Original Item. Only One Available. This is a phenomenally rare set of experimental body armor designed during World War II for use by the U.S. Marine Corps. This set or armor has no markings outside of the small size tag on the collar, S for small. This set only has one pair of exterior pockets on the left size of the jacket. Very few of these have turned up, and most sets have their own little manufacturing quirks.

There is a small red tag stapled inside the bottom pocket reading 116 SMALL 1A X1 653. The buckles on the jacket are all labeled Waterbury Buckle Co. and the snaps are all labeled UNITED CARR, which is consistent with snaps on other body armor of the era (i.e. the M12). Every plate is secured in its sleeve by a button that can be undone to allow for their removal. There are fifteen (15) plates in total, with added padding in each shoulder to make the armor a bit more comfortable to wear. The set is in overall great condition and should fit well on a mannequin. Please advise that it is the Small size.

The armor plates were made of Doron which was developed by Dow Chemical in 1943 and testing of the jackets began in mid-1944. The Marine Corps supposedly procured 2000 jackets for testing and the 2nd Regiment, 2nd Marine Division was to use them, but by the time they actually received them, they could only be used in the “mopping up” stage of Okinawa. So there was no real combat test of the armor. More were ordered but because the war ended they were probably never made or issued.

There is very little reference to this armor online, and what does exist is mostly on forums. You will likely not have another chance to pick up this rare set of armor, don’t miss it!