Thank you for putting the ads in designated places in the videos. I’ve always wandered why no one does this. It is most appreciated. Fantastic collection of American fighting history. Thanks for posting this.
This was OUTSTANDING!!! You guys looked happy as a couple kids playing with they're GI Joe's!! It really is amazing seeing what American warfighters went into combat with from the get go! Great stuff! Can't wait for part two!!🤜🤛🇺🇸🇺🇸
Being a Army brat, this was great. I can still smell the distinct odor of ol canvas webbing, uniforms n boots, and military vehicles from my pops days in the Army.
I watch all kinds of “kit” videos to just study different load outs. Gotta say this is the most interesting video to date. Thanks for sharing your collection.
Absolutely LLLLLLOVED this video!!!!! My recently departed Dad was in the Korean War, so to see the Korean War Uniform Kit was awesome!!!! He used to say “No matter how bad things get in life, things were worse every day in Korea”!!!! Karl, thank you so much for choosing to do this!!!!
To BAD you missed the stores from the 60s, 70s!! Everything under the sun back in the day, and givn it away! Grew up next to a worlds best "Oxmans" sold the last WWII packed for shipment ball turret a few years ago with a huge wasp radials for B29, had had a Norton sight dropped the BOMB! Old man Oxman mad it to over a 100!! Gave me personal tours' in the back with my kids. Had a full museum.
I needed this after a craptastic reenactment year. You really appreciate modern uniforms and gear when you spend some time living and "fighting" in vintage kit. More please!
Love these episodes with the historical info. CSM Lamb is one of those guys who knows his stuff and is humble about it and you could listen to him for hours. Looking forward to more content like this!!! Thank you.
So many stories, so much history, and so much in common with my own experience! I came in in 1972, but had been using some of this stuff since I was 6 years old. Thanks for the great presentation!
Wow. Excellent, Excellent EXCELLENT lesson in uniform progression. As a kid, I would go with my dad to a real Army surplus store to buy a belt for his tool pouch. I remember these big wooden barrels (beer?) filled with helmets, practice grenades, bayonets, pistol belts, pouches of all kinds, boots, all kinds of stuff. They had a huge torpedo outside the front door, 6 drop tanks stacked like cord wood to the right of the door. I became an electrician like my dad so, I went there to get a pistol belt for my tool pouch. Sadly, those stores are gone now. Good memories from the 60's and 70's.
Amazing kit collection and review! I guess not sleeping is good for hour long videos, lol. I'd love to see a video of the next 50 years of gear! Hope if hes got the kit, you guys decide to do another. You are great together!
First time viewing and really enjoyed it. You talk about dating yourselves, I served 1969 to 1972, 2 years with the A75 Rangers. Much of out basic training was Korean tactics. There has been much improvement in equipment and training since my tour. RLTW
So glad I found this series. I am an absolutely history nerd! Particularly where warfare is concerned. I bet Rick Lamb is awesome to talk to, but I bet I may also drive him crazy because I really will never tire of talking or drooling over this stuff. I still get my M1- Garand out. It holds up. I really enjoy shooting that one. Thanks, Karl for this series, and Rick. It's important, to me at least not just for the love of the history behind it, but the R&D that goes into all kit to constantly get better. saving this, like most of these videos so I can geek out at will. Thank you very very much!
The Ole Alpha Company CSM ... Rick Lamb is a GREAT guy! Karl ... we have to know a lot of the same people. Small world, even smaller circle. I enjoyed this video. Upvoted.
Can't believe I haven't seen this,I'd actually pay for this content it's fantastic it's free! Rick is an absolute legend, I think he's in the hall of fame? Karl is he and how about you? If your not a hall of famer you really need to be! All the best love from London and Dublin X X
Loved this one. Going thru my grandfather’s trunk and papers, he was CWO field artillery 4th ID at Normandy, stayed with military Intel after the war til 1962. Stationed in Germany, Japan, White Sands and Naval Weapons in Norco CA. Man I wish he was around to show this video. Awesome stuff
CSM Lamb has an amazing collection and is a great historian and engaging presenter. Love this stuff. Much appreciation and respect to all the generations of warfighters represented by the gear layouts. Thanks for sharing this with us TR. Looking forward to the next parts and also the live-fire shoot!!
As a collector and reenactor, it’s so cool to see that some of the older vets actually have an interest in this stuff and are cool with it. I know when I first got into it there were a lot of old vets who thought this was just glorified dress up, which it is in a way, but it’s also about preserving the history. It was actually collect and reenacting that made me want to join the military, unfortunately I slacked off and never got myself physically fit enough and I suffered some football injuries, but I still have huge respect for those who do serve and now I’m going to college for history education so I can teach America’s future youth about the sacrifice men and women in the military have made.
I came cross a WW II compass and pouch in my step grandfather's basement after he passed in the mid 90's. He served in New Guinea I believe. I still have it boxed away in my storage. The compass is slow to rotate, but it still works. The pouch is worn and a bit thread bare, but is still together. I don't really have the ability to properly keep and preserve the bits I have.
Fascinating video. The similarities with other armies is uncanny. I joined the British Army in ‘75 and was issued in basic with putties and ‘37 pattern WWII webbing, complete with cork in the water bottle! The webbing was replaced with ‘58 pattern when I joined a working unit but the putties remained until after the Falklands war in 82 when the DMS boots were replaced with Combat boots high. The putties were rolled over the top of the boots, not up the leg and finished with the point on the outside (arrow facing back) and the spare tie wrapped around just behind the arrow. A lot of blokes hated them and either used the WWII gaiters or ‘acquired’ jump boots. Many thanks to you and Rick. Best wishes.
My dad was a Korea era paratrooper. He was proud that he had won the coonskin cap for the mi grand, carbine and pistol at the same time. The thing I found odd was he did not like the Thompson but loved the M3. He also had an affection for a navy issued knife. He said every knife he ever handle in the army were great knives but he really liked the navy knife. Anyway he said there was a little leeway and a lot of men had hand guns and knives from home. He felt hand guns were extra weight . Which is funny because he carried the extra knife. He went into hospice when he was 86 years old. I was awaken by a clatter and when I got to his room he had knocked a table over. I asked him if he was okay. He said “I am a paratrooper”. The last thing he said was “stand in the door”. The day he died he was training paratroopers again..
First time on your channel, I heard you say that you were both sergeants major and I almost disconnected. Glad I didn't. Excellent data, good presentation. "Rough side out" is the term for the suede boots. Almost all boots were issued with the leather rough side out, and the soldiers used entire cans of shoe polish turning them into shiny boots. The Tanker Jacket had a "pile" lining., like the later removable field jacket liners and the horrible helmet liner. That we had to account for in the 70's-early 90s. I believe the Carlyle bandage also included a packet of sulfa powder. The sling on the M1 is reversed, the clip should be at the butt end. You'd take that end off and put your arm through the sling to provide stability for more accurate shooting. In competition shooting, they still hook the sling to a stiff jacket. The silk scarf for pilots originated in early days when the engines spit oil into the open cockpits. Silk was the only fabric you could use to wipe the oil off goggles rather than just smearing it around.
30:15 Wow... takes me back. I remember the "Clothing & Sales" on base used to sell a bag full of those innertube rings, literally calling them 'Ranger Bands'. Bought them, and thought they were so cool - just like the real Rangers use! (cc 1994)
Everyone in combat was not fortunate enough to have up-to-date gear... I was a Navy combat cameraman (retired as an E-9) and on my first landing with the 1/26 Marines in Vietnam (1966 Deckhouse three Phase Two) I was wearing shirt and trousers that my unit had scrounged (I think from the Sea Bees) and although the fabric was light, it simply did not breath at all. I was wearing horsehide Marine boots with a smooth sole which caused me to realize just how slippery a jungle (just inland from Vung Tau and the last landing the Marines made in the South) could be. I slipped dangerously several times. We complained so much about our gear that my outfit finally furnished us with jungle fatigues and jungle boots. That was a quantum improvement over our original issue. Later on we were issued Jungle Cammies. Never had decent weapons (except for the Colt 1911), We had a few .30 caliber carbines which (I suspect) had been converted from M-1 models to the full auto M-2). The problem with these guns was that if you fired them in full auto - the magazine would fall out unless you were holding it. I scrounged an M-16 from the Army Special Forces and that was my weapon of choice on jobs that I needed something more than the .45... Years later, when I was the Operations Chief of the Pacific Fleet Combat Camera Group, I insisted that our combat cameramen had the same gear as the troops they were working with and that they also trained with combat troops before going into combat situations,
Interesting to hear Rick say that they got rid of puttees just after WW1. I joined the British Army in 1969 and both Gaiters, a short form of your leggings and puttees were still in use. They claimed it reduced the risk of attack by leeches. We too had the woollen shirts and blouson jackets and pants. There was a trick to not having the wool itch, when next to your skin. You used a wool washing powder instead of a regular one. Dreft. (Thanks Mum.) The secret ingredient is Lanolin, something found in sheep's wool. Wash shirts and socks first, in quarter amount of powder. Then top up powder to full amount for outer garments, like pants and jacket. The outers will shed water, while other garments become slightly softer, yet maintain their ability to absorb sweat. No more itchy wool shirt!
I have been waiting for this video with anticipation and it was well worth the wait! Thank you Karl & CMS Rick Lamb for sharing your knowledge & his collection with us, I absolutely love military history! 🇺🇲
Dear Mr. Lamb, This is the first time I have seen the show and found it very interesting. I learned a lot..... With your permission I would like to expand on the history of the M3 fighting knife. I'm sure you know the history, but only have so much time. What I'm about to say is basically for those history buffs who may not know......... At the beginning of WW2 the Ordnance Dept. was looking for a replacement for the WW1 Trench Knife because of the amount of metal used to make it. It took them so long to make up their mind that the Marine Corps backed out and adopted the Ka-Bar. (For a period of time they were issued a variation of the Sykes- Fairbairn Knife, V42 Stiletto, but they proved unsatisfactory because of the thin, sharp blade and point that wouldn't open c-rat cans or ammo boxes.) About that time the M1 Carbine was adopted without a bayonet lug. Therefore the M3 and it's accompanying M6 leather sheath was to be issued to non-carbine carrying troops, officers, etc. This didn't last too long when the troops got their hands on their hands on them. (there were NO lugged carbines in the European Theater.) The bayonet lug and 30 round magazine did not appear on the carbine until sometime in 1944 in the Philippines / Okinawa time frame. Also about that time the M6 Sheath disappeared and was replaced by the M8A1 plastic sheath. The M3 knife was modified as The M8 bayonet by the removal of the leather grip and the addition of the standard bayonet locking grip. Along with some other modifications, this bayonet lasted until about the first Gulf War when the bayonet was redesigned. If you desire to read more look up Wickipedia. I'm sure I have made mistakes so don't beat me up to bad.
In my early years of Scouting I had a few pairs of WWII wool Long underwear. Also used a WWI mess kit. We went to flea markets and Army/Navy store to get our camping stuff. I miss those long Johns! They were warm.
What an awesome series so far!! I just turned 35 and have only been active for 8 years however even the change of gear and kit from then till now it's crazy. It's been more and more of an interest of mine to really get to dive deeper in US History and War History and this is a great way to go about it. I always hated history when I was a kid reading out of books but this is so much for visual and way better. Would totally love to see some ready up drills and movement drills in these full kit set ups!
One of the best things about growing up in Norfolk, Va. was the killer "Army/Navy" surplus stores we had access to!! 1970's & had EVERYTHING from WW2 to Vietnam!
I'm not sure where it came from, but my dad had one of those shelter tents when I was a kid. We thought it was really cool to sleep under the "Army tent" in the back yard, and run "night ops" against my parents and various neighbors. I also had a Korean War era down sleeping bag when I was a teenager. That sleeping bag got me through a seriously cold night on a mountain top in Oregon. When we woke up there were 3-inch, horizontal icicles stuck to our packs from the wind blasting all night. It wasn't exactly toasty, but I'm still alive and I still have all my toes :)
I had a pair of those combat boots when I was a kid in Germany, when we are stationed over there in 55-58 they were AWESOME! GOT A PAIR EVER YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS 😊 💖
The two piece M-1 helmet had two variants. The standard model had a single chin strap. The chin strap was placed under the chin along the jaw. Used this single strap model while in the 2nd BN/6th INF, Berlin Brigade. The airborne model had a three piece strap. Two V straps that attached to the steel pot of the helmet. Then a third strap that was centered on the peak of the chin. Attached to the helmet straps by a buckle. The 3-piece strap helped to keep the helmet on during the windy conditions during the drop. The 101st still had the 3-piece strap in 1979. Was in the 2bn/327th Infantry Regiment, 101 Abn. for my last of my Army days.
Good video! The Army wanted the paras to use those buckled boots...they said no because the buckles could get caught on the parachute lines...also, it was a status thing....the m-45 pack could be used as a mussette bag as the small buttoned pocket on the side of the pack contained a all- purpose strap which could be hooked to a pair of small "d" rings on the top of the pack...the cargo bag that attached to the m-45, was also used as a "furlough" bag alone or with the m- 45 as a "mussette" bag...m-44 & m-45 gear systems were not interchangeable...imho, the para gear & uniform was the sharpest of all the American uniforms...😊
I love listening to you guys going over the history of uniforms and kit over the years. My dad enlisted into the Army in 1945. I remember seeing some of his uniforms. Unfortunately my mother threw it all away at some point. 😒
My father was always bright eyed when he talked about the day he turned in his Doughboy helmet for the ww2 version. Same with his Springfield for his Garand.
Awesome video! That was the best military history gear kit and weapon showcase I have ever seen! I'm gonna share this and make sure others get to remember how it was back then! Take care yall be safe
Man this is an awesome video. I love learning all the changes especially my favorite WWII. Thank you for taking the time to teach us all the history. I can't wait for the 2nd video of this series.
Amazing video, guys! I love the deep dive into uniform & gear history. CSM Lamb in a national treasure! Thanks for some awesome Thanksgiving viewing!👍🇺🇸
Like trench art, the Johnny on the spot modifications and inventions of an individual soldier(s) is a topic in itself. Who wants to be my ghost writer for this book? Nothing like inventing and reinventing while wading through mud with one's situational awareness at a high level. Even as a hunter before the market took off with hunting related merch. half the fun of the hunt was making the gear to achieve your goal. Today's shake and bake instant buy & go is not fun at all. As for the good ole steel pot ... I liked em better than the Kalv. except when the strap hardware would squeak next to my ear.
Watching band of brothers on cables right now an watching a band of brothers on my iPad ,Karl you guys are awesome thank you for a nother great video 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️
I could watch this stuff all day. Really, it never bores me. Especially coming from the legendary badass of a walking military thesaurus.... such as CSM Lamb. I have some of that old gear/equipment in my little gallery of heritage. Or as I call it, "The Wall of Pain." Things from my Dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. And things I just thought are neat. All the way down to the old WW2 "Portable" coms that are the size of ammo cans. Coms that have designated backpacks, and backpacks for battery power. Cool shit no doubt. But I couldn't imagine lugging that sh*t, or not having carriers, plates, and frag protection. Nope! I'm assuming the old com's aren't rifle rated either despite the bulk. Older grunts are the most bad ass MF'rs I swear. Which brings me to being thankful.... Even though we kinda (and by kinda, I mean often) bitched and moaned and groaned about rucking full rattle, and having to lug 3/4 of our body weight around. Moreso as greenies. And would tend to take the technology and high speed shit we had for granted.... small things even, like our badass com's which are the most important and most used equipment we have. Down to our comfy hiking boots. And into the 21st century with computer technology in our HMMWV's. I mean damn we've needed all that technology and then some, on several occasions. It's saved lives.... And that's the last time I took sh*t for granted. Last time I took life for granted. I digress..... So....... Looking back at what our fighting Predecessors had, it really makes me appreciate everything we had, despite "the suck" of hiking the hillsides of BFE Kandahar province, or ...."as I walk through the Valley of the shadow....... of love" in the Kunar province...... With basically a small human strapped to you. Or navigating through a plethora of FUBAR from Southern Baghdad, to further up North Tikrit..... to Mozul... same sh*tter, different sh*t, in different sh*tholes. I'm still here though, and so are you all reading this. For all of this...... I AM THANKFUL! Thank you to all of my Brothers and sisters who have selflessly protected our freedoms, and others freedoms.... Foreign and Domestic. Much love to you all! I mean that! From the Heart 100% Also....I am thankful for Tactical Rifleman, and the Family of NutBags I've grown to be awfully fond of. I am thankful for the knowledge and Jackassery TR provides. 👊 Happy Thanksgiving! Hope it's been great! GOD Bless you ALL! GOD BLESS AMERICA! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ALPHA MIKE FOXTROT! 👋
An amazing video on US Army progression of equipment and uniforms. The Germans thought the American uniform looked like a Golfing outfit. The M-41 was the first combat jacket based on the m-38 field jacket designed by General Parsons. A really shitty cold weather jacket that was like what CSM(Ret) Lamb said was replaced by the "Tanker" jacket or eventually the M-1943 layering system that was field tested in Italy and issued to troops in time for Operation Market Garden in Sept 1944. Again well done and Happy Thanksgiving+++
Outstanding video guys!! So educational and interesting. I'm definately going to share this with my military gear buff friends. Thanks for sharing your impressive collection.
Interesting presentation. I had to pause the video at one point and go digging through boxes looking for my Dad's WWII lensatic compass. I didn't find it, but it should be packed away in a box somewhere around here. There do seem to be some available on eBay.
Great video guys, always loved to see the evolution of uniforms. I know your a couple of Army grunts, but I would love to see an episode of the evolution of the SEAL's uniforms. From Vietnam to the 70's and 80's and then the war on terror.
I have part of a WW2 ranger dress uniform I found at a local shop in Wyoming when I was into collecting. If Mr. Lamb doesn’t have the dress uniform I’d love to supplement his collection!
Man that fella must've been a gentle kid.. i had a helmet from vietnam when i was younger, i thrashed that bad boy.. I've since given it to my youngest brother and regret the shape i left it in hahah.
Im glad Randy wasn't the one doing this episode. "Over there in that box is the uniform from WWI but I'm not gonna take it all out" "in this box we have everything from WWII but I'm not gonna pull everything out" "here we have a standard pack but its a pain in the ass to open these pouches so ill just tell ya whats in em" 🤣
Thank you for putting the ads in designated places in the videos. I’ve always wandered why no one does this. It is most appreciated.
Fantastic collection of American fighting history. Thanks for posting this.
Glad you like them!
This was OUTSTANDING!!! You guys looked happy as a couple kids playing with they're GI Joe's!! It really is amazing seeing what American warfighters went into combat with from the get go! Great stuff! Can't wait for part two!!🤜🤛🇺🇸🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it!
I doubt History Channel would listen to me
@@TacticalRifleman Because it would be true history with no fluff. 😎
I love when you do episodes with Rick Lamb, that man is a national treasure.
And ladies, find you a man who loves you like Karl loves that M1 Garand.
that's how i am with my m1. got her all greased well in the metal to metal contact points on the oprod, receiver and bolt.
Being a Army brat, this was great. I can still smell the distinct odor of ol canvas webbing, uniforms n boots, and military vehicles from my pops days in the Army.
I watch all kinds of “kit” videos to just study different load outs. Gotta say this is the most interesting video to date. Thanks for sharing your collection.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely LLLLLLOVED this video!!!!! My recently departed Dad was in the Korean War, so to see the Korean War Uniform Kit was awesome!!!! He used to say “No matter how bad things get in life, things were worse every day in Korea”!!!!
Karl, thank you so much for choosing to do this!!!!
“It’s like pushin a golf ball through ya.. beautiful thing.” 😂😂more beautiful words have never been spoken brotha. Happy thanksgiving Americans 🇺🇸
Damn I miss the surplus stores we used to have back in the 80s!
To BAD you missed the stores from the 60s, 70s!!
Everything under the sun back in the day, and givn it away!
Grew up next to a worlds best "Oxmans" sold the last WWII packed for shipment ball turret a few years ago with a huge wasp radials for B29, had had a Norton sight dropped the BOMB! Old man Oxman mad it to over a 100!! Gave me personal tours' in the back with my kids. Had a full museum.
Ebay has become my army navy store. I can pick up patches, pins, pistol belt gear, etc. Real deal stuff and reproduction.
They're still around. Just got to dig a little deeper. Trust me
@@scarling9367
M
P
Yes the “Army Surplus “ stores Jeeps for. $50 M1 carbines for $75 incredible deals
Outstanding! This just exhibits SGM Lambs eternal dedication to the right stuff. Its a beautiful thing.Thank you.
I needed this after a craptastic reenactment year. You really appreciate modern uniforms and gear when you spend some time living and "fighting" in vintage kit. More please!
Thanks for the history lesson. In the years that I've been watching UA-cam, this is the best videos I've seen.
I could watch this all day long. I love the history of military uniforms
A great video.
The ordinary USAF personnel still had the M1 helmet in 1996, and the cots were wood/ canvas dated 1942 !
Truly enjoyed this one 💪🏿 I have family members that served in most major conflicts all the way back to the civil war. Proud Americans 🇺🇸
Thank you CSM Lamb for sharing your collection, love looking at and learning history and realizing how much history repeats itself.
What a history lesson from CSM Lamb and CSM Erickson.
I wore that steel pot in basic and AIT in 1987. The memories I had forgotten.
Love these episodes with the historical info. CSM Lamb is one of those guys who knows his stuff and is humble about it and you could listen to him for hours. Looking forward to more content like this!!! Thank you.
So many stories, so much history, and so much in common with my own experience! I came in in 1972, but had been using some of this stuff since I was 6 years old. Thanks for the great presentation!
Thanks for sharing!
Wow. Excellent, Excellent EXCELLENT lesson in uniform progression.
As a kid, I would go with my dad to a real Army surplus store to buy a belt for his tool pouch. I remember these big wooden barrels (beer?) filled with helmets, practice grenades, bayonets, pistol belts, pouches of all kinds, boots, all kinds of stuff. They had a huge torpedo outside the front door, 6 drop tanks stacked like cord wood to the right of the door. I became an electrician like my dad so, I went there to get a pistol belt for my tool pouch. Sadly, those stores are gone now. Good memories from the 60's and 70's.
Amazing kit collection and review! I guess not sleeping is good for hour long videos, lol. I'd love to see a video of the next 50 years of gear! Hope if hes got the kit, you guys decide to do another. You are great together!
Part-2 debut at Christmas
This was very very interesting. Keep up the great work. I am very thankful to and for all the fine guys and gals who served us and our country.
First time viewing and really enjoyed it. You talk about dating yourselves, I served 1969 to 1972, 2 years with the A75 Rangers. Much of out basic training was Korean tactics.
There has been much improvement in equipment and training since my tour.
RLTW
Patton said of the M-1 Garand: "...The greatest battle implement ever devised!"
That's always been the British soldier 🇬🇧 🤝 🇺🇸
Great Rifle!!
So glad I found this series. I am an absolutely history nerd! Particularly where warfare is concerned. I bet Rick Lamb is awesome to talk to, but I bet I may also drive him crazy because I really will never tire of talking or drooling over this stuff. I still get my M1- Garand out. It holds up. I really enjoy shooting that one. Thanks, Karl for this series, and Rick. It's important, to me at least not just for the love of the history behind it, but the R&D that goes into all kit to constantly get better. saving this, like most of these videos so I can geek out at will. Thank you very very much!
Glad you enjoyed it. TR
GOOOOODDDD!!!! BLESSSS!!!
I love History of all types, shapes, and sizes!
Most of all I love Military History!
Keep up the good work!
Outstanding content! Thank you for putting so much effort into this project!
The Ole Alpha Company CSM ... Rick Lamb is a GREAT guy! Karl ... we have to know a lot of the same people. Small world, even smaller circle. I enjoyed this video. Upvoted.
Can't believe I haven't seen this,I'd actually pay for this content it's fantastic it's free! Rick is an absolute legend, I think he's in the hall of fame? Karl is he and how about you? If your not a hall of famer you really need to be! All the best love from London and Dublin X X
This is one of the coolest historical vids you've ever done Karl !!!
MANY THANKS to you BOTH !!
Loved this one.
Going thru my grandfather’s trunk and papers, he was CWO field artillery 4th ID at Normandy, stayed with military Intel after the war til 1962. Stationed in Germany, Japan, White Sands and Naval Weapons in Norco CA. Man I wish he was around to show this video.
Awesome stuff
CSM Lamb has an amazing collection and is a great historian and engaging presenter. Love this stuff. Much appreciation and respect to all the generations of warfighters represented by the gear layouts.
Thanks for sharing this with us TR. Looking forward to the next parts and also the live-fire shoot!!
As a collector and reenactor, it’s so cool to see that some of the older vets actually have an interest in this stuff and are cool with it. I know when I first got into it there were a lot of old vets who thought this was just glorified dress up, which it is in a way, but it’s also about preserving the history. It was actually collect and reenacting that made me want to join the military, unfortunately I slacked off and never got myself physically fit enough and I suffered some football injuries, but I still have huge respect for those who do serve and now I’m going to college for history education so I can teach America’s future youth about the sacrifice men and women in the military have made.
I came cross a WW II compass and pouch in my step grandfather's basement after he passed in the mid 90's. He served in New Guinea I believe. I still have it boxed away in my storage. The compass is slow to rotate, but it still works. The pouch is worn and a bit thread bare, but is still together. I don't really have the ability to properly keep and preserve the bits I have.
Fascinating video. The similarities with other armies is uncanny. I joined the British Army in ‘75 and was issued in basic with putties and ‘37 pattern WWII webbing, complete with cork in the water bottle! The webbing was replaced with ‘58 pattern when I joined a working unit but the putties remained until after the Falklands war in 82 when the DMS boots were replaced with Combat boots high. The putties were rolled over the top of the boots, not up the leg and finished with the point on the outside (arrow facing back) and the spare tie wrapped around just behind the arrow. A lot of blokes hated them and either used the WWII gaiters or ‘acquired’ jump boots. Many thanks to you and Rick. Best wishes.
My dad was a Korea era paratrooper. He was proud that he had won the coonskin cap for the mi grand, carbine and pistol at the same time.
The thing I found odd was he did not like the Thompson but loved the M3.
He also had an affection for a navy issued knife. He said every knife he ever handle in the army were great knives but he really liked the navy knife.
Anyway he said there was a little leeway and a lot of men had hand guns and knives from home.
He felt hand guns were extra weight . Which is funny because he carried the extra knife.
He went into hospice when he was 86 years old. I was awaken by a clatter and when I got to his room he had knocked a table over.
I asked him if he was okay. He said “I am a paratrooper”.
The last thing he said was “stand in the door”.
The day he died he was training paratroopers again..
First time on your channel, I heard you say that you were both sergeants major and I almost disconnected. Glad I didn't. Excellent data, good presentation.
"Rough side out" is the term for the suede boots. Almost all boots were issued with the leather rough side out, and the soldiers used entire cans of shoe polish turning them into shiny boots.
The Tanker Jacket had a "pile" lining., like the later removable field jacket liners and the horrible helmet liner. That we had to account for in the 70's-early 90s.
I believe the Carlyle bandage also included a packet of sulfa powder.
The sling on the M1 is reversed, the clip should be at the butt end. You'd take that end off and put your arm through the sling to provide stability for more accurate shooting. In competition shooting, they still hook the sling to a stiff jacket.
The silk scarf for pilots originated in early days when the engines spit oil into the open cockpits. Silk was the only fabric you could use to wipe the oil off goggles rather than just smearing it around.
Thanks for sharing
30:15 Wow... takes me back. I remember the "Clothing & Sales" on base used to sell a bag full of those innertube rings, literally calling them 'Ranger Bands'. Bought them, and thought they were so cool - just like the real Rangers use! (cc 1994)
Thank you so much for doing this video. This was a really cool look back into the technology advancement of our kit. Keep Up The Fire 🔥
Our pleasure!
Everyone in combat was not fortunate enough to have up-to-date gear... I was a Navy combat cameraman (retired as an E-9) and on my first landing with the 1/26 Marines in Vietnam (1966 Deckhouse three Phase Two) I was wearing shirt and trousers that my unit had scrounged (I think from the Sea Bees) and although the fabric was light, it simply did not breath at all. I was wearing horsehide Marine boots with a smooth sole which caused me to realize just how slippery a jungle (just inland from Vung Tau and the last landing the Marines made in the South) could be. I slipped dangerously several times.
We complained so much about our gear that my outfit finally furnished us with jungle fatigues and jungle boots. That was a quantum improvement over our original issue. Later on we were issued Jungle Cammies.
Never had decent weapons (except for the Colt 1911), We had a few .30 caliber carbines which (I suspect) had been converted from M-1 models to the full auto M-2). The problem with these guns was that if you fired them in full auto - the magazine would fall out unless you were holding it. I scrounged an M-16 from the Army Special Forces and that was my weapon of choice on jobs that I needed something more than the .45...
Years later, when I was the Operations Chief of the Pacific Fleet Combat Camera Group, I insisted that our combat cameramen had the same gear as the troops they were working with and that they also trained with combat troops before going into combat situations,
Thanks for sharing and thank you for your service. TR
Great Videos, thanks for taking the time to make them, and thank you for your service.
Interesting to hear Rick say that they got rid of puttees just after WW1.
I joined the British Army in 1969 and both Gaiters, a short form of your leggings
and puttees were still in use. They claimed it reduced the risk of attack by leeches.
We too had the woollen shirts and blouson jackets and pants.
There was a trick to not having the wool itch, when next to your skin.
You used a wool washing powder instead of a regular one. Dreft. (Thanks Mum.)
The secret ingredient is Lanolin, something found in sheep's wool.
Wash shirts and socks first, in quarter amount of powder.
Then top up powder to full amount for outer garments, like pants and jacket.
The outers will shed water, while other garments become slightly softer,
yet maintain their ability to absorb sweat. No more itchy wool shirt!
I have been waiting for this video with anticipation and it was well worth the wait! Thank you Karl & CMS Rick Lamb for sharing your knowledge & his collection with us, I absolutely love military history! 🇺🇲
Dear Mr. Lamb, This is the first time I have seen the show and found it very interesting. I learned a lot..... With your permission I would like to expand on the history of the M3 fighting knife. I'm sure you know the history, but only have so much time. What I'm about to say is basically for those history buffs who may not know......... At the beginning of WW2 the Ordnance Dept. was looking for a replacement for the WW1 Trench Knife because of the amount of metal used to make it. It took them so long to make up their mind that the Marine Corps backed out and adopted the Ka-Bar. (For a period of time they were issued a variation of the Sykes- Fairbairn Knife, V42 Stiletto, but they proved unsatisfactory because of the thin, sharp blade and point that wouldn't open c-rat cans or ammo boxes.) About that time the M1 Carbine was adopted without a bayonet lug. Therefore the M3 and it's accompanying M6 leather sheath was to be issued to non-carbine carrying troops, officers, etc. This didn't last too long when the troops got their hands on their hands on them. (there were NO lugged carbines in the European Theater.) The bayonet lug and 30 round magazine did not appear on the carbine until sometime in 1944 in the Philippines / Okinawa time frame. Also about that time the M6 Sheath disappeared and was replaced by the M8A1 plastic sheath. The M3 knife was modified as The M8 bayonet by the removal of the leather grip and the addition of the standard bayonet locking grip. Along with some other modifications, this bayonet lasted until about the first Gulf War when the bayonet was redesigned. If you desire to read more look up Wickipedia. I'm sure I have made mistakes so don't beat me up to bad.
In my early years of Scouting I had a few pairs of WWII wool Long underwear. Also used a WWI mess kit. We went to flea markets and Army/Navy store to get our camping stuff. I miss those long Johns! They were warm.
Fantastic video. I could watch these two talking military history all day.
Edit: Part 2 can’t come out soon enough.
Christmas
What an awesome series so far!! I just turned 35 and have only been active for 8 years however even the change of gear and kit from then till now it's crazy. It's been more and more of an interest of mine to really get to dive deeper in US History and War History and this is a great way to go about it. I always hated history when I was a kid reading out of books but this is so much for visual and way better. Would totally love to see some ready up drills and movement drills in these full kit set ups!
One of the best things about growing up in Norfolk, Va. was the killer "Army/Navy" surplus stores we had access to!! 1970's & had EVERYTHING from WW2 to Vietnam!
I've learned more about the uniform than anything I learned will serving excellent video
The addige goes if it's stupid but works it's not stupid
I'm not sure where it came from, but my dad had one of those shelter tents when I was a kid. We thought it was really cool to sleep under the "Army tent" in the back yard, and run "night ops" against my parents and various neighbors. I also had a Korean War era down sleeping bag when I was a teenager. That sleeping bag got me through a seriously cold night on a mountain top in Oregon. When we woke up there were 3-inch, horizontal icicles stuck to our packs from the wind blasting all night. It wasn't exactly toasty, but I'm still alive and I still have all my toes :)
I had a pair of those combat boots when I was a kid in Germany, when we are stationed over there in 55-58 they were AWESOME! GOT A PAIR EVER YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS 😊 💖
I could watch this all day!! Love the history!! Thanks guys!!
The two piece M-1 helmet had two variants. The standard model had a single chin strap. The chin strap was placed under the chin along the jaw. Used this single strap model while in the 2nd BN/6th INF, Berlin Brigade. The airborne model had a three piece strap. Two V straps that attached to the steel pot of the helmet. Then a third strap that was centered on the peak of the chin. Attached to the helmet straps by a buckle. The 3-piece strap helped to keep the helmet on during the windy conditions during the drop. The 101st still had the 3-piece strap in 1979. Was in the 2bn/327th Infantry Regiment, 101 Abn. for my last of my Army days.
Outstanding Tactical Rifleman! Love the history of the evolution of the gear to today! Great presentation as always. 🇺🇸
Good video! The Army wanted the paras to use those buckled boots...they said no because the buckles could get caught on the parachute lines...also, it was a status thing....the m-45 pack could be used as a mussette bag as the small buttoned pocket on the side of the pack contained a all- purpose strap which could be hooked to a pair of small "d" rings on the top of the pack...the cargo bag that attached to the m-45, was also used as a "furlough" bag alone or with the m- 45 as a "mussette" bag...m-44 & m-45 gear systems were not interchangeable...imho, the para gear & uniform was the sharpest of all the American uniforms...😊
I love listening to you guys going over the history of uniforms and kit over the years.
My dad enlisted into the Army in 1945. I remember seeing some of his uniforms. Unfortunately my mother threw it all away at some point. 😒
My father was always bright eyed when he talked about the day he turned in his Doughboy helmet for the ww2 version. Same with his Springfield for his Garand.
My dad was in the Aleutians he preferred wool :)
Awesome video! That was the best military history gear kit and weapon showcase I have ever seen! I'm gonna share this and make sure others get to remember how it was back then! Take care yall be safe
this was exactly the kind of video i needed in my life
Man this is an awesome video. I love learning all the changes especially my favorite WWII. Thank you for taking the time to teach us all the history. I can't wait for the 2nd video of this series.
Keeping this history alive is important.
If you close your eyes and just listen to his voice ;he sounds like Robert Duval.
The Great Santini, Tender Mercies, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, True Confessions ... Duval - The Great One
LAtoBKK can't forget Lonesome Dove
@@mooutlaws32 👍
If you keep your eyes open he looks like general Flynn
But if you close your eyes
It'll be almost like nothing changed at all
Awesome video!
History is one our most important teachers!
So true!
Outstanding! Thanks for putting this together!
I can't wait for Part 2. Great video. Thank you.
Amazing video, guys! I love the deep dive into uniform & gear history. CSM Lamb in a national treasure! Thanks for some awesome Thanksgiving viewing!👍🇺🇸
This is one of the most interesting UA-cam videos I've watched in awhile. I can't get enough details about the granular details of older gear.
Happy Thanksgiving to you guys and thanks for your service and dedication!
GREAT HISTORY!
It's amazing to me how much has changed since I joined the Marines in 1/79.
Like trench art, the Johnny on the spot modifications and inventions of an individual soldier(s) is a topic in itself. Who wants to be my ghost writer for this book? Nothing like inventing and reinventing while wading through mud with one's situational awareness at a high level. Even as a hunter before the market took off with hunting related merch. half the fun of the hunt was making the gear to achieve your goal. Today's shake and bake instant buy & go is not fun at all. As for the good ole steel pot ... I liked em better than the Kalv. except when the strap hardware would squeak next to my ear.
This is awesome... literally
Watching band of brothers on cables right now an watching a band of brothers on my iPad ,Karl you guys are awesome thank you for a nother great video 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚓️⚓️
I loved this video amazing can't wait for part 2
I’ve always loved our Military History, especially the History of the Marine Corps. 🔥Rah🔥
Carl I can't wait for part 2. Another well done video sir.
I could watch this stuff all day. Really, it never bores me. Especially coming from the legendary badass of a walking military thesaurus.... such as CSM Lamb.
I have some of that old gear/equipment in my little gallery of heritage. Or as I call it, "The Wall of Pain." Things from my Dad, grandpa, and great grandpa. And things I just thought are neat. All the way down to the old WW2 "Portable" coms that are the size of ammo cans. Coms that have designated backpacks, and backpacks for battery power. Cool shit no doubt. But I couldn't imagine lugging that sh*t, or not having carriers, plates, and frag protection. Nope!
I'm assuming the old com's aren't rifle rated either despite the bulk. Older grunts are the most bad ass MF'rs I swear.
Which brings me to being thankful....
Even though we kinda (and by kinda, I mean often) bitched and moaned and groaned about rucking full rattle, and having to lug 3/4 of our body weight around. Moreso as greenies. And would tend to take the technology and high speed shit we had for granted.... small things even, like our badass com's which are the most important and most used equipment we have. Down to our comfy hiking boots. And into the 21st century with computer technology in our HMMWV's.
I mean damn we've needed all that technology and then some, on several occasions. It's saved lives.... And that's the last time I took sh*t for granted. Last time I took life for granted.
I digress.....
So....... Looking back at what our fighting Predecessors had, it really makes me appreciate everything we had, despite "the suck" of hiking the hillsides of BFE Kandahar province, or ...."as I walk through the Valley of the shadow....... of love" in the Kunar province...... With basically a small human strapped to you.
Or navigating through a plethora of FUBAR from Southern Baghdad, to further up North Tikrit..... to Mozul... same sh*tter, different sh*t, in different sh*tholes.
I'm still here though, and so are you all reading this. For all of this...... I AM THANKFUL!
Thank you to all of my Brothers and sisters who have selflessly protected our freedoms, and others freedoms.... Foreign and Domestic. Much love to you all! I mean that!
From the Heart 100%
Also....I am thankful for Tactical Rifleman, and the Family of NutBags I've grown to be awfully fond of. I am thankful for the knowledge and Jackassery TR provides. 👊
Happy Thanksgiving! Hope it's been great!
GOD Bless you ALL!
GOD BLESS AMERICA! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
ALPHA MIKE FOXTROT! 👋
Thanks Brother. Happy Thanksgiving
Thank you general.. thank you both!
Awesome episode. Wife got irritated I sat down to watch this in it’s entirety. Fantastic content.
An amazing video on US Army progression of equipment and uniforms. The Germans thought the American uniform looked like a Golfing outfit. The M-41 was the first combat jacket based on the m-38 field jacket designed by General Parsons. A really shitty cold weather jacket that was like what CSM(Ret) Lamb said was replaced by the "Tanker" jacket or eventually the M-1943 layering system that was field tested in Italy and issued to troops in time for Operation Market Garden in Sept 1944. Again well done and Happy Thanksgiving+++
I used the M1 helmet in basic training in 1999. It is still in use in the Home Guard where I come from.
Outstanding video guys!! So educational and interesting. I'm definately going to share this with my military gear buff friends. Thanks for sharing your impressive collection.
History is truly beautiful.
Interesting presentation. I had to pause the video at one point and go digging through boxes looking for my Dad's WWII lensatic compass. I didn't find it, but it should be packed away in a box somewhere around here. There do seem to be some available on eBay.
Awesome! I watched this all the way through while cooking my turkey!
Spectacular. I love this format.
Really enjoyed these history lessons!
Thanks
Great video guys, always loved to see the evolution of uniforms. I know your a couple of Army grunts, but I would love to see an episode of the evolution of the SEAL's uniforms. From Vietnam to the 70's and 80's and then the war on terror.
I loved getting red cycle taskings to the posts museums... I could soak up so much, especially from the retirees that came back to visit.
This is such an awesome episode
Karl I'm actually looking forward to the next part of this!
I have part of a WW2 ranger dress uniform I found at a local shop in Wyoming when I was into collecting. If Mr. Lamb doesn’t have the dress uniform I’d love to supplement his collection!
I’ll pass it on
A great video. A very interesting look at our history
Glad you enjoyed it
Happy Thanksgiving Karl. Love ya man.
Happy Turkey day prep!
@@Bigfezzig Have a Blessed Thanksgiving BIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!
Same to you!
Absolutely awesome video from two American heroes!
Thank you for an educational and entertaining video. I would welcome more videos like this.
Glad you enjoyed it! More to come.
Man that fella must've been a gentle kid.. i had a helmet from vietnam when i was younger, i thrashed that bad boy.. I've since given it to my youngest brother and regret the shape i left it in hahah.
Outstanding video gentlemen. Lots of great info.
Thank you kindly!
Great video, can't wait to part 2...
Right on Srgtmjr! I really enjoyed the history lesson.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Im glad Randy wasn't the one doing this episode. "Over there in that box is the uniform from WWI but I'm not gonna take it all out" "in this box we have everything from WWII but I'm not gonna pull everything out" "here we have a standard pack but its a pain in the ass to open these pouches so ill just tell ya whats in em" 🤣
Funny stuff
Great video. Thanks for sharing