Navy cap/barette blue

Unused M7 Conetta bayonet with used M8A1 scabbard from manufacturer PWH.

Unused original green beret for US. Special Forces. Size 7 1/8. Contract DSA100-68-C-0965. The beret comes from the estate of a Special Forces member named Norton who served in the US. Army from Vietnam to the 1990s.

Unused carrying case for the M-16 rifle bipod.

An original Vietcong outfit brought back from Vietnam by a former member of the Green Berets (Special Forces), along with other artifacts. Redeemed along with part of the estate from the USA. Size corresponds to X-Small. Very interesting collection item.

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.

Used knife from Laos. The blade is made from scraps of aircraft ammunition. The blade length is 275 mm.

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• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement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