Iraq War-era flak jacket?

[Rick the Librarian]

Had somebody tell me a Flak vest, circa Iraq War -era they had given to them. My guess is about 2002-2003 era. Classified as "Body Armor, Fragmentation, Protective Vest" made by Isratek. The usual "forest camouflage. Still has the armor sections in it. Maybe excellent condition, but not new.

1) Is it legal to own?

2) Approximate value?

3) Can it be sold?

I can probably post some pictures, if that would be helpful. Posted -- see below:

[Dan Shapiro]

Each state has different laws concerning ownership (in Kaliforina felons can't own it). I've seen prices in the area of $175-$195. Far as I know, it can be legally sold.

[JBinIll]

Can you post pictures of the nomenclature markings or tag with the stock numbers?These are rather scarce with the armor included and very saleable in the XL and larger sizes.The small and medium not so much so.

[Rick the Librarian]

It is a size medium. I'll take some pictures and post them tomorrow.

[JBinIll]

I believe but am not certain that the DLA number indicates it was made in 1991.

I don't think there are any laws preventing ownership on these.A fragmention protection vest is not considered bullet proof for most purpose if I understand correctly.Maybe light handgun calibers but not full power rifle loads.

A friend who was in VN related the story of how one of the door gunners was hit by AK fire which penetrated the front of the vest,came out his back,hit the vest armor and riccocheted back into him leaving him pretty well shot up.

[C5M1]

Seen a Vietnam era flak jacket in a surplus store in Washington state, early 80's. Someone had taken the outer and inner shell off and used it for a center fire handgun penetration test. All the bullet holes were marked with a magic marker. Looked like it stopped everything up to and including the 44 magnum. The very last layer of the vest just barely trapped the 44 mag slug. Would of put a bad hurt on anyone wearing it.

Know someone over in Star Valley Wy. did a penetration test on same style vest with a 22 magnum. Penetrated both sides.

regards, dennis

[LanceS4803@aol.com]

DLA100-91-D-0385
Defense Logistics Agency buying center 100. Contract awarded in fiscal year 1991.
Not body armor as we now know it to be, but more a "flak" vest for stopping shrapnel. Jagged edges catch in the interior material, stopping them.
Used in Iraq up to at least 2004 when the new SAPI plate carrying armor started to be fully fielded.

[JBinIll]

DLA100-91-D-0385
Defense Logistics Agency buying center 100. Contract awarded in fiscal year 1991.
Not body armor as we now know it to be, but more a "flak" vest for stopping shrapnel. Jagged edges catch in the interior material, stopping them.
Used in Iraq up to at least 2004 when the new SAPI plate carrying armor started to be fully fielded.

Is there any way to determine a year date for manufacture using the Stock or DLA numbers?I'm trying to put together some VN War period field gear for my collection.Or am I confusing the usage of DSA and DLA numbers if there's a difference.

Edit:From information posted on the U.S.Militaria forum the DLA prefix was in use from 1978 thru 93.It then went to an SPO prefix.

[JBinIll]

Do't know what this one is worth but a VN War period fragmentation vest sans armour just sold on another Forum for $10 after being marked down fron $15.

[LanceS4803@aol.com]

JBinIll,
The contract would have been awarded to Isratex in FY 1991 (1 Oct 1990 to 30 Sep 1991). Delivery would have been anytime after 1 Oct 1990. Isratex may have a small supply on hand of recent manufacture and then went into production to complete the order.
I would say this vest was made in 1991.

[JBinIll]

JBinIll,
The contract would have been awarded to Isratex in FY 1991 (1 Oct 1990 to 30 Sep 1991). Delivery would have been anytime after 1 Oct 1990. Isratex may have a small supply on hand of recent manufacture and then went into production to complete the order.
I would say this vest was made in 1991.

Thanks for the info,much appreciated.

[Master]

Hey i have the same jacket ... in exelent shape and it has the users manul tucked in behind the big tag on the inside ... my manul says "*1981" in big numbers inside the front cover .

[Master]

If you want i can scan the whole booklet for you so you can make your own replica booklet ...... I think the booklet is the coolest part of the whole vest ...

[Master]

my vest has 05 stamped inside it .... i was thinking it was used in 2005

[alibi]

Isratex Inc. DLA contractor code 040996514
59 Scholes St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 112061808

Contract DLA100-91-D-0385 was opened in April 1991 with estimated completion date of December 1991, contract amount was $43,078,000
Product code 8470 Armor Personal.

Contract modified January 3, 1992 -$100,000 estimated completion date March 15, 1992
Contract modified March 9, 1992 +$54,483 estimated completion date March 15, 1992
Contract modified April 21, 1992 -$306,627 estimated completion date April 30, 1992
Contract modified May 22, 1992 +$51,699 estimated completion date May 12, 1993

These contract modifications are not explained in the record but apparently the contract wasn’t completed until May 1993. The (-) amounts may have been penalties for delivery after the specified completion date(s). A vest made with this contract number could have been manufactured any time between April 1991 and May 1993.

This added on manufacture and modifications on the same contract is not unusual and in some cases went on for several years. Most of the contracts were negotiated and completed without added equipment contracted or modifications to the contracted amount.