vintageproductions Posted April 24, 2017 Share #1 Posted April 24, 2017 A few years ago I posted this vest here on the forum. There was never a positive id except that it might be USMC. The outer body material is the color of a early VN flak vest. This weekend at the Tempe, Arizona military show I bought this one. It's the same configuration except this one has all the pouches and snap on parts. Plus in the pocket is an extra piece that includes a holster that can replace one of the front pockets. This one is the green nylon that is found on most Vietnam nylon gear. This one also has no markings and never has any. Just wondering if anyone knows anything new about what these are, or who they were issued to? Thanks in advance. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted April 24, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted April 24, 2017 I also have this posted on one of the Facebook Vietnam pages and someone there attached this photo and said it was for an experimental M-14 vest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concernedfuturedogface Posted April 24, 2017 Share #3 Posted April 24, 2017 Very cool find. My favorite part about the Vietnam War is the early appearance of modern-like gear. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keystone Posted April 24, 2017 Share #4 Posted April 24, 2017 The only reference in writing to this vest that I have been able to find comes from the October 1972 issue of the "Marine Corps Gazette". The article states that they were tested as part of the "Troop Test Program" around 1960. One of these sold on eBay last year. I copied some of the photos for reference. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keystone Posted April 24, 2017 Share #5 Posted April 24, 2017 Front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keystone Posted April 24, 2017 Share #6 Posted April 24, 2017 Back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted April 24, 2017 Share #7 Posted April 24, 2017 Very cool, kind of like the grandfather of MOLLE, I know some commercial vests in the 1990s used snaps and velcro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted April 25, 2017 Share #8 Posted April 25, 2017 Looks like you've cornered the market on those vests. Did any else notice the anti-mine blast footwear on the soldier in the photo? Interesting. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted April 25, 2017 Share #9 Posted April 25, 2017 Thank God, I'll only take shrapnel in the crotch! Did any else notice the anti-mine blast footwear on the soldier in the photo? Interesting. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtpeter Posted April 25, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 25, 2017 Funny, the boots were the first thing I noticed ... and then the helmet. Kinda looks like a k-pot without the 'fritz' flare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Username Posted May 16, 2017 Share #11 Posted May 16, 2017 Very interesting. Incredibly similar to the vests used by the Rhodesian Fireforce in the Bush war. I wonder if this was their inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerman Posted February 19, 2021 Share #12 Posted February 19, 2021 On 4/25/2017 at 12:52 AM, sgtpeter said: Funny, the boots were the first thing I noticed ... and then the helmet. Kinda looks like a k-pot without the 'fritz' flare. My first thought was also "Well, there go my jewels" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collector Posted April 6, 2021 Share #13 Posted April 6, 2021 Posted this a while ago, it's from a cruise book of my father's, 1957. Looks like there were lots of vest being tested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerman Posted May 17, 2022 Share #14 Posted May 17, 2022 I used to have some USMC cruise books from the 50's. saw some unusual equipment including armor creman helmets. Wish I had kept the info for reference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-E Posted August 20, 2022 Share #15 Posted August 20, 2022 Very interesting topic here ! Are these vests kind of body armor / flak vest or they don't have any ballistic protection in them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC_COLLECTOR Posted August 20, 2022 Share #16 Posted August 20, 2022 I believe they would have used ceramic plates like the M51 and the M55 11 minutes ago, P-E said: Very interesting topic here ! Are these vests kind of body armor / flak vest or they don't have any ballistic protection in them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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