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US Mitchell Pattern Helmet Cover Contract Numbers


Kenny Andrew

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Very handy for identifying Vietnam period helmets.

 

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

 

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Yes we just got in a US A1 helmet and I was quite surprised to find out it was Vietnam period :) the only anomaly I can find through is there is no anchor on the chinstrap according to what I have read all Nam helmets should have this , anyone know if this is the case?

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An A1 helmet, like that PASGT helmet?

 

Problem with US Cold War Helmets is the range is from 1950s through till late 1980s. Army helmets could be put together as parts broke and lasted a really long time. National Guard units would get ex-Army surplus and then do even worse to them through their supply chain. So variety is no surprise. My Helmet is Vietnam Era helmet and liner, later Woodland Camo cover and a heavy cotton chin strap sewn with a chin cup not seen on Infantry models but Paratrooper and some Naval models.

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Yes I think thats the case with our one , liner is Nam period with with the rivets , helmet cover is Nam period marked DSA 100-2157 so late 1965 to early 1966.Helmet shell and chinstrap seem be be devoid of any stamps and markings at all.Inner liner has the name rank and number of a British soldier to the front so I can only guess this helmet was swapped with a US soldier at some point.

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Sure it is British and not Aussie? Aussie's were in Vietnam... British soliders not really. I cannot remember ever reading or studying British forces in Vietnam and a quick search seems to back that up (some bars were added to the GSM though). There probably were observers, advisors and some limited trainers. Possibly using US gear to blend in but association like that would be high speculation to the helmet.

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Australian is a good point , when I said swapped with a British soldier, I meant after Vietnam possibly on some NATO exercise, but his rank is Fusilier did Australia have fusiliers?

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Ah, In that case could be a Vietnam era helmet but swapped with a Brit possibly from British Army of the Rhine... Far more integration there, units under one another's control and annual REFORGER exercises to practice large scale combat operations

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yes that's what I think it is Greg, I'll post some pictures when I get a chance :thumbsup:

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  • 2 months later...

finally got round to adding it to the site, here are the pictures.

2321a.jpg

2321b.jpg

2321c.jpg

2321d.jpg

2321e.jpg

2321f.jpg

2321g.jpg

2321h.jpg

2321i.jpg

2321j.jpg

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Great helmet! If not baffling....

 

Mitchell pattern camo was used through the Korean War and Vietnam Wonky by the US Marines. The CCOY is intriguing and I think is C Coy.... C Company which is part of the Royal Australian Regiment which was in Vietnam. However, a quick look over Austrlian equipment and officially they used US supplied ERDL Camoflage not Mitchell. The DSA mark was used 62-77 In the USA but NATO issuing would not surprise me for the equipment to be issued to Australia.

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cheers Greg, the only problem with that is his rank is Fusilier did Australia have fusiliers? I've done a bit of searching but can't seem to find an answer ,

it is indeed a baffling helmet :)

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I think they did, more likely than any US forces which had no fusiliers

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somebody bought it yesterday, so we will never know, probably belonged to an Australian V.C. winner :lol:

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  • 5 years later...

Here is my Helmet, it has a DSA 100-74-F-U919 Mnpls Soc f/t Blind 1974 cover. The liner has all NOS parts inside. 

IMG_3978.JPG

IMG_3970.JPG

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IMG_3974.JPG

IMG_3975.JPG

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  • 4 weeks later...

Here is a newly acquired cover I got recently. It dates from early 1965. 

s-l1600.jpg

s-l1600 (1).jpg

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  • Kenny Andrew featured this topic
  • 5 months later...

Here is a nice Vietnam Helmet accessory, the PRR-9 Receiver, which was a one way communications device that only allowed to wearer to receive, however it could be paired with the PRT-4 transmitter to allow for 2 way communications. The idea was to allow for orders and commands to be distributed to the troops by these receivers reducing the use of hand signs and runners. The receiver had clips to attach it to the steel helmet, but it could also be worn on the upper part of the suspenders, but with reduced capability. The PRR-9 had an 18 inch antenna and a horn type speaker, however ear phone jack could be plugged in and used as well. One main detraction was the plug in battery was exposed to the elements, causing a lot of issues, and the battery for the receiver and transmitter were a different shape and style. 

In theory it was a interesting idea, however it did not perform as well as expected and was mainly regulated to garrison use, such as security or perimeter duty at main bases or stations. Special forces also used them with a little more success, but they were eventually replaced. An interesting piece of technology. 

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Plug in ear piece

50868906_278375876167399_1264839715161374720_n.jpg

Image showing the receiver on the helmet as well as the handheld transmitter.

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