MOLLE/MOLLE II Rucks

[rodteague]

Below are two photos of my current collection. According to my research I believe I have examples of every variant as issued by the US Army, excluding proto-types and MOLLE 4000. However, that being said, we all know that “issued gear” can be somewhat fluid. I intend to discuss each item, provide the NSN and contract numbers; as well as the various manufacturers involved. We will also delve into which branches utilized each of the variants. There are clues, according to contract numbers and camo patterns, but I can’t be sure. This is where I hope USMF can give insight and bridge the gaps in the MOLLE/MOLLE II ruck story, beginning to end.

 

BTW, if there is a thread already covering this topic, please point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance

 

Regards

Rod

 

 

[GUDMAR1975]

That will be an helpful reference when completed. I look forward to seeing it.

[rodteague]

57 minutes ago, GUDMAR1975 said:

That will be an helpful reference when completed. I look forward to seeing it.

Thank you, I hope that it will become a good reference. 
 

This is my 3rd post as a newbie; not sure how many days or hours before I can post again. Once I can post I’ll discuss the first MOLLE ruck, aka; the Rifleman Pack.

 

Regards

Rod

[pwcosol]

Oh golly miss Molle...will be looking forward to your in-depth examination of this gear! I have a NOS original Molle (1) set-up and most of a Molle II. Think I got the early set at the Oceanside Swapmeet (just outside Camp Pendleton). Don't know if I can be of any help, but happy to post photos, etc. if it adds to the database...

[rodteague]

Before we dive into the MOLLE/MOLLE II rabbit hole; let's first address several items and dispel any myths and misconceptions regarding frames.  Many no doubt have seen advertisements that label the frames as being Gen 1, 2, 3 or 4. This is a gross over simplification; because, if my math serves me correctly, the frame has had 9 variations within 3 separate model-part number designations. The MOLLE/MOLLE 2 frame has undergone 4 structural variations, 2 utility variations and 3 cosmetic variations. I understand why retailers of surplus would over simplify the frame designation; however as collectors we should have a deeper understanding of the militaria that we are collecting. Agreed? Lets begin by closely examining each model.

 

1601 (MOLLE)

 

The 1601 has the unfortunate position of being the first and last MOLLE frame. It suffered many failures, some catastrophic. It came in black only and has the prominent knuckle at the base; which sat in a coupler attached to the MOLLE waist belt. This combination allowed the ruck to pivot away and behind the soldier for quick detachment from the waist belt. That function worked reasonably well; it was the abrupt stop when it hit the ground that left many a solider with a broken frame. If he/she were lucky they might be able to service the fractured frame; more often than not, it just simply wasn't the case. The second issue was mounting the ruck back into the coupler.... by yourself. Mounting the ruck to the GI became a two man job, and the pack was notorious for "jumping out" of the coupler which accounted for significantly increased back injuries. On the surplus market there are very few that have survived, and are the most undesirable of the MOLLE/2 family of frames. Unless, you want to build a MOLLE ruck "as issued"; pristine specimens can still be had. I have included pics below. The Close up has the date of mfg.  One circle for the year and the other for the month. The NSN is located on the opposite side of the frame. Beginning with the 1602 frame the Location and information changes slightly; I'll cover that on the next post. 

 

MFG: Down East Inc.

P/N 1601

NSN 8465--01-465-2158

Date of MFG: 06/2000

 

 

My next post will cover the 1602 frame

 

Regards 

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

 

[rodteague]

1602 (MOLLE II)

 

MOLLE II brought significant utility changes to the overall system, including the frame. The 1602 saw increased rigidity (in 2 phases) and the addition of 20 attachment slots in the center of the frame. It also lost the infamous "knuckle at the bottom. The waist belt was no longer "integral" to both the frame and the MOLLE LBV.  It is now only used with the ruck. Other changes occurred with the gear, but will be discussed later in another post. The 1601 has 60 (30 on each side) attachment slots that run parallel to each other and perpendicular to the right and left side of the frame. Three slots each on the right and left, top ears; and three larger slots horizontal to the base. The 1602 kept all of the 1601 slots, but gained 20 more on newly widened, center vertical supports. Reinforcement ridges were also added to both the front and back sides of the frame.

 

Later, the 1602(version 1) received a slight upgrade with additional reinforcement ridges to front and back; and the top ears were filled in on both sides. Both versions were made in black only; and both were issued with MOLLE II. Both share the same part number "1602". All 3 frames, 1601, 1602 and 1602 ver2; share the same NSN. The  mfg  information in the 2 circles changed with the 1602. One circle now contains the month and year of manufacture; and the other indicates the run number of manufacture month. The 1602 pics below demonstrate all the 1602 changes side by side. 

 

MFG: Down East Inc.

P/N 1602

NSN 8465-01-465-2158

Date of mfg: 02/2002; run 2

DOM v2: 02/2003; run 2

 

 

 

 

 

[rodteague]

1603 MOLLE II

 

MFG: Downeast Inc.

P/N: 1603

NSN: 8654-01-519-6440 Tan 499

         8465-01-524-8368 Foliage Green 504

 DOM: 2003 to date (2023)         

 

 

Before we discuss the 1603 frame a time line should be established for the approximate start and stop dates of manufacture for all the MOLLE frames.

 

1601- Started manufacture in 1997; tested and issued in 1998 and stopped manufacture in 2000

1602- V1 started manufacture and issued in 2000 last year of issue and mfg appears to be 2002.

           V2 started manufacture in 2002 and ended in early to mid 2003

1603- Started manufacture in 2003 and with one variable; the Tan 12 cleat version stopped production in 2005. The Foliage Green 6 cleat version continues to date(2023)

 

Camo Pattern reference for future discussion

 

WCP- Woodland Camo Pattern

DCP- Desert Camo Pattern

UCP- Universal Camo Pattern

OCP- Operational Camo Pattern (Multi-cam; Scorpion)

 

As you might surmise, the Tan 1603 frame was issued 2 years earlier than the Foliage 1603. This in large part due to the continued use of the MOLLE/MOLLE II DCP main ruck with SSC. The tan version had 12 cleats incorporated into the frame which was driven by the USMC. By 2005 all production had stopped with the Tan 12 cleat frame because the USMC had adopted the ILBE and later the FILBE. The US Army adopted the UCP MOLLE Lg ruck and didn't see the need for the extra cleats. From 2006 to date the Foliage 1603 has only 6 cleats incorporated in the frame. Below you can see the differences in the two 1603 frame.; For practical and functional purposes they are the same frame with different color and NSN assignments. There are no Generation I, II, III or IV MOLLE/MOLLE II frames by official designation. Only three series of MOLLE frames, one discontinued completely, and the other two had five versions between them.

 

Best Regards

 

Rod 

 

 

 

[rodteague]

Im having trouble with the pics sorry.

 

[rodteague]

If you look closely you'll see the subtle differences. In my above post I had a grammar error I did not catch:" By 2005 all production had stopped with the Tan 12 cleat frame". It should have read " By the end of 2005...."  It would be nice to have more time to make edits. FWIW

 

 

[rodteague]

As a Prelude to the MOLLE/MOLLE II rucks, this post will contain a training video, ; the MOLLE Care and Use Manual July 1999; and the MOLLE II Care and Use Manual December 2000. My next post will explain the differences between the rucks as they transitioned to MOLLE II.

 

In the early training and deployment of the Molle system; each solder was issued a packet that contained a training video, care and use manual, 5 PALS to ALICE webbing adapters, Nexus buckles/slider repair parts, ALICE clips and 2 Nexus buckle lashing straps. I have the Packet that corresponds to the MOLLE II version.

 

The packets or kits were produced under contract number DAAK60-97-9302; which was the the contract for the early MOLLE/MOLLE II system(s).

 

 

 

I don't have the Packet for the Initial MOLLE system, but do have the MOLLE Care and Use Manual

 

Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment MOLLE Care and Use Manual; Revision July 1999 

 

MOLLECareUse1999 TYPE 1 Ruck.pdf

 

Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment MOLLE II Care and Use Manual

 

molle II_Care_and_Use update TYPE 2 RUCK copy.pdf

 

Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) Care and Use Instructional Video DAAK60-D-9302

 

 

The video title uses (MOLLE) in parentheses; but after watching, it's clear they are demonstrating both MOLLE and  MOLLE II. First, the 1602 frame is utilized, and they demonstrate using a WCP(woodland) universal/canteen pouch, which wasn't available with the initial MOLLE deployment. MOLLE utilized a hydration bladder with pouch which is also pictured.  It's also interesting to note that some of the soldiers are utilizing both ALICE and MOLLE/MOLLE II pouches. Hope you enjoy seeing the USMC and Army Rangers in the video.

 

Best Regards

 

Rod

 

 

 

[rodteague]

MOLLE

 

MOLLE was developed as a joint venture between The USMC and the US Army to replace the aging ALICE system. Initial testing and fielding was done with The Army Rangers and the USMC. The MOLLE ruck was made of 700 denier(D) nylon pack cloth(a considerable upgrade over ALICE 420D), and consisted of 9 components. 1) 1601 frame; 2) Main ruck with integral claymore pouch; 3) Sleep System Carrier(SSC); 4) hip/waist belt, small, medium or large; 5) adjustable padded shoulder harness; 6/7) two sustainment pouches; 8) six magazine bandoleer was included in the pouch; 9) removable radio pouch. The MOLLE Ruck was only manufactured and issued in WCP(woodland). Both the main ruck and the SSC have a cinched storm collar at the top their openings. This was a big departure from most standard military rucks; including ALICE. The MOLLE Ruck was designed to carry as much as 120 lbs of gear. This was 40lbs more than the design of the medium ALICE(80lbs) The waist belt was designed to be part of the MOLLE load bearing vest by using a detachable pivot that engaged a coupler on the back of the waist belt. This in theory, allowed the pack to be ditched quickly, leaving the waist belt attached to the LBV for more support. In practice it proved to be over complicated and was prone to damage to both the system and the soldier. It was not a huge success. The following are the capacity(s) of the MOLLE Ruck. These are actual measured capacities.

 

Main Ruck: 2500 ci

Claymore pouch 400 ci

Sustainment pouch(s) 500 ci each

SSC: 2000 ci

Total: 5900 ci

 

Having storm collars on the SSC and main ruck I was easily able to increase capacity to 6000 ci. and could have gone further; but didn't feel is was realistic. Not bad.

 

MOLLE Rucksack

 

Manufacturer: Specialty Defense Systems(SDS)

Contract Number: DAAK60-97-D-9302*

Assignment date: 1999-05-26

 

Main Ruck: NSN 8645-01-465-2289

SSC: NSN 8645-01-465-2124

Pouch, Radio: NSN-01-465-2057

Pouch, Sustainment(2) NSN 8645-01-465-2152

Shoulder straps/harness: NSN 8645-01-465-2133

1601 pack frame: NSN 8645-01-465-2158

Waistbelt Small: NSN 8645-01-465-2109

Waistbelt Medium: NSN 8645-01-465-2110

Waistbelt Large: NSN 8645-01-465-2111

 

* The second set of numbers in the "Contract Number" are the year the contract was awarded, not the year the items were issued. ie DAAK60-97-D-9302.  1997 was the year the contract was awarded. Manufacture would have generally started that year. Issued dates or "Assignment dates" can be tricky and only refers to the date a item first went into official service. That dosen't mean the item didn't get issued earlier.

 

Below are pics of MOLLE Ruck. I'll include detailed component pics of MOLLE II in my next post