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 15, 2011 look familiar to one in Stantons Viet Nam uniform book. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12thengr Posted May 15, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 15, 2011 Hello, what do you thing about this item: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-TUNNEL-RAT-HEA...=item588df933ea thanks I wasn't there at the time but from what I've heard tunnel rats just used G.I. flashlights and .45 automatics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy-brooks Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted May 15, 2011 look familiar to one in Stantons Viet Nam uniform book. RD thanks D.... i compared the headlamp on this book already... for me the hardware (buttons, webbing...) looks like france or german bundeswehr on this time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 15, 2011 Share #5 Posted May 15, 2011 thanks D.... i compared the headlamp on this book already... for me the hardware (buttons, webbing...) looks like france or german bundeswehr on this time I agree Looking at the pebbled buttons they remind me of something german bubewehr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docdean64 Posted June 26, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 26, 2011 I had what I purchased as a "Swedish Army" headlamp a few years ago that looked a LOT like that. The stock number on the headband isn't consistant in font or format to US gear either. I smell a rat, but not a tunnel rat ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbunny Posted June 26, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 26, 2011 German Luftwaffe mechanics used headlamps during WWII. Leather tabs on battery case look like those used on European pocket flashlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtmonroe Posted June 26, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 26, 2011 what do you thing about this item: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-TUNNEL-RAT-HEA...=item588df933ea My suggestion is to read the auction description as it states: "Type used by “Tunnel Rats” for searching enemy caves and tunnels." It does not say anything about the item actually being a genuine headlamp from the infamous Tunnel Exploration Kit. The kits, which were tested in 1966 and 1967, featured a headlamp with "bite-switch" - which would the most obvious component to identify the item. As all the other members, that have responded, have indicated it is obviously European (West German or Swedish) in origin (based on the battery box with leather "button tabs"). I recommend that the forum moderators close the thread since it is not a piece of USGI equipment. I wasn't there at the time but from what I've heard tunnel rats just used G.I. flashlights and .45 automatics. According to the ACTIV final report of the Tunnel Exploration Kit (dated 07 January 1967), along with the standard MX-991/U flashlight, hand-held (not head-mounted) flashlights that were being utilized at the time included the "Ever Ready All-American and the Union Carbide Lamp (uses BA 200 Btry, model 108)". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now