Vietnam Flak jacket

[27Division18]

I am not extremely well-versed in Vietnam gear so was wondering if anyone could fill me in about this Flak jacket? Appears to be an M-1955 but I am not sure what pattern etc? I also don't see a maker or year of manufacture. Appears to be made of a kind of Nylon-like material, I would guess. Any info would be helpful;. Thanks.

[Concernedfuturedogface]

From what I can see, you appear to have the 3rd pattern of the m1955 vest. M1955 replaced the m1952A flak vest and was used mostly by the Marine Corps. Those two vest were the most common vests used by troops before the m69 flak vest.

Hope this helps

V/r

CFD


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[27Division18]

31 minutes ago, Concernedfuturedogface said:

From what I can see, you appear to have the 3rd pattern of the m1955 vest. M1955 replaced the m1952A flak vest and was used mostly by the Marine Corps. Those two vest were the most common vests used by troops before the m69 flak vest.

Hope this helps

V/r

CFD


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Thanks a lot. Is it unusual for it not to have a maker or date? Does it look original to you? Thank you again.

[Concernedfuturedogface]

I personally wouldn't know how to date a flack vest, but as I've never seen a reproductuon of the m1955.

Also considering the second pattern was manufactured til the 1980s, it may be post-vietnam

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[27Division18]

Thanks again for the info.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Although this is often erroneously called the "3rd pattern" by collectors they are actually damaged vests that were repaired by the 3rd Force Service Regiment in Okinawa who contracted a few Okinawan companies to do the work.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Oh and btw there are several repro makers but so far they are either honest or not good enough to pass as original.

[jerry_k]

On 9/22/2020 at 8:31 PM, Cap Camouflage Pattern I said:

Although this is often erroneously called the "3rd pattern" by collectors they are actually damaged vests that were repaired by the 3rd Force Service Regiment in Okinawa who contracted a few Okinawan companies to do the work.

What do you mean repaired? This vest is different pattern than 1st and 2st. It is made from nylon outside. So this vest it 1 or 2 pattern repaired and re sewed in nylon coat? Hmm?

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Damaged armor was shipped from RVN to 3rd FSR who salvaged undamaged ballistic nylon yokes and doron plates. They had local Okinawan companies assemble them into vests with new fabric, snaps, and zippers. Repairing the vests was around a quarter of the cost of manufacturing a vest new. 

[conn]

the vest looks like it has the rifle sling keeper on both shoulders

 

was this done on the salvaged rebuild models only ?

 

i have had a number of mint ones from Korea war and vietnam, never saw sling keepers on both sides of these, only seen them on beat up vest

 

can anyone verify it was on only rebuilds ?

 

thank you

 

semper fi

[jerry_k]

On 9/27/2020 at 12:52 PM, Cap Camouflage Pattern I said:

Damaged armor was shipped from RVN to 3rd FSR who salvaged undamaged ballistic nylon yokes and doron plates. They had local Okinawan companies assemble them into vests with new fabric, snaps, and zippers. Repairing the vests was around a quarter of the cost of manufacturing a vest new. 

Thanks for info. that is interesting theory. I was very very long time in VN USMC subject and always was thinking that is another model of USMC flak vest...

 

Cheers,

Jerry