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Army Right Angle Flashlights

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Fulton MX-991/U Right Angle Flashlight: The definitive, classic US military-issue flashlight used since the Vietnam War era.

The development history of the military right-angle flashlight spans nearly a century, tracking the evolution of modern military field gear from heavy, fragile pre-WWII tools into ubiquitous polymer designs.

The Pre-WWII Foundation: The TL-122 Series

Before the iconic plastic version existed, the US military relied on a progression of brass and metal right-angle lights designed to clip onto a soldier's uniform or web gear for hands-free utility:

TL-122-A (1937–1941): Made of stamped brass with a black or olive drab finish, utilizing a screw-on tail cap and a simple slide switch.
TL-122-B (1941–1943): Due to wartime brass shortages, the military shifted to molded plastic (Tenite/Bakelite). However, these early plastics suffered from distinct chemically foul odors and warped under extreme battlefield heat or arctic cold.
TL-122-C (1943): Introduced an upgraded, weather-resistant plastic compound to resolve the warping issues, cementing polymer as the future framework of military lights.
TL-122-D (1944): Added an extended base cap housing integrated color filters (blue, red) and a spare bulb. This configuration laid the groundwork for the modern design.

The Vietnam Era and the MX-99/U

High-Impact Plastic: The body was upgraded to a dense, shatterproof polymer capable of surviving hard drops.
Deeply Recessed Lens Shroud: The lens ring was deepened to minimize side-light spill, keeping the light beam tightly directed forward so enemies could not spot the source from the flank.
"Underwater" Gasketing: The "U" designation highlighted the addition of rubber O-rings, rendering the battery and lens compartments highly water-resistant in monsoons.

The Peak Icon: The MX-991/U "Moonbeam"

Developed during the Vietnam War, the MX-991/U stands as the definitive military right-angle flashlight. While mimicking the MX-99/U, it introduced a metal switch guard to prevent the flashlight from accidentally turning on in a pack and draining the batteries. [ ]
The primary developer, Fulton Industries (alongside G.T. Price for a short period), secured the main contract. Fulton has remained a core U.S. military supplier ever since. This model became colloquially known as the "Moonbeam" across various military branches. [ ]

Tactical Shift: The LED Er

By the early 2000s the incandescent bulb and dual D-cell battery platform became obsolete for tactical frontlines.
Modern military and tactical operators transitioned away from fixed-body plastic shells to modular, aluminum, high-output LED right-angle lights (like Streamlight and Nitecore). These modern versions pack thousands of lumens, use lithium multi-fuel systems, feature built-in strobe/beacon modes, and integrate natively into helmet mounts and MOLLE webbing.

Associated

Military Flashlights
xxx

Back to Mike Webb Collection

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London Bridge Gas Mask Carrier Bag DIG2 / AOR1

LBT AOR1 DIG2

Gas Mask Carrier Bag
2008

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This is a

Brand

London Bridge Trading

TITLE

GAS MASK CARRIER BAG

Part Number

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Date

May 2008

nSN

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MATERIALS

Cordura 500D

Contract

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OBJECT TYPE

Dump Pouch

LOT NUMBER

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NASA ID

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London Bridge LBT Rare Silver Tag 804 Prototype 300 Win Mag Sniper Stock Pouch

PERSON DEPICTED

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DIMENSIONS

image size: 7 1/4 x 9 1/2 in.
paper size: 8 x 10 in.

CREDIT LINE

~~The Jack Shear Collection of Photography at the Tang Teaching Museum~~

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London Bridge LBT-1952D AOR1 Gas Mask Carrier Bag / Drop Leg

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https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/eagle-industries-rba-cummerbund-3921226544

Protective Materials Company PS-930 Ranger Body Armor RBA 75th Black Hawk Down | #469109817

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/protective-materials-company-ps-930-469109817

Eagle Industries Roll Up Dump pouch DIG2 / AOR1

Eagle AOR1 DIG2

Roll Up Dump Pouch
2009-10

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This is a

Brand

Eagle Industries / EIUI

TITLE

LIGHTWEIGHT ROLL-UP DUMP POUCH

Part Number

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Date

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nSN

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MATERIALS

Cordura 500D

Contract

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OBJECT TYPE

Dump Pouch

LOT NUMBER

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NASA ID

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London Bridge LBT Rare Silver Tag 804 Prototype 300 Win Mag Sniper Stock Pouch

PERSON DEPICTED

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DIMENSIONS

image size: 7 1/4 x 9 1/2 in.
paper size: 8 x 10 in.

CREDIT LINE

~~The Jack Shear Collection of Photography at the Tang Teaching Museum~~

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https://webbingbabel.blogspot.com/2015/04/eagle-industries-atlantic-diving-supply.html

This is a Eagle Industries Roll Up Dump pouch in DIG2 AOR1.

Super Rare!

Swiss Army Grundtrageeinheit 90 (GTE 90) / an Introduction

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Grundtrageeinheit 90
Basic support unit 90

The Grundtrageeinheit 90 (GTE 90) uses a standardized pouch configuration designed for the average infantryman, but it is modular enough to be adapted for specialized roles.

Pouch Configuration by Role

The base system includes a harness and a hip belt where pouches are attached using a proprietary Swiss clip system (pre-dating modern MOLLE).

Standard Infantry (Fusilier):

2x Double Magazine Pouches / Doppelmagazintaschen: Positioned at the front for quick access. Each pouch holds two 20-round magazines for the Stgw 90 (SIG 550).

1x Bayonet Scabbard / Bajonett-Halterung: Usually worn on the left hip or attached to the side of a magazine pouch.

1x Canteen Pouch / Feldflaschentasche: Located on the rear or side-rear, housing the 0.8L Swiss field bottle and cup.

1x Protective Mask Bag / Schutzmaskentasche 90: Typically worn on the left side (often with its own separate leg strap or attached to the belt) for rapid CBRN response.

M90 Field Pack (Kampfrucksack): A rubberized, waterproof backpack (approx. 24 x 18 inches) featuring a main compartment, two side pockets, and a net for securing a helmet.

Gefechtspackung: A "battle pack" configuration used when the full rucksack is not required for immediate combat.

Medic (Soldat Sanitaire):

Replaces one or more standard magazine pouches with a specialized Medical Pouch or carries a separate medical satchel. Modern updates often integrate a "Roll 1" style trauma pouch for lumbar support and dual-side access.

Grenadier/Specialist:

Additional small pouches for HG 85 Hand Grenades or 40mm grenades (if using the grenade launcher attachment).

Often features a larger utility pouch for extra batteries or specialized tools.

Development

The development of the Grundtrageeinheit 90 (GTE 90) was driven by the Swiss Army's transition from the heavy, Cold War-era "all-in-one" uniform concept to a modern, modular system.
Its creation followed these key evolutionary steps:

Shift from the M70 "Alpenflage" System
Before the GTE 90, Swiss soldiers used the M70 uniform, which integrated load-bearing pockets directly into a heavy combat jacket. While iconic, this "all-in-one" concept was bulky, poorly ventilated, and difficult to adjust. The development of the GTE 90 aimed to separate the clothing from the equipment-carrying role.

Synchronization with the Stgw 90 (SIG 550)

The GTE 90 was developed specifically to support the Sturmgewehr 90, which began full-scale production in the early 1990s.

Ammunition Capacity: It replaced the older leather and canvas pouches with synthetic, lightweight pouches designed for the 5.56mm NATO (Gp 90) plastic magazines.

Bayonet Integration: The bayonet holder was redesigned to fit the new Model 90 bayonet, as the previous rifle's attachments were no longer compatible.

The "Armee 95" Reform
The GTE 90 was officially introduced as part of the Armee 95 reform package. This reform prioritized:

Modular Design: Allowing soldiers to attach or remove pouches (e.g., mask bags, canteen pouches) based on their specific mission.
Improved Ergonomics: Distributing weight more evenly across the hips and shoulders compared to the older belt-only systems.

Camouflage Integration (TAZ 90)
Developed alongside the TAZ 90 (Tarnanzug 90) camouflage pattern, the GTE 90 components were some of the first to feature the new four-color woodland scheme. This pattern was scientifically designed by ETH Zurich specifically to match the Swiss landscape.

Modern Successor (MBAS)
After nearly 30 years of service, the GTE 90 is currently being phased out by the MBAS (Modulares Bekleidungs- und Ausrüstungssystem). This new system features the TAZ 16 camouflage and focuses on even higher modularity and integrated ballistic protection.

Associated

Grundtrageeinheit 90 (GTE 90)
MBAS

Back to Mike Webb Collection

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Grundtrageeinheit 90 (GTE 90)

This system has largely been replaced or supplemented in recent years by the newer KS21 or similar modern modular load-bearing systems, but it remains a staple in military surplus and collector circles.

Technical Materials & Construction

The GTE 90 was a significant jump in material science for the Swiss Army, moving away from heavy leather and cotton canvas.

Fabric: The primary material is a high-density, waterproof technical polyamide (Nylon).Composition: Typically 90% Polyamide (PA) and 10% Polyurethane (PU) coating for waterproofing.

Weight: The fabric is approximately 270–280 GSM (Grams per Square Meter), making it a "medium-heavy" weight material that balances durability with weight savings.

Camouflage: Features the TAZ 90 (Tarnanzug 90) pattern. The dyes used are IR-treated to reduce the soldier's signature under night-vision devices.
Durability Features:Gusseted Pockets: Many pouches use folded gussets to allow for expansion when full while maintaining a slim profile when empty.

Reinforced Stitching: Critical stress points on the harness and belt are double- or triple-stitched to handle the weight of a full combat load (approx. 15-20 kg).

Schutzmaske 90 neu mit Schuma Tasche GTE 90

https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/vintage-sanitaetstasche-b-ddr-produktion-komplett!-1311397178/

Swiss Army Mountain Rucksack M71

Swiss Backpacks

Swiss Mountain Rucksack M-71
1970s

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Description

Transition to Modern Materials (1970s)

Following the M-71, the Swiss military shifted its development philosophy toward synthetic materials.

Rubberized Vinyl: In the early 1980s, the classic "Salt & Pepper" canvas was replaced by rubberized olive-drab vinyl.

Durability vs. Weight: While the M-71 is celebrated for its longevity, the newer rubberized versions were designed for absolute waterproofness and easier mass production, though they lacked the breathability of the original flax/nettle blend.

Key Specifications and Design

Material: Built from a heavy-duty, rubberized vinyl/canvas ("plastifizierte Stoff") that is naturally waterproof. It features a thick, reinforced leather bottom and heavy-duty leather straps.

Frame: Equipped with an internal metal frame and a horizontal lumbar support bar to manage heavy loads.

Modular Storage:Main Compartment: Approximately 50cm tall, featuring a drawstring closure under a top lid.

Expansion: The design is highly modular; users can compress it for light loads or expand it to carry bulky items like a sleeping bag.

PART NUM.

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TITLE

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DATE

1970-1980s-

FORMAT

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COLLECTION

Swiss Army Backpacks

ACQUISITION

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REFERENCE

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History note Category

The story of the Swiss Army Mountain Rucksack is one of geographic necessity and engineering excellence, evolving from a WWII innovation into the "bombproof" M73 used today.

1. The WWII Origin: "Salt and Pepper" (1940s–1960s)
The lineage began during WWII when Switzerland, surrounded by Axis powers and subject to blockades, lost access to cotton. The Invention: Swiss engineers developed a unique, heavy-duty fabric using flax and stinging nettle fibers.
The Look: The blend of light and dark fibers created the iconic "Salt and Pepper" (Salz & Pfeffer) pattern.
Mountain Specifics: Unlike standard infantry packs, the mountain version featured a rifle sleeve—a hidden vertical tube designed for Alpine troops to carry their K31 rifles while skiing or climbing.

2. The Evolution to Rubberized Vinyl (1970s)
As military requirements modernized, the Swiss shifted from the organic nettle canvas to synthetic protection. The M73 Transition: In the early 1970s, the design evolved into the M73 (Mountain Rucksack 73). While it kept the leather bottom and metal frame of its predecessors, the fabric was replaced with a rubberized, waterproof vinyl (often called "plastifizierte Stoff").
Engineering: It was designed to be modular. A soldier could use the internal metal frame and leather straps to compress the pack for scouting or expand it to carry up to 85 liters of gear for long Alpine missions.

Printed Label

Associated