I acquired these masks through another collector in exchange for a MkII Diaphragm gasmask. These masks were designed for the Apache Aircraft members and would interface with IHADSS helmet hence the notches on the lenses. Featuring a 3 pronged communication cable ,hand made welds on the eye lenses and airflow restrictor knob to alter the strength of air flowing through the mask, the M43 series was a prime example of a mask facepiece that remained relatively unchanged through its lifespan

Fort Jackson, South Carolina May 9, 2025 Command Sgt. Maj. James M. Cox, 165th Infantry Brigade senior enlisted leader, salutes Col. David Uthlaut, brigade commander, for the first time as the brigade’s senior noncommissioned officer. Cox is no stranger to the brigade having been the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment command sergeant major. (Photo Credit: Robert Timmons)   *NOTE: CSM J. Cox wears the new Master Combat Infantrymen's Badge & redesigned Mountaineer Badge.

it really stinks to lose the older generation of collectors because of the wealth of knowledge that they have about topics. Rest In Peace

HGU-55 as the HGU-56 is a Army helicopter helmet.

The pictures aren’t the best, but they fit just like originals and the look and feel is just perfect.

So ya’ll, these are my latest find, bought these from hardcore vehicle and weapons collector since I’ve been looking for a set of these for ages, I was going to try to find a ww2 imp one or SMW if I was desperate. But these, these are the best and what I wanted. This P41 set was made as a small batch by Harlan Glenn who you may know as the author of 782 gear. He has made by far the best USMC reproductions ever to have existed. These use NOS USMC buttons, the weave is immaculate and the color is pretty solid. The EGA stencil is the best pocket stencil on a repro I have ever seen. The tag even looks good for a repro. Anyways, can’t stress enough how happy I am with these especially with the price I paid. Hope you enjoy!

BayonetM16 ... My guess as to what you have is some kind of factory Frankenstein; it's possible someone parted it together with OKC parts. There were a few guys on eBay doing that. Is your pommel peened or does it screw on. If it's peened, my guess is it was some kind of factory Frankenstein. I don't think it's one of the Chinese clones that are popping up in droves right now, just based on the stampings on the blade, Plus, I saw those weird grips being sold separately in a batch from a guy selling off OKC inventory. Once the factory closed and the inventory procured by the new owners (Servotronics/Blue Ridge Knives) there was all kinds of OKC parts, pieces, blade blanks, frankenstein knives and weird bayonets that hit the auction market that never made it into production.    MilNut ... Cool grabs! That First Fielded prototype is an old Devil Dog since it was a transistional bayonet before the OKC3S became full fielded. That First Fielded Prototype probably has some stories to tell, it has that 'been there, done that' look; Only 500 made and most that were in circulation with the USMC are beat to s**t and thrashed. I suspected less than half 500 have survived before the USMC tossed them into the surplus pool. They were popping up on ebay for a while but it looks like the surplus on these has started to dry up.  

Hi all,   I recently bought a named Air Medal, it was with the incorrect ribbon/brooch, but a guess is its probably Vietnam era. The name on the medal is "Robert L Hutchin" though there looks like a partial "s" at the end of the name, so "Hutchins". What do people think?   A quick search online and I found the following Robert L Hutchins, who died in 2018, and was awarded an Air Medal. Is it his? https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/kalamazoo/name/robert-hutchins-obituary?id=11135548   Many thanks,   Stephen

Who knows? Some kid may of had that given to him and he wanted to walk around with it on his head bragging on how close his dad or grandpaw came. Yes the liner would have been better but at least the helmet wasn't trashed.

Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Carroll, an Iraq War Veteran with the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalionis studying diligently before she is called to go before the board during the U.S. Army Reserve Command Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year “Best Warrior” Competition NCO Board, that Carroll along with 27 other Reserve Soldiers will be doing throughout the week to receive the title of Best Warrior of the Army Reserve at Fort McCoy, Wis., 13-17 July, 2009. Carroll is originally from Aurora, Colo., and is currently working as an intelligence analyst with the 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion located at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. NOTE: Former Wartime SSI  United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command.