{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-era-service-worn-m69-flak-vest-body-armor-in-size-small-by-rachman-mfg-co-dated-1970","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Service Worn M69 Flak Vest Body Armor in Size SMALL by Rachman Mfg. Co. - Dated 1969","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service-worn original U.S. Vietnam War-era \u003cstrong\u003eArmor, Body, Fragmentation Protective, With 3\/4 Collar\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured under a \u003cstrong\u003e1969 fiscal-year contract\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eRachman Manufacturing Company\u003c\/strong\u003e and marked Size \u003cstrong\u003eSmall.\u003c\/strong\u003e This zipper-front, snap-flap configuration represents the late development of the 3\/4-collar fragmentation vest immediately preceding the formally designated M-69 pattern and is commonly grouped with M69 flak vests by collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidely used by Army infantry, Navy sailors and Marines also were equipped with these, though not widely. Like its predecessor M-1952A, it was fabricated from 12 plies of ballistic nylon, to protect the wearer from explosion fragments. In fact, the name “M69” is the 1969 version of this series body armor’s model (ARMOR, BODY FRAGMENTATION PROTECTIVE, WITH ¾ COLLAR). This example differs from the normal M69 as there are snap closures instead of the velcro used in the official M69. Since this series of body armor are similar to each other, people refer to all of them by “M69”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example still retains both labels, the first reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSIZE SMALL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8470-122-1299\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eARMOR, BODY, FRAGMENTATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePROTECTIVE, WITH ¾ COLLAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDSA-100-69-C-2579\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRACHMAN MFG. CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis indicates it was manufactured in 1969 by the Rachman Manufacturing Company.  The bottom instruction label reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eARMOR, BODY FRAGMENTATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePROTECTIVE, WITH 3\/4 COLLAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis armor may save your life! When properly worn, it will\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtect vital areas against shell and grenade fragments which\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCause most combat casualties.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINSTRUCTIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. WEAR ARMOR OVER SHIRT AND UNDER FIELD JACKET\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Adjust side laces to make armor fit the body but still\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eprovide proper ventilation. Do not fit too tightly.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3. Use protective flaps to cover opening under side laces\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eand slide fastener. Protect slide fastener by fastening snap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eclosure.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4. DO NOT DRY THE ARMOR NEAR AN OPEN FLAME.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cstrong\u003eSize Small marking, Rachman Manufacturing Company attribution, Fiscal Year 1969 DSA contract, zipper-and-snap front closure, 3\/4 collar, surviving instruction label, and service-worn condition\u003c\/strong\u003e makes this an excellent representative example of the U.S. Army's evolving fragmentation-protection equipment during the Vietnam War. Its construction documents the transition between the earlier M1952A-derived 3\/4-collar vest and the formally designated Velcro-front M-69 pattern that followed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45736368832581,"sku":"ONSV24SOS027","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/7DEB9C90-5F7F-4CF0-AFE9-91328E9B3499.jpg?v=1789152990","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-era-service-worn-m69-flak-vest-body-armor-in-size-small-by-rachman-mfg-co-dated-1970","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}