With Parachutist Helmet production stopped in early 1945, there was a need for M-1C Parachutist Helmets late in the war for the preparation for the Invasion of Japan and you the 11th ABN grabbed up as many helmet liner as they could. This is where many of the "rigger modified" helmet came from. There were also new, factory production Type II liners made between the end of WWII and the early 50's but the 11th ABN and the 82nd still had demand for Type II Parachutist Helmet liners. As a result, contracts were issued to convert existing stock to Type II liners. This helmet set is an example of a Type II Conversion fulfillment piece. The liner is a WWII Capac with steel rivets used for the A yokes and an early lightly marked web chincup. The helmet is factory repainted front seam with light texture vs heavier cork and the ABN chinstraps have green painted hardware. Josh Murray took a look at it and agreed it is a nice, solid example of a Type II Postwar contract fulfillment helmet and is likely a factory matching set with shell and liner. This set came from the estate lot of a retired Navy Seal who served from the early 70's through the 90's. Not sure where he came across it or what the story is, but it came from his storage unit. Learn More

This is a really cool, rare manual from the estate lot of our SEAL CDR. This is an interactive 27 page "manual" that was a handout given at BUDS to introduce SEALS to the "new" M16 rifle. Titled "Introduction & Nomenclature of The US Rifle 5.56MM, M16, M16A1" this booklet has diagrams and vocabulary building exercises. The premise is that you read a paragraph and then fill in the blank. When you get to the end of sections, you take quizzes labeling the parts. The goal is to build familiarity with the names of the working parts of the rifle through repetition. The workbook is in excellent used condition, but the blanks have all been filled in by ENS Nelson who was newly sent to the Naval Amphibious School at Coronado. His name is on the front cover and his hand written answers in pencil are throughout. In the realm of M16 retro collecting as well as SEAL items, this is a cool piece and not something often encountered! Buyer will receive a PDF document that I put together covering the owner's US Navy career. The bio packet includes his Naval Academy Diploma, Commission in the Navy, Promotion to Commander while in Naval Special Warfare Unit Two, ID while serving in the Middle East, a great team pic in boats, and best of all, his hand written application to be a Foreign Service Officer after his retirement. This document has page after page where he outlines his entire career in the Navy to bolster his application as a Foreign Service Officer. Learn More

This is a private purchase Duck Hunter Pattern "Cowboy Hat." This style boonie features a snap on side to allow one side to have the brim snapped in the upright position. This particular hat is really cool with the cheesy" plastic vintage chin cord and a deep crown. The chinstrap is bright green plastic with a leather keeper. The side snap to hold up the brim has pulled out of the hat, but this again is a testament to the use put on the hat. There is a label that says 73/8 but in staying with the owners size, it fits much smaller. I would estimate it to be a 7 to 71/8 lie the others. Like many other SEAL items we currently have listed, this came from the estate of a retired SEAL CDR. The photo in the listing is one of his team photos and you can see this type of hat being worn among the several styles shown. Note the deep crowns in the photo and this hat reflects that style. Buyer will receive a PDF document that I put together covering the owner's US Navy career. The bio packet includes his Naval Academy Diploma, Commission in the Navy, Promotion to Commander while in Naval Special Warfare Unit Two, ID while serving in the Middle East, a great team pic in boats, and best of all, his hand written application to be a Foreign Service Officer after his retirement. This document has page after page where he outlines his entire career in the Navy to bolster his application as a Foreign Service Officer. Learn More

Utility Cover, OD, USN. Officially categorized as "Cap, Utility, Cotton, Sateen OG-107." This is the standard US Navy "cover" used during the Vietnam War and through the 70's before switching to a Poly / Cotton Blend. We found several covers in the estate lot of the SEAL CDR. that we recently acquired. We have two with tags listed separately but this is the only cover that is named specifically to the SEAL from his younger days. On the underneath of the brim, the cover has "LT. NELSON" written. He would later retire as a Commander (O-5) and this would be from his earlier days as a LTJG or LT (O-2 / O-3). The condition is VG used; it has more fading and creasing than the other hats, but clearly it is the cover that he preferred to wear as evidence by the name underneath. I do not know the exact size, but it fits like a smaller cover. I would call it a SMALL maybe a Medium with some shrinkage. Buyer will receive a PDF document that I put together covering the owner's US Navy career. The bio packet includes his Naval Academy Diploma, Commission in the Navy, Promotion to Commander while in Naval Special Warfare Unit Two, ID while serving in the Middle East, a great team pic in boats, and best of all, his hand written application to be a Foreign Service Officer after his retirement. This document has page after page where he outlines his entire career in the Navy to bolster his application as a Foreign Service Officer. Learn More

Marked "Field Pack Cargo" this is the lower pack or "Knapsack" worn beneath the USMC M-41 Haversack when the full transport set is worn. Pack is in excellent to unissued condition and is 1967 dated. Pack is a strong, dark OD with clear ink stamp. Learn More

This is a nice, unissued pair of original M1967 (2nd model) leather combat boots in size 10.5R. Boots show some light storage wear from being in a box but will polish perfectly. The second model leather boots feature the direct molded ripple sole (vs earlier sewn sole). Boots are July 1972 dated and C.I.C. / Genesco Manufacture. Stitched heel cup construction present as well. Vintage leather boots in good sizes have gotten hard to find lately! We only have one pair of the wartime dated boots instock. Learn More

This is a USAF Field Jacket in size Medium Long in OD Green. Overall VG used condition. The coat has some wear through around the collar (see photos) and an L shaped repair at the bottom center (it is hidden when closed and worn). There are some other wear areas here and there, but overall it is a serviceable field jacket with life left. Just used enough you won't feel bad actually wearing it around.. These jackets have an interesting history. The Air Force issued them from the 50's through the mid to late 1960's before switching to the M-65 field jacket. They can quickly be spotted by their exposed snaps on the pockets and a large collar that contains a roll up hood. These are rare jackets and are hard to find in larger sizes. Learn More

Bag, Cartridge, Empty. This is the standard brass / link catcher bag used on M60D systems for door gunners. Heavy brownish OD vinyl with heavy zippers and canvas chute trim. Bags are in unissued condition. They are postwar bags, but identical to Vietnam era. This system was used well into the mid 2000's by the Army. Made to fit over the yellow / green wire frame (not included). If you are putting together an M60D or have a frame in need of bag, here is your chance! We only have a few available. Learn More

Tiger Stripe flight Helmet Bag. This is a great reproduction helmet bag that features two large outside pockets with Velcro and snap closure and two inner slip pockets inside the bag (ideal for sunglasses, spare parts, visors, etc). The bag also features a padded body for helmet protection, carrying handles, hanging clip, two D Rings for a shoulder strap attachment (such as a GP Strap) and a metal zipper. Learn More

We have some nice, unissued leather combat boots in size 10.5R. These boots are postwar dated, late 1970's to mid 1980's. The main difference between these and late 60's to early 70's dated boots are that they have the notch in the instep (so they flex better) and they lack the stitch on the back of the heel. Other than these differences, they are the same as wartime dated boots. These boots show some light storage wear from being in a box but will polish perfectly. The second model leather boots feature the direct molded ripple sole (vs earlier sewn sole). Vintage leather boots in good sizes have gotten hard to find lately! We found a small lot of these and have about a dozen pair in size 10.5R with varying dates / manufactures. Learn More