Dated 1967 USMC M-1955 Armored Vest (Flak Jacket) Used in Vietnam Size XL

This is a United States Marine Corps M-1955 armored vest, or Armor, Body, Fragmentation Protective; Upper Torso (W/Collar, M-1955), aka "flak jacket". Used by the Marine Corps in Vietnam, the M-1955 weighs about 10 pounds. This model replaced their M-1952 body armor, developed during the Korean War. The vest has a zip front closure with a snap-up placket beneath, a breast pocket, a cartridge belt holder for attaching equipment and a rifle guard over the right shoulder. The vest used by all branches, especially by helicopter door gunners.

Circa 1967.

Size XL. Vest is approximately 20" (armpit to armpit), 20-1/2" (across back shoulder to shoulder) and about 20" from base of collar to bottom of waistband.

Cotton/nylon, Doron inserts.

Zipper, snap placket beneath, rivets on belt.

IMPORTANT ARMOR, BODY, FRAGMENTATION PROTECTIVE; UPPER TORSO (W/COLLAR, M-1955) (warning paragraph to take vest wearing seriously) IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE! U.S. MARINE CORPS SIZE EXTRA LARGE STOCK NO. 8470-576-4193 KAYDE MANUFACTURERS INC. CONTRACT NO. M00150-67-C-0755 EX-L; CONMAR on zipper.

This is from a United States Marine Corps collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VBEX04 L/SAFEX3/12

7- (Very Fine-): The vest has some scattered spots of light to medium wear, especially on rifle guard.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.