Holy Grail : real M1 Vietnam combat helmet ?

[Military94]

Hello my Vietnam Friends, just find this helmet...Seems to be "dog of war" period but all DSA number are deleted or impossible to seen...Your first feeling ? model of camo will be a indication or color interieur maybe ?...THANK YOU !!!

[Tank Destroyer]

Nice Vietnam era set. The Mitchell cover has great wear but is it a in-country lid, who knows for sure. Mitchell covers were used post war during basic training and ever day use. Congratulations!!!

Marty

[Anderson]

Once again it's about recognizing there is a difference between "Vietnam era" and "Vietnam war" pieces. That helmet may be Vietnam war era (though DSA deleted numbers suggests someone may be hiding a late 1970's code) and would make a good display for Vietnam era equipment. But if you are wanting Vietnam war relics, they must come with provenance to confirm their history. And provenance is bit more solid than "I got this from a vet."

[Tank Destroyer]

I have multiple CH Vietnam helmets but this is the only one of them with Providence.

Marty

[Military94]

Good news dear Friends ! I just find 2 serial number first in Mitchel Camo, and linner but I can't read liner...Hard to see...What do you thing ? many thanks !

First : Mitchel Camo cover, easy to seen :

[Military94]

second linner serial number...Hard to see year...what do you think ?

[Pauls1970]

Hi mate,
Check this thread out
Intrepreting US Clothing Production Dates Through DA DSA DLA SPO Contract Numbers .
Having just read it, your Mitchell cover was made in 1969 & the headband, 1965.
Regards
Paul

[Military94]

best pic with logiciel I see DSA-1-....

[battle gear]

it's a real Vietnam war era helmet, and it has the look of field use , you will never know if it was used in VN unless you got it directly from the veteran, if it comes from a military surplus store it was most likely used post war for training.

large numbers of VN helmets were released back in the 1980's , surplus stores had stacks of them, Mitchell camo covers were so cheap and plentiful I use to cut them up to make camo strips on other helmets with nets.

[reneblacky]

Contract Number Manufacturer Date Proximity

USMC Project Number 5501 DC & TSC DIR. MFG. 4 February 1959
USMC Project Number 5850 DC & TSC DIR. MFG. 10 December 1959
P.O. No. 5002-62 1962
DSA 1-811-C-62 1962
DSA 1-1940-63-C 1963
DSA 1-3839-64-C 1964
DSA 1-4540-64-C 1964
DSA 1-6600-65-C Late 1964 – 1965
DSA 1-6680-65-C Late 1964 - 1965
Contract No. 5432 1964*
Contract No. 5626 1964*
Contract No. 5654 1964*
Contract No. 5656 1964*
Contract No. 5858 1964*
Contract No. 7005 Late 1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 7057 Late 1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 7219 Late 1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 7332 Late 1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 7882 (this could be a 1-7332 printing error, but the number exists) Late1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 8027 Late 1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 8056 (Twill & Cotton Patterns) Late 1964-Early 1965*
Contract No. 8116 (Twill) Early 1965*
Contract No. 8133 Early 1965*
Contract No. 8189 (Twill) Early 1965*
Contract No. 9005 (Twill & Cotton Patterns) Mid 1965*
Contract No. 9085 Mid 1965*
Contract No. 9196 Mid 1965*
DSA 100-2157 Late 1965-Early 1966
DSA 100-3937 (Twill & Cotton Patterns) Early 1966
DSA 100-67-C-0713 (Twill) Capitol Fur 1967
DSA 100-67-C-3697 1967
DSA 100-68-C-2168 1968
DSA 100-68-C-2188 1968
DSA 100-69-C-0944 1969
DSA 100-69-C-1921 1969
DSA 100-69-F-U992 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1969
DSA 100-70-C-0822 1970
DSA 100-70-C-0823 1970
DSA 100-70-F-V075 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1970
DSA 100-73-F-U289 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1973
DSA 100-74F-U060 (Real Train) Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1974
DSA 100-74-F-U524 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1974
DSA 100-74-F-U919 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1974
DSA 100-75-F-V289 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1975
DSA 100-77-F-U393 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1977

*Current discussion exists on the true date of these covers. Although the contract number dates these pieces to the mid 1960s, several of these models have the deep flap cuts suggesting they are of 1969 or slightly later production.