Original U.S. Vietnam War Era 1967-Dated M5 Helicopter / Vehicle Mounted Riot Control Agent Disperser Overhauled in 1984 with M9 Agent Disperser Wand - Used by 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam
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Original Item. Only One Available. “Agents, Riot control agents, or water can be used to distract, deter, or disable disorderly people. Usually their effects are temporary and disappear within minutes of exposure. The choice of whether to use a particular riot control agent or water in a given situation is based on the physical characteristics of the target area. Weather, especially wind, affects the employment of riot control agents and water. Planning is essential for the successful use of riot control agents. The plans must be flexible to accommodate changes in the situation and the weather. Above all, strict accountability and control of the employment of riot control agents is a must. Riot control agents are employed only when the task force commander specifically authorizes their use. Employment must be strictly controlled. Every instance of employment must be duly reported. Other planning factors are the cause, nature, and extent of a disturbance and the crowd's demeanor and intent. Based on an analysis of these factors, the commander makes an estimate of the situation. The estimate must be as thorough as time permits. Using the estimate, the commander considers courses of action, selects riot control agents, and determines munitions needs. The main factors in choosing a course of action are the desired effects, the crowd's demeanor and intent, the weather, and the types of munitions available.”
This is an outstanding offering, an M5 Riot Control Agent Disperser, in the Helicopter/Vehicle mounted configuration. The original data plate reads:
DISPERSER, RIOT CONTROL AGENT,
HELICOPTER OR VEHICLE MOUNTED, M5
SERIAL NO. 321605
STOCK NO. 1040-805-3019
CONTRACT NO. DAAA15
US 67-C-0408
This dates the contract to 1967, perfect for possible Vietnam War issue. The operations in which the 1st Cavalry Division used these were in 1966, but this is still a great representative example that would look the part in a museum. We were able to find in an unclassified Army document:
“Use of Bulk CS-1: The 1st Cav. Div. dispensed 2,000 pounds of bulk CS-1 during Operation THAYER, BYRD, and PAUL REVERE IV using a helicopter mounted M5 Riot Control Agent Disperser”
This example has several different dates on different components, including 1967 on the mount, 1968 on the M9 Disperser wand, and 1970 on the pressure tanks, but the entire set was overhauled at LEAD in August 1984, LEAD likely refers to the “Letterkenny Army Depot” in Pennsylvania.
The set consists of the ring-mounted disperser with two pressure tanks, the housing with pressure gauges and a red valve, the disperser tube, and the M9 Agent Disperser Wand. The wand’s data plate reads:
GUN, PORTABLE RIOT CONTROL
AGENT DISPERSER M9
SERIAL NO. 441-2648
STOCK NO. 1040-771-4557
CONTRACT NO. DAAA15-68-C-0425
US
The contract date for the wand is 1968. The trigger still pulls and the safety still functions. There is wear to the paint but the back attachment appears to function, but we haven’t tested connecting the tube and wand. The tube is in a roll and is rather stiff, so we haven’t attempted to unfurl it or connect it either way.
The aluminum frame and fittings appear intact, but the agent tank, which would have towered high above the rest of the mount, is absent. It is still a tremendous set that measures roughly 38” tall, and the base ring is about 23 ½” in diameter.
A tremendous set for any Vietnam War or 1st Cavalry Division collection.
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