U.S. Military Kit questions.

[lawrence_n]

This is directed to more to my southern neighbours, though I may get the same info from a fellow canuck. I recently came into possession of some U.S. web gear and I have a few questions. As you will note from the pics, I have a canteen (minus canteen cup) but it seems to have a pressure relief valve in the cap. I've not seen this before and least of all in the gear I was issued when I was in the mob. There's a little pocket on the side of canteen cover. Is it for a small bottle of water purification tabs? On the 3 mag ammo pouch, there are two holders with snaps on each side. What was their purpose? The mags are 30 rnd. standard 5.56, with two being Colt marked AR-15 on the bottom plate and one marked Adventure Line Mfg., but all have the same 5 digit serial number stamped on the side of the mag (62667). The belt itself seems to be nothing out of the ordinary. What era would this stuff be, Vietnam or later? I'm assuming that since the mags are stamped AR-15, they were civilian. Would the milspec mags be stamped M-16? What would this be worth as a package? Any information you gentlemen could give me would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[RCS]

The holders on the sides of the magazine pouch would hold hand grenades or smoke grenades as least that's what the M14 magazine pouch holders (snaps) carried

[browningautorifle]

The canteen was the standard 1 qt that we used as well. The little valve on top had a cap to fit and was for the drinking tube for NBC use. As in the gas mask. Being able to drink without lifting your mask. Yes we had them, unless you were in and out back in the '80s. The pocket on the side would hold your purification tabs, Iodine or which ever one you were issued.

Like RCS says, the two outer pouches on the mag pouch are for M61/M67 type frag grenades. Others may fit.

[lawrence_n]

The canteen was the standard 1 qt that we used as well. The little valve on top had a cap to fit and was for the drinking tube for NBC use. As in the gas mask. Being able to drink without lifting your mask. Yes we had them, unless you were in and out back in the '80s. The pocket on the side would hold your purification tabs, Iodine or which ever one you were issued.

Like RCS says, the two outer pouches on the mag pouch are for M61/M67 type frag grenades. Others may fit.

Thanks you guys! I was in from '71-'76, so I didn't have the fancy kit you guys had. Still the other question remains, any idea of value?

[browningautorifle]

I was in from '74 to '08...I used everything.

[RT Ellis]

The most desirable item is the Case, Small Arms Ammunition, 30-round Magazine. The case with magazine retention flaps was rejected during testing in 1971, but because of the immediate requirement in SEA this item was manufactured as limited standard. It was replaced with a similar magazine case in which the flaps were eliminated and other improvements made in 1972. So this example was limited procurement and should bring a premium price.

The canteen should have a year of manufacture molded into the bottom. The Cap, NBC, M-1 was adopted in 1981. The canteen was inexpensively manufactured in large quantities, was considered expendable, and is very common.

The Canteen Cover, Water, LC-2 was adopted in 1975. If the contract information on the back is legible (DSA or DLA-100-C-(two numbers)-(four numbers) the two numbers represent the fiscal year the contract was negotiated and is roughly the year of manufacture. If the contract was awarded early in the fiscal year the item may well have been manufactured in the current calendar year. For example a fiscal year1988 (July 1, 1987-June 30, 1988) contract the item may have been manufactured during the last six months of 1987 or later. Sometimes contractors were awarded additional work and the contract continued for a few years past the fiscal year. In any case a very common item and more useful to hikers than collectors.

The Belt, Individual Equipment LC-1 was adopted in 1975 and replaced with Belt, Individual Equipment LC-2 (plastic buckle) in 1982.

I am not a collector so cannot estimate current market value. As previously mentioned the ammunition case is a very desirable item, and should bring a good price properly identified.

Suggest "American Web Equipment 1967-1991" by Monroe and Pickrall for history and identification of U.S. individual field equipment of the era.

[lawrence_n]

The most desirable item is the Case, Small Arms Ammunition, 30-round Magazine. The case with magazine retention flaps was rejected during testing in 1971, but because of the immediate requirement in SEA this item was manufactured as limited standard. It was replaced with a similar magazine case in which the flaps were eliminated and other improvements made in 1972. So this example was limited procurement and should bring a premium price.

The canteen should have a year of manufacture molded into the bottom. The Cap, NBC, M-1 was adopted in 1981. The canteen was inexpensively manufactured in large quantities, was considered expendable, and is very common.

The Canteen Cover, Water, LC-2 was adopted in 1975. If the contract information on the back is legible (DSA or DLA-100-C-(two numbers)-(four numbers) the two numbers represent the fiscal year the contract was negotiated and is roughly the year of manufacture. If the contract was awarded early in the fiscal year the item may well have been manufactured in the current calendar year. For example a fiscal year1988 (July 1, 1987-June 30, 1988) contract the item may have been manufactured during the last six months of 1987 or later. Sometimes contractors were awarded additional work and the contract continued for a few years past the fiscal year. In any case a very common item and more useful to hikers than collectors.

The Belt, Individual Equipment LC-1 was adopted in 1975 and replaced with Belt, Individual Equipment LC-2 (plastic buckle) in 1982.

I am not a collector so cannot estimate current market value. As previously mentioned the ammunition case is a very desirable item, and should bring a good price properly identified.

Suggest "American Web Equipment 1967-1991" by Monroe and Pickrall for history and identification of U.S. individual field equipment of the era.

Mr. Ellis, you are great! That's exactly the kind if information I was seeking. Up here, it may be worth less than in the U.S.A. unless I find someone who is very interested in U.S. kit. I didn't figure on the canteen being worth much and I still have my old one from my service days, along with my issue belt. I love the gear for hunting and outdoors work.
I would much appreciate your patience with another question. Would the canteen not have come with an integral canteen cup? If so, that particular piece of kit is missing.

[browningautorifle]

Yes the canteen came issued with a cup.

By the way since you're desperate to find out what things are worth, the 30 rd mags are worth 10 years imprisonment each if they still hold 30 rds. Check to see if they have a pop rivet installed to limit them to 5...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

By the way since you're desperate to find out what things are worth, the 30 rd mags are worth 10 years imprisonment each if they still hold 30 rds.

[lawrence_n]

By the way since you're desperate to find out what things are worth, the 30 rd mags are worth 10 years imprisonment each if they still hold 30 rds. Check to see if they have a pop rivet installed to limit them to 5...[/QUOTE]
Thank you, I'm fully aware of the asinine magazine restrictions on centrefire rifles. These seem to be blocked at 5 rnds.