Official thread for Vietnam War equipment

I figured to start this thread. It would be consisted of M1956, M1961, and M1967.

The goal is to show comparisons in equipment and to show how to set up the equipment properly, etc.... Basically an dummy's guide to VN equipment.

Basic M1956 web gear.



There are two different styles of ammo pouches. left is 1st pattern and right is 2nd pattern, the difference is eyelets.


Since those are Universal ammo pouches, It can keep four M1 clips, three M-14 magazines. As you can see, M-16 magazines don't fit in very well because pouches are too deep. According to vietnamgear, soldiers usually stuff sock in bottom to keep magazines near top for easy grab.

M1967 equipment was introduced to US. Military in 1967 but however, it is known that they started to use them in late war at 1969.



It is basically a birth to LC-2 equipment that was issued back in late 1970's-2000's. The huge difference between M1956 and M1967 is they started to use Nylon. Canvas equipment isn't ideal for wet environment in Jungle. It was said that Canvas could shrink a bit when get wet. Aother good thing about Nylon is it's much lighter and easier to open ammo pouches. Universal pouches were no more. They made pouches to fit four M-16 20 rounds magazines and another pouches to hold 30 rounds magazines (Soldiers especially SF, LRRP, Rangers, etc... started to private purchase 30 round magazines in late war and had been using canteen pouches to hold them so Natick Lab developed pouches for 30 rounds).

Comparison between M1956 and M1967 equipment.






However, it is never known to see soldier in full M1967 equipment. Usually mixture with older equipment.


Seal on far left has M1967 pouches.



M1967 M16 cleaning pouch. I have never seen soldiers wearing it on their rig but however, it is either in rucksack or clipped on it.

I didn't get around to taking pictures today, sorry. Is there any items people would like me to do tomorrow for a main focus? I was going to do Marine 61 gear.

Let me know.

Justin, do it. You have more MINT examples you should share. Post your M1961, and M1956 shorty pouches, etc....

Basic USMC M1961 rig. Usually consisted of Korean War equipment such as canteen and covers. The rig is usually worn under M1955 flak vest. The suspenders would be set low so they could access to pouches.



Although ammo pouches are made for M14, many Marines continued to use them when they replaced m14 to M16.



Variety in Jungle 1st Aid pouches. They used WWII/KW issue pouches as well. First two are WWII dated, 1945. The last one is Vietnam dated. Note the difference in stamping.



Medical supplies inside Jungle 1st Aid kit.

palm to face! I have all the photos I just need to upload them!

The Marine Haversack, the one of the left is dated 1967 Marine, the one of the left is dated 1945 USMC, both used in Vietnam by Marines

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_10_2009/msg-2305-1255129036.jpg

This is what the haversack typically looked like, poncho rolled up in it, and e - tool over the poncho

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_10_2009/msg-2305-1255129040.jpg

The ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam pack, made by the US, it looks like the US issue tropical rucksack, but it's made of cotton, and has two outer pockets, not three. X frame ruck.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_10_2009/msg-2305-1255129056.jpg

Ruck without shovel

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_10_2009/msg-2305-1255129075.jpg