That vest is a DOAV (Delta Operator Assault Vest) made by Blackhawk Industries. You have an old on there, made in the mid/late 1990s, before they moved production overseas. Ive got one just like that, and the buckles are all dated 1995/96, so they were made around then. They were commonly used by SF and CAG guys back prior to 2004ish. How much did you get this for if you dont mind my asking?

Cool vest.

Actually.... "Could you do any better than it?" is kind of rude way to ask for bargain. Best way to do is to offer how much you're willing to pay.

Mercenary25 wrote:Cool vest.

Actually.... "Could you do any better than it?" is kind of rude way to ask for bargain. Best way to do is to offer how much you're willing to pay.

Actually....I asked him if $45 was the best he could do. Same difference though. I have been going to gun shows and militaria shows for over twenty years and this is how it is done. I never run someone's item down like I see MANY people do. If I see an item I want, I will ask if that is best they can do. That gives the seller the oppurtunity to lower the price or keep it the same. You can ask Steven...he has seen me in action before. He can attest to the fact I am NEVER rude to anyone I do business with.

Then the dealer is a straight up prick.

nkomo wrote: LOL! You are right about it being made by Blackhawk Industries. It is a spitting image of the other DOAV I have in my other war room (yes.....I have two war rooms). The buckles are made by AWS and are dated 1996. The date stamp was so small that I had to use a magnifying glass to view it.

Where did this vest come from? This vest came from the Show of Shows. I was walking past a dealer and saw this vest hanging behind the table. I asked the guy how much he had on the item and he said $45. I asked if he could do any better and he said "No." I bought it and asked about a 3-Color FLC he had hanging on the rack. It was an odd piece because it had 3-Color SPEAR pouches attached to it, rather than standard MOLLE pouches. He had $65 on that one and I passed like a dumbass. When I came back to buy the FLC...the dealer and his buddy were bad mouthing me for asking for a better price. To add insult to injury...the dealer had raised the price to $85. Needless to say.....I walked away.

What made me upset was this guy had bought three large duffle bags full of SF gear and uniforms, but absolutely refused to dig anything else out. He wasn't a SF collector...he was a helmet collector. He told me "I don't have time to dig this shit out. I have other things to worry about than this shit." I still had quite a bit of money left and would have dropped quite a bit at his table if he hadn't of been a prick.

Well.....you got more than you bargained for when you asked where I got it. Honestly...sometimes the back-story is just as interesting as the item.

$45 is a very nice deal for that. I got mine for almost 3 times as much, but still less than MSRP. lol I wouldnt worry too much about missing that FLC. They come around a lot and are worth like $20. Ive seen pics of SF guys using those with DCU SPEAR ELCS pouches on them with SDS MOLLE II pouches during spring 2003 in Iraq. You could easily grab one and through on some pouches and it would be the same thing.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with that dude. But look on the bright side... you got a nice vest for cheap, and didnt give that jackass anymore of your money lol.

nkomo wrote: LOL! You are right about it being made by Blackhawk Industries. It is a spitting image of the other DOAV I have in my other war room (yes.....I have two war rooms). The buckles are made by AWS and are dated 1996. The date stamp was so small that I had to use a magnifying glass to view it.

Where did this vest come from? This vest came from the Show of Shows. I was walking past a dealer and saw this vest hanging behind the table. I asked the guy how much he had on the item and he said $45. I asked if he could do any better and he said "No." I bought it and asked about a 3-Color FLC he had hanging on the rack. It was an odd piece because it had 3-Color SPEAR pouches attached to it, rather than standard MOLLE pouches. He had $65 on that one and I passed like a dumbass. When I came back to buy the FLC...the dealer and his buddy were bad mouthing me for asking for a better price. To add insult to injury...the dealer had raised the price to $85. Needless to say.....I walked away.

What made me upset was this guy had bought three large duffle bags full of SF gear and uniforms, but absolutely refused to dig anything else out. He wasn't a SF collector...he was a helmet collector. He told me "I don't have time to dig this shit out. I have other things to worry about than this shit." I still had quite a bit of money left and would have dropped quite a bit at his table if he hadn't of been a prick.

Well.....you got more than you bargained for when you asked where I got it. Honestly...sometimes the back-story is just as interesting as the item.

YOU HAVE 2 WAR ROOMS?????!!!! I HATE YOU!! LOL
I have one+ my office and all the garage lol, you must be a single guy!!
lol, super cool vest bro!!
paul

That is why I like this forum....excellent resource for research. I have loads of stuff laying around that "looks high speed" but I just can't fiqure out exactly what it is.....

This vest had a CAS (close air support) card in the inner pocket with the protracter. The CAS card has segment for the AC-130 gunship, HELO, fighter, and medivac protocal. Moreover, it has all the A team members names, rank, blood type, MOS (18A-Z), and a BR# (not sure what that is).

Yeap, this is special forces.....

Beautiful vest, John!

Here is mine.



Reference photo of DOAV vest in use. (RIP)

Hi very nice topic, thanks for the add pics

Hi merc your SF display is amazing thanks for sharing us

very cool vests ,far superior to Brit issue equivelants,I will never tire of woodland pattern,timeless classic camo IMHO

ladrang, thanks!

Here is another picture of DOAV being worn. Not sure if he is SF, CAG, or contractor.

MyZone wrote:That is why I like this forum....excellent resource for research. I have loads of stuff laying around that "looks high speed" but I just can't fiqure out exactly what it is.....

This vest had a CAS (close air support) card in the inner pocket with the protracter. The CAS card has segment for the AC-130 gunship, HELO, fighter, and medivac protocal. Moreover, it has all the A team members names, rank, blood type, MOS (18A-Z), and a BR# (not sure what that is).

Yeap, this is special forces.....

BR#=Battle Roster number...would you be willing to take a scan of that card and PMm it?

I'm also interested to see that card. Can you scan both side ? Thanks in advance.

Mercenary25 wrote:Here is mine.



Reference photo of DOAV vest in use. (RIP)

If i'm not mistaken, The SF soldier standing next to the red vehicle is MSG Horrigan. KIA in OIF. There is a large plaque/picture in the barber shop I used to got to near Bragg that is a memorial to him. I believe MSG Horrigan used to get his hair cut there too while he was @ Ft. Bragg.

http://www.groups.sfahq.com/7th/horrigan_robert_kia.htm

"All Gave Some, Some Gave All"

RIP

You are correct, that is Bob Horrigan.

nkomo wrote:The buckles are made by AWS and are dated 1996. The date stamp was so small that I had to use a magnifying glass to view it.

Great find Nkomo, if your DOAV have AWS buckles, it's the AWS DOAV so.
BHI took the design of the AWS DOAV to produce their own, the AWS one id older and even more hard to find, really nice catch so!