Hello!
I would like to show y'all my Vietnam Collection. I have only been collecting this for a short time, but I am really enjoying this a lot more than collecting German Medals, and a lot easier on my wallet. The collection is not that big because I am only 15 and I don't even have a job yet so bare with me.
Here is the tent that I just got today and set up in my backyard. . .
Here is a helmet that I drew on (the cover is post Vietnam war) with the help of my Uncle who was in Vietnam. It has a few sayings on it like "Caca Dau" which in Vietnamese means "I'll Kill you!".
Here is my Field Gear Collection, the Bag on top is an M-1961 buttpack and a half tent is below it. . . .
More photos to follow. . .
Last edited by Tyler Ramsey; 05-01-2005 at 02:30 PM.
That is cool. Yes, the inside of the butt packs are like that. I wore one up untill I got out in 2000. My officers were not happy with it but a little heat never hurt any one.
Thats an excellent grouping. Being a fellow student, I've been collecting since I was 9. It all started with a moth-eaten old USAF EMs cap that I bought in a store in Colorado Springs, CO. I've found ebay to be a great resource in this undertaking. Either way, a nicely assembled grouping!
Hi Tyler;
Here's a few comments on your 1960's gear:
The strap,I recall,was useful for sling-rigging the M-60 mg.
They were also a useful utility strap for just about anything else as it was adjustable.
The "fanny packs' were worn in the early '60's and in airborne units(101st.& 82nd.)every third man carried a sleeping bag(shared by 3 men;before everone got issued an individual bag.)
When the "Alice"(jungle) back pack came out everyone got a sleeping bag.
I always liked the Alice the best and used one well into 1990's because it was smaller than the later issues.Give a soldier a ruck and he will fill it up-no matter how big it is.
In hot weather climate - used a sleeping bag made from parachute nylon;same configuration as a bag but much lighter.A poncho liner went inside if needed.Tried not to sleep on ground in jungle;the jungle hammock nets were used with poncho's rigged close overhead(keeps off rain & dew somewhat.)
LAW's rockets;carried straight up in the field as putting them horizontal under bag flap caused them to get dinged(and would malfunction with ANY rough usage.)
Many taped the straps of their rucks too,particularly excess straps..Some taped a portion of styrofoam(or ground mat)inside the lower portion of ruck to avoid discomfort on long "humps."
Anything inside the ruck affected by water or humidity needed bagging with waterproofing,plastic usually.
Machine gun ammo(among seasoned troops anyway)was not carried draped around the neck Pancho Villa style;tended to get fouled and would jam m.g.'s.
Grenades;eventually were carried in M-14 ammo pouches(bad idea to have pins & spoons subject to being pulled by foilage.
"Drive on rags"(o.d. bandage wrap)usually worn like a neckerchef.Good to wash with or keep sun off neck.
Your display brought back a few recollections...
The last "mystery" strap is in fact half of a pair of M-1944 suspenders. The other half has been cut off (they were attached where they crossed in the back). When these were replaced in the late 1950's I wouldn't be surprised if soldiers found all kinds of uses for them.
My Vietnam Era collection.
Linear Mode
