M-65 Field Jacket from Operation EAGLE CLAW

[Grand58742]

Yep, SOG did the same thing back in VN. Took what they had and modified it locally. If you read Plasters books on the group he discusses uniform modifications and how they repurposed M-14 magazine pouches for grenades and things like that.

And this is really what drove the creation of Blackhawk gear, former military guys who decided to make the stuff they wish they had.

I was told at one point a lot of the Vietnam era Rangers (Lima Company Ranger types) that most of the guys that were issued pistols over there had a leather holster crafted locally with a thumb strap instead of the flap. I guess they didn't take to the flap style holster that was still issued for the 1911 and desired something more functional, i.e., easier to get at when you really need it.

One has to think a lot of non-issue pistols probably had the same type of holsters if they were carried. I know Hi-Powers were used pretty frequently by Special Operations types and one has to assume functional holsters were probably in high demand and sourced locally. Same might go for the other "non-standard" weapons carried by those guys at the time like the Swedish m/45. Here's an interesting take on an M-3 Grease Gun mag setup reportedly used in Vietnam:



Sorry for the thread drift, but I've always found it interesting that in the absence of actual kit designed for a desperately needed purpose, our military has gone out and created (or had someone create) exactly what they needed.

[Sam]

More thread drift. Captain Kenneth Bowra and one of his little fighters (either Montagnard or Cambodian). The Captain had a homemade AK chest rig for his AR. Love those XM guns.

[Slater]

K-Mart boots. Who knew?

[SteyrAUG]

I was told at one point a lot of the Vietnam era Rangers (Lima Company Ranger types) that most of the guys that were issued pistols over there had a leather holster crafted locally with a thumb strap instead of the flap. I guess they didn't take to the flap style holster that was still issued for the 1911 and desired something more functional, i.e., easier to get at when you really need it.

One has to think a lot of non-issue pistols probably had the same type of holsters if they were carried. I know Hi-Powers were used pretty frequently by Special Operations types and one has to assume functional holsters were probably in high demand and sourced locally. Same might go for the other "non-standard" weapons carried by those guys at the time like the Swedish m/45. Here's an interesting take on an M-3 Grease Gun mag setup reportedly used in Vietnam:



Sorry for the thread drift, but I've always found it interesting that in the absence of actual kit designed for a desperately needed purpose, our military has gone out and created (or had someone create) exactly what they needed.

For years the Army had been using more or less that same shit that was used in WWII simply because they still had a LOT of it. Pretty much everyone who was in any kind of different unit that allowed modifications of gear did it.

They only need to get shot at once to think...GODDAM I need my extra mags to be RIGHT HERE next time and there was an entire cottage industry in VN that would make you whatever you needed. Most Rangers, LRRPs, SOG guys etc. were wearing Mamasan brand uniforms and gear.

[CRAMBONE]

Why were they made to turn in the M65 jackets?

[SteyrAUG]

Why were they made to turn in the M65 jackets?

Probably opsec, preventing the Unit from being identified by enemy agents based upon their custom black Rit dyed M-65s. I seriously laughed out loud with the comment about Fayetteville public washings machines being permanently dyed black.

Around the same time we were doing that using Rit dye to make our brown belts black and to make our white uniforms black. Of course everything actually ended up being a dark, dark gray but whatever.

[mark5pt56]

For you history buffs, Mike Noell was known for copying gear, especially Eagle. He is also known to do what a poster mentioned, "take" a design, modification, etc. and make it for production. Yeah, I had a nice off side gear pouch made for me in which showed up in his line up. LBT (Doug M) on the other hand would make sure you had sometime of compensation and had a cool gun room to boot!
And yes I can offer a more complete history on these two. A lot of the team guys would know a good Rigger, learn themselves or bring stuff into LBT for mods.

[Slater]

In colder climates, the M65's button-in liner was great. There was also an optional cold weather hood that you could button on, but it had that stupid white fake fur on it that deteriorated pretty fast.

[Grand58742]

A lot of the team guys would know a good Rigger, learn themselves or bring stuff into LBT for mods.

That's pretty much how Tactical Tailor was started as well, no? At least from the conventional side.

[chuckman]

For years the Army had been using more or less that same shit that was used in WWII simply because they still had a LOT of it. Pretty much everyone who was in any kind of different unit that allowed modifications of gear did it.

They only need to get shot at once to think...GODDAM I need my extra mags to be RIGHT HERE next time and there was an entire cottage industry in VN that would make you whatever you needed. Most Rangers, LRRPs, SOG guys etc. were wearing Mamasan brand uniforms and gear.

Tiger stripe was never "approved" by the Big Military, and never made for US forces. Those were entirely made in VN (in that time). There were several variations of that uniform.

A lot of the gear was the same: "hey local vendor, I need you to make xxxxx for me."

Re: contemporary gear, there were a couple upholstery shops around Jacksonville/Lejeune where we'd get stuff modified.