Artillery set

Unused Body Armor, Ground Troops, Variable Type vest with plates. Size Medium Long. Contract DSA 100-69-C-0548. Perfect unused condition. There is a small tear in the cotton fabric on the inside back see photo.

The vest was tested by the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam from January to May 1967, and although it was too heavy for foot mobile operations, it was recommended for personnel involved in escorting convoys and motorized patrols.

Gas mask case XM 28 in original packaging.

Authentic Vietnam War era boonie hat in ERDL camouflage. The hat is in genuine, used condition, adding to its character.

This is not a standard issue piece – it is marked "BMU-1", referencing the specialized US Navy unit, Beachmaster Unit One. This unit was responsible for managing amphibious landing operations in Vietnam.

• Origin: Original Vietnam War Era

• Camo: ERDL (Leaf Pattern)

• Marking: BMU-1 (Beachmaster Unit One, US Navy)

• Condition: Used, authentic collectible condition

• Size: Fits approximately US 7 to 7 1/4 (approx. 56–58 cm)

Used jacket (Coat, Man's, Camouflage Cotton, Wind Resistant Poplin, Class 2) in ERDL Brown Dominant camouflage. Size Medium Regular. Label with year of manufacture and production missing.

Used pants (TROUSERS, MAN'S, COTTON, WIND RESISTANT). Rip-Stop material. Year of manufacture 1969. Size Medium Long. Trousers have one small hole on the leg. Overall very nice condition.

Used M1956 holster for two magazines for the Colt 1911 pistol. The holster has been repaired, see photo.

Original unused blanket US. Army from the Vietnam War. Blankets are from 1968 and 1970 crates. FSN: 7210-282-7950.

Unused manual insecticide sprayer. Contract DSA-700-67-C-5518/FSN 3740-691-1776. Year of manufacture: 1967.

Used COAT MAN'S CAMOUFLAGE, POPLIN, WIND RESISTANT, RIP-STOP jacket. Size Medium Regular. ERDL Brown Dominant camouflage. USMC marking on the pocket. The jacket is used and has several small holes and a repaired collar.

Used trousers, men's, cotton wind resistant ripstop poplin. Size Small Long. The trousers have one stain on the thigh, see photo. Overall good condition.

This T61-5 body armor, officially designated MIL-A-43197, represents a fascinating chapter in military equipment history. Developed in the mid-1960s, the T61-5 was designed to be a more ergonomic and flexible successor to the older M1952A model. Its innovative construction featured over 100 individual titanium plates, intended to provide superior protection and comfort.

Although it officially became the U.S. Army's standard-issue vest "on paper" in 1965, it never saw widespread adoption in reality. With the escalation of the Vietnam War, the T61-5 proved too expensive and complex to manufacture for mass deployment. The Army instead opted for a simpler, cheaper, updated version of the M1952A (the "3/4 collar" model).

Despite being an Army design, the T61-5 found its primary use elsewhere. It became characteristic equipment for the U.S. Navy's "Brown Water Navy" units operating in the rivers and coastal areas of Vietnam from 1966 onwards. It was also used by some U.S. Army mechanized infantry, armor, and armored cavalry units between 1969-1971.

Key Features:

• Official Designation: MIL-A-43197

• Common Name: T61-5 Composite Armor

• Standard Publication Date: Feb. 10, 1964

• Construction: Composite material with over 100 titanium plates

• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement

• Primary Users: US Navy ("Brown Water Navy"), US Army mechanized units in Vietnam

This vest is an exceptional and rare collector's item, documenting the push for innovation in personal protection during one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.