"Choc-chip" covers.

[Sabrejet]

I know these covers were never official USGI....but....were they actually US-made for client states such as Saudi-Arabia, or are they simply foreign knock-offs of US patterns? Thanks.

[patches]

I think? they were used in the 80-83 period as the M1 was still being used, before the Fritz Helmets came out, like on the Training missions of the 82nd Abn Div in Egypt and with the UN forces in Sinai?

[1canpara]

I can't say one way or another Ian about them being US-made issue or foreign knock-offs, but they look pretty cool on a helmet. I have a couple...here's one of mine that's mint and unissued....no markings anywhere though...

 

Rick

 

 

[sgtdorango]

I have one too, i will have to check the quality of the stitching and construction....i do think they were US made at one time and then i bet foreign countries made their own knockoffs also to fill their need......mike

[1canpara]

I have one too, i will have to check the quality of the stitching and construction....i do think they were US made at one time and then i bet foreign countries made their own knockoffs also to fill their need......mike

Looking closely at mine Mike, the quality is not bad, but certainly not to the standard or strength you would expect for a combat item. The material is thinner than a Mitchell cover for sure. It's about the same grade and quality as the later ERDL covers, and also only one sided with the print pattern. The stitching seems good and not like some cheap knock-off, but again, there are no markings or contract numbers to reference.

 

Rick

[Sabrejet]

Ok...thanks fellers!

[pump 150]

This marked one is from an earlier thread on these. No additional info though on who these may have been for. The only U.S. forces I have seen wearing a six color so far are during Desert Storm and they were PASGT's worn on M-1's still in service

[BOLO]

they must have only made these for a short time, they're pretty hard to find these days

 

one recently sold on UK ebay for around US $43

 

I would love to find one for my Saudi M1 helmet

 

here is a photo of a desert choco chip cover turned inside out showing the plain tan color on the other side

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNUSUAL-M1-STEEL-HELMET-CHOCOLATE-CHIP-CAMO-COVER-EXPORT-CONTRACT-/111131954331?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=T91qkZWtH7MCDBJzW%252FV4ZZsoi30%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

 

 

[pump 150]

These are from the 1982 period if I recall - 82nd Airborne, Operation Bright Star in Egypt.

 

Six Color uniforms but plain tan covers. Some have said they turned the covers inside out, but with all of the covers I have seen the pattern bleeds thru. These appear to be plain covers. Don't know how they obtained these, would sure be nice to know though. Maybe locally?

[pump 150]

Have seen a couple of brownside Mitchells as well, but these don't seem to look like those either.

[sgtdorango]

Very cool tan covers, maybe tailor made on a small unit level?.....i think i remember seeing in the Pablo Marcetti (spelling?) helmet book, theres some info on these US choco chip M1 covers...i will have to check and see if theres any accurate info about them....mike

[NickD]

this is one i have

 

[NickD]

[NickD]

[NickD]

[NickD]

[NickD]

[NickD]

[sgtdorango]

Heres mine....

[sgtdorango]

[sgtdorango]

I checked in the Paulo Marzetti Helmets of the World book, it shows the US chocochip cover with out slits and also shows a solid tan cover stating it was reversible to woodland camo to sand....also shown is a Desert night camo helmet cover...the pattern more often seen in Desert Storm era night camo parkas and pants...no real technical info is given so not sure if some were just field made or factory.....mike

[anelles]

These are from the 1982 period if I recall - 82nd Airborne, Operation Bright Star in Egypt.

 

Six Color uniforms but plain tan covers. Some have said they turned the covers inside out, but with all of the covers I have seen the pattern bleeds thru. These appear to be plain covers. Don't know how they obtained these, would sure be nice to know though. Maybe locally?

 

Does this CPT have an M1 Carbine pouch on his belt???

 

[BOLO]

the photos are not sharp enough to tell if they are using desert camo covers turned inside out, but that would be the simplest way to have the plain tan color shown in the old photos instead of ordering new ones in solid tan

 

fading and fine desert dust & sand would conceal the other colors from bleeding through

[Allen Dail]

Hello Everyone

Here are better scans of the 82nd Airborne Bright Star cover pics.

The pics are from the Book The All Americans The 82nd Airborne by Leroy Thompson 1988. All the photos are credited to the U.S.Army.

Page 127 captioned 1980 Bright star




page 130




page 133

 

Yes, it looks like the Capt does have an M1 Carbine Pouch Anelles well spotted.

Regards

Allen

[flashesandovals]

These are from the 1982 period if I recall - 82nd Airborne, Operation Bright Star in Egypt.

 

Six Color uniforms but plain tan covers. Some have said they turned the covers inside out, but with all of the covers I have seen the pattern bleeds thru. These appear to be plain covers. Don't know how they obtained these, would sure be nice to know though. Maybe locally?

These are regular mitchell/erdl cover that were sray painted tan.