New Romantic Posted February 28, 2008 Share #1 Posted February 28, 2008 Yes, I know I've been absent from here for a while- other priorities in life, really downsized my collection, and still selling most of it... Still I do have in interest in US WWI and now a renewed interest in the Vietnam War circa 1966 during my father's first tour of duty with C 2/27th Wolfhounds from Jan 3 1966- Jan 3 1967. I'm looking for info on the early M79 grenade vests. These must be super rare. I can't recall ever seeing one for sale and I can't remember if these were ever discussed on any of the forums. Were they tan coloured like the early M79 round bandoleers? Anybody have any good photos of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmiraldi67 Posted February 29, 2008 Share #2 Posted February 29, 2008 The link is to a 2nd model circa 1967-68, This is the 1st model introduced in 1966, features thin netting, with a large velcro flap, and 6 pockets that if you dont have the small plastic egg shells the vest is worthless and wont hold the 40mm rounds. paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmiraldi67 Posted February 29, 2008 Share #3 Posted February 29, 2008 heres the real pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmiraldi67 Posted February 29, 2008 Share #4 Posted February 29, 2008 heres a little better shot, if you need some close ups let me know and I'll snap them side by side for ya, Ive also got a 2nd model and of course the 3d model Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 29, 2008 Share #5 Posted February 29, 2008 I have 2 of the first model vests but I hear they are going for some very serious money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted February 29, 2008 Thank you for posting the photos Paul, 1st time I've ever seen the 2nd pattern vest, unless I missed it in your two books. Spike, can you post photos of your 1st pattern vests? Tommorrow I will post some photos of 25th ID soldiers in 1966 wearing what appears to be the 1st pattern M79 vest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmiraldi67 Posted February 29, 2008 Share #7 Posted February 29, 2008 hey bro those are the 1st model vests, the link on ebay was the second model. The one I have on the figure is the Gen 1 vest thanks paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 29, 2008 Share #8 Posted February 29, 2008 Here is one I found at the Rose Bowl swap meet late morning/early afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 29, 2008 Share #9 Posted February 29, 2008 The back.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmiraldi67 Posted February 29, 2008 Share #10 Posted February 29, 2008 hey Spike do you have any of the smaller half egg shells in green or white for your vest???? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted March 1, 2008 Share #11 Posted March 1, 2008 Yeah, I think I have some somewhere, came out of M79 bandoliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwmiraldi67 Posted March 1, 2008 Share #12 Posted March 1, 2008 right, both the tall ones and short ones will work, vest is useless without em, damn shells slide all over the place if you take one out without the egg crates, great design!! paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted March 1, 2008 Share #13 Posted March 1, 2008 Since we are talkin' about M79 vests I remembered I had these....don't know much about them except I have a pic of a SEAL in 1970 using something like these if not the exact same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted March 1, 2008 Share #14 Posted March 1, 2008 These are for a taller 40mm round...see post below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted March 1, 2008 Share #15 Posted March 1, 2008 This card was inside one of the above bandoleers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Romantic Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share #16 Posted March 2, 2008 hey brothose are the 1st model vests, the link on ebay was the second model. The one I have on the figure is the Gen 1 vest thanks paul Ah yes thanks for clearing that up Paul, I misread your first post. Here's one of several photos I mentioned showing a mortar crew of the 25th ID in mid 1966- from "Tropic Lightning, the 25th's 25th in Combat", Nov 1966 The soldier in the middle is wearing some sort of m79 vest or apron as it looks. Hard to tell but it doesn't look like it has a front opening. Another photo of the same crew shows the M79 gunner from the back and he has grenade pockets on his lower back side. Perhaps this is a soldier produced item? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted March 2, 2008 Share #17 Posted March 2, 2008 It look like M79 bandoleers sewn onto a shirt, I've seen it done before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted January 24, 2011 Share #18 Posted January 24, 2011 Here's a photo of a 1st pattern vest in use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted January 24, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 24, 2011 Since we are talkin' about M79 vests I remembered I had these....don't know much about them except I have a pic of a SEAL in 1970 using something like these if not the exact same thing. Spike Those are Vietnam era carrying cases/bandoleers for the CS rounds. I had a full case of 1969 dated CS rounds and that is what the rounds came packed in these bandoleers, with the information cards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sogmanjoe Posted February 2, 2011 Share #20 Posted February 2, 2011 Hi this is my early M79 Grenada Vest, it is mark U.S on the left side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted February 2, 2011 Share #21 Posted February 2, 2011 Anyone know the price range one these would go for today? I've never seen one for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FNG Posted February 2, 2011 Share #22 Posted February 2, 2011 Anyone know the price range one these would go for today? I've never seen one for sale. Years ago I saw one on ebay. It sold for well over $500 if I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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