POSTWAR USMC M1955 FRAG VEST SIGNED BY SNIPER GYSGT CARLOS HATHCOCK

Description: POSTWAR USMC M1955 FRAG VEST SIGNED BY SNIPER GYSGT CARLOS M HATHCOCK II. Other than the 13-digit NATO Stock Number (the 11-digit Vietnam Era Federal Stock Number would not have included the two zeros) and the production year 1978, this vest is identical to those in production during the Vietnam War. Zipper and snaps are functional, and buttons for lower pockets are present and intact. There is a 1/2" wide length of OD elastic at bottom rear of vest where two Doron fiberglass plates overlap; the ends of the elastic are frayed, but the stitching is intact. GySgt Hathcock did not retire until about 1979, but since the name of a prior owner was hand-printed (and later obliterated) in marker across the top portion of the label, he most likely signed this vest on request after his retirement. A retired Marine colonel, who worked with the sniper's son (GySgt CMH III) in the Training Dept at Quantico, told me that the retired sniper was a prolific autograph-signer; he said, "If you put something down in front of him, he would sign it." Marines were still equipped with the M1955 when they entered Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982, but they were replaced by the improved PASGT woodland camo fragmentation vests prior to the October 1983 bombing. No autograph evaluator has examined this vest in person, and it cannot be authenticated remotely by photo. Writing on the nylon layers in a frag vest is not the same as writing on paper over a smooth hard surface, and there are no other known signed vests with which to compare it. In any case, professionals will tell you that a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is an opinion; it is not a guarantee. I do not "Send Offer" discounts.

Price: 599 USD

Location: Mount Shasta, California

End Time: 2025-01-19T04:09:44.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD