Bigrob1911:   What you have is the wooden clip holder (my term) designed to fit into the Clip Loading Machine.  The wooden holder and the half moon clips themselves were manufactured by Smith & Wesson for use with their Model of 1917 .45 revolvers supplied to the U.S. military in WW1.  At the request of the government S&W agreed to allow Colt to use the half moon clip with its own Model of 1917 .45 revolver.  The clip and the loading machine were developed by Joseph H. Wesson, the son of the company's founder D.B. Wesson.  He applied for a patent on the machine in August, 1917.  The patent application was approved in 1919 and U.S. Patent No. 1,291,322 was issued.  It is indeed an ingenious device.  I have never seen one firsthand.   I have seen examples of the wooden clip holder with clips on it at Meetings of the S&W Collectors Association.  They pop up occasionally and are of interest to both martial arms collectors and those with an interest in S&W arms.   Regards, Charlie

Yes he is, we had the talk on this remember.      

So in a strange coincidence, I was at another one of my local stops yesterday after work and mentioned my find from this thread to the manager. He said that sounded awesome, and that he had an odd trainer in the back. Out he comes with ANOTHER M65. His example has been pretty heavily modified after USMC issue and surplus (SN 37XX). The stock was relieved at the wrist; both swivels were removed and replaced with QD sling brackets; the rear peep sight was gone, and the barrel had been dovetailed about 8” in front of the receiver with a buckhorn rear sight soldered in. Too far gone for me to mess with, but what are the odds of two in a week? Wow. 

M1C liner for reference dated 67   linkhttps://www.m1militaria.co.uk/epages/shop.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/shop/Products/2200&Locale=en_GB

Some more photos, As mentioned before the text is heavy mostly illegible, but can guess based on other examples. A date of Possibly "May6??" I found a similar liner on the net it is dated MAY 1967.     The chinstrap is 4 hole and looks like a lighter shade than the rest of the webbing of the helmet (OD#3?) No visible markings        

Need some help on this one! Is it authentic? Is the patch newly added? The good old AI bots want me to ask you all!   Thanks as always! Shannon

Very cool - and scarce - revolver, Lyle.  I have only seen one or two over the years and they have always been very expensive.  Congrats on having a fine example in your collection.   Regards, Charlie

You’re welcome.  I agree, as scarce as hen’s teeth.

Taken at Colt State Park, Bristol R.I. probably early to mid 90's.  Combination here of two units.  The 2nd R.I. Vol. and the 9th MA Vols.  

Yeah, I dont think it would even be authorized to carry. But then again I've heard from vets that back in the early 2000s, equipment worn in combat wasn't strictly regulated like it is today. But more of a souvenir then used equipment. But I only paid $4 so I can't really complain.