new find: Vietnam War gear

[burb1989]

Hey again everyone. I have assembled a lot of my dad's gear to display alongside some other items from his time in war. I already had his etool that didn't have its cover and his duffle bag when I started collecting. Just the other day while I was organizing my many pieces of militaria I picked up the bag only to feel something at the bottom. When I looked inside I couldn't see anything so I felt around and discovered that there was a homemade pouch that still had something inside. When I opened it there was a bundle of things wrapped in newspaper. Among them were some more surrender leaflets, some money, two field first aid kits, and the biggest score was the cover for my dad's etool. When I showed him everything I found he was surprised that stuff was still in there. He told me the last time he saw those things was when he packed up his duffle bag to leave for the states in 1968 and forgot to look in his bag when he got back. Now thanks to that discovery I have several pieces for a Vietnam War display and also thanks to my dad for keeping these items long enough for me to enjoy them for many years to come.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Great story. Let us see the display when complete.

[burb1989]

I sure will. The hardest part to display will probably be the surrender leaflets, which are in pretty worn shape. They're just so brittle that I don't want to risk tearing them. Of course I will have to find a way to display the duffle bag as well as a sword and artwork my dad bought on leave in Bangkok in 1967.

[kosmolinekid]

My boss gave me his footlocker years ago since he knew I was a collector. He had his Class A's and some uniform parts and sets in it. He had 2 pairs of type 1 or 2 Jungle Utility Trousers in Very Good condition AND 2 sets of Vietnamese Tigers in Mint condition ! He asked me if I wanted them uh Yeah ! Unfortunately the Tigers are Asian Medium which means it will fit a 10 year old boy. I wish I had those sets of "Flower Power" ERDL uniforms we bought back in the 80s . They used to be all over the place but now went to Collector Heaven . They do make Repros though . Check out Moore's Militaria they have some neat stuff.

[burb1989]

I wish my dad still had his greens. My grandmother had given them away to a thrift store sometime in the 80s. My dad also lost his dog tags from the war during one of his many moves across the country. Luckily for me he has so much other stuff I could live without those things. We just discovered a Vietcong flag he had taken on a raid stored in his old softball league bag which has been in every attic he ever lived in since 1984 (surprised the dang bag hasn't worn away to dust by now seeing as how he's stored it poorly).

[Jim]

You know, it's hard to picture this stuff as having entered the realm of "collectible."

I was lucky enough not to go to 'Nam but I'm a 'Nam era vet" and this stuff is/was just our every day gear.
When did I get this d--- old?!
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Here's to all your Dad's who went.
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My dad was WWII (The tall fellow on the right.)...
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I guess it happens to us all. Sorry for the ot. It just sort of hit me that way when I saw the topic title...

[Bill Hollinger]

Jim, that looks like Camp "Bob".

[RudyN]

Sure looks like Camp "Bob" to me also

[Jim]

Don't know about "Camp Bob". It's Ft. Jackson, S.C.

[burb1989]

My dad when he came back was stationed at Beaufort where he not only was a lifeguard at the Marine Corps pool but was on riot control for the soldiers coming home to all of the protests. Luckily my dad never had to experience the mobs of angry people when he came back. "Just a few" he told me once.