Vietnam ?? Aviator / Flightcrew shoulder ammo carrier

[robbt]

hi guys , I have a odd US marked ammo carrier that came with the Aviator / Flightcrew shoulder holster pictured below, the holster wil fil a victory od model 10 or 15, any ideas on its age ??
I have seen two others just like it , please post, robbt

 

[Masterpiece]

robbt,
I think you're pretty close on the Vietnam Era guess. Most likely early or possibly Korean War,but no earlier. Reason being that I have never seen this style that was dyed black on WWII Era Rigs & owned quite a few before I dissolved my Victory Collection quite a few years back. It is correct for the Rig you have posted. I'm sure the experts will be around shortly to give to you their "Expert" opinions which will be possibly be closer than mine to narrowing down the time frame. Nice Rig anyway!!

 

[Masterpiece]

robbt,
What is the Identification Number impressed into the backside of the carrier? If you let us know we should be able to track down it's time period much easier. The photo isn't very clear is why I asked. It's looks to be the Military No.!! Also are there any U.S. Military Markings on the backside of the Holster itself? If so,we should be able to give you the period it was used as well.

 

[robbt]

hi masterpiece , the number is DSA100 -77-M- U910.
many thanks, robbt

 

[Masterpiece]

robbt,
Well all I can say is that it's definitely military issue,but still can't narrow down the approx. year they issued them or what it belongs to!! I came up with many pieces that were marked DSA 100-77 (A B C D E F G H etc.),but not stamped with the -M or U910. Is it possible that the letter or number before the 910 is something other than a U? Also does the Holster Rig have U.S. stamped on it anywhere. Maybe I can track it down that way in case it's considered to be part of the rig. Let me know & when I get a chance I'll check into it some more.

 

[robbt]

hi masterpiece , sorry its a " U" , holster is un marked , I have sold about a dozen of these holster always without any markings, I sold one to a former copter pilot in nam , same holster he was issued , many thanks, robbt

 

[borntoraisehogs]

I was an Army Aviator In Viet Nam and used one exactly like that with the S&W .38 in 1970-71. I did't get either one through official channels. They were scarce and in high demand, so Instead of getting the run around from supply and the armorer, you traded something to someone going home or got it "sovenired" to you by someone leaving. Then you sovenired it to someone when went you DEROSed
, just like you did your knives and Zippos and other hard to get items.

 

[DS52]

Funny to run into this thread, I just did an IMFDB this morning (internet movie firearms database or something like that) on the movie we were soldiers, because I thought that the Helicopter pilot had a smith & wesson, they have a pic of a rig very very similar to that one there.

Pretty cool holster

 

[XAVMECH]

Looks like what we were issued in the USAF during the Vietnam war - extra rounds (some tracer) for our MOD 15 - 4inchers.

 

[robbt]

hi borntoraisehogs, what holster were you issued with your S&W ??
also sorry the term " DEROSed "
canyou please expand ??
many thanks, robbt
I just luv this old leather

 

[DS52]

I think DEROSed means

Date of Expected Return from Over Seas, pretty sure anyway.

 

[mtime7]

I think DEROSed means

Date of Expected Return from Over Seas, pretty sure anyway.

+1
people had what they refered to as there deros date, day their tour ended and were catching the freedom bird home.. derosed meant they hit it and were leaving.

 

[vrichard]

I have a holster similar to yours,but mine is for a 2in.J frame,it
seems like I got it before Vietnam era,got it at a army supluse store
in Co.Springs.
Dick

 

[jpage]

Should date to 1977, or a few years later, if it has a DSA date of 77.

 

[igor455]

i remmeber seeing and being issued holsters like that in 68-69 when i was in country. i think the air force and maybe the navy used them also. i used a scrounged browning high power and a modified 45 shoulder holster. i was issued a k frame 2 in and i carried that also when flying . dont know if i ever knew who made them