What are these helmet covers?

[anelles]

Here is a 1965 dated photo with some odd Duck Hunter style helmet covers in use by the Illinois National Guard. Any idea on what these are?

 

Image #17 here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/wheaton/chi-classic-photos-cantigny-park-20131115,0,3165076.photogallery

 

[Patriot]

Experimental?

[The_Brick]

Probably a civilian copy, was looking through some forum topics here as well as other forums and there seems to be no real answer as to where these come from. Apparently these covers have extra slits to add foliage and extra camouflage.

[patches]

Typical of the period, as we see it's 1965 and a NG unit, the 33rd Inf Div Illinois NG, especialy so, for the National Guard did not have as standard issue or any real issue of the current (by mid 60s) Leaf Pattern covers worn by the Regular Army.

 

Here's a talk on the type, in this topic I,m in the camp that it in all probility is a legit period 50s 60s piece in excellent condition, just that the hem was monkeyed with somewhere down the line.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/191021-vietnam-helmet-cover-or-childs-play-piece/

[anelles]

Makes sense. It's interesting that the whole squad in the picture has matching covers. The must have been purchased in bulk from somewhere.

[patches]

Makes sense. It's interesting that the whole squad in the picture has matching covers. The must have been purchased in bulk from somewhere.

Yes, but in those days, 50s 60s, one could find photos were a few have covers and some do not in the same unit, while some like in your photo, they are all wearing the same cover as a unit, this goes for all types of covers, Burlap, Parachute Camo, WWII era Nets, Duck Hunter, with and without the WWII Camo Band (Camo Band could be seen being worn with the Burlap and other afore mentioned covers), both Regular and Reserve Componant, but starting in around 1962-63 the Regular Army at any rate got some uniformity in the form of the Leaf/Mitchell Covers which became standard then.

[anton67]

UGLY. That is what they are ( ;

 

BTW, they are shooting Garands.

[patches]

UGLY. That is what they are ( ;

 

BTW, they are shooting Garands.

I think there rather unique, and stylish

[m1ashooter]

Maybe some ones wife made them for the troops.

[HeadOfSteel]

Looks like they could even be mosquito nets.

[aef1917]

Whatever they are, I have an identical one.

 

[cavscout6b]

 

BTW, they are shooting Garands.

Yes, they are. (And they probably did for about another 10 years.)

The National Guard was in a transitional period during that time. It wasn't until the late 60's that "modernization" began & NG troops started to get current issue of weapons & gear. The 28th Division, a NG division, was part of the "Selected Reserve Force". SRF units were expected to be the first called up for activation in a wartime emergency. Priority was given to these units for "new" weapons & equipment. Despite the heightened readiness category, the 28th Division was not issued the M16a1 rifle, until 1970.

[anton67]

Bumped for further discussion.

[kammo-man]

Whatever they are, I have an identical one.

 

DSCN5391r.JPG

Good eye.

Thats what they are.