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double j
01-09-2010, 20:01
boy did i luck up and found a stash of these hammocks and at an extremely cheap price.... if your intersted in part of vietnam history pm and ill give some info.... The guy where i bought these said our marines would climb to the top of trees during vietnam and hang there hammocks and stay there for days.They would listen for the enemies coming then would radio back to the post.



Development of the M1966 Jungle Hammock began in July 1966 when USARV requested a lightweight compact hammock for use in Vietnam. The standard model was too heavy (3lb 14oz.) and too bulky to be carried on combat operations and as a result soldiers frequently slept on the jungle floor.

Natick Labs fabricated a prototype 1lb. 6oz. hammock made from a single layer of nylon fabric that was based on a captured North Vietnamese design. They also procured a 1lb. 8oz. rectangular nylon fishnet type hammock from commercial sources. One hundred hammocks of each design were sent to Vietnam for evaluation in September 1966 and in April 1967 ACTIV recommended that the NVA style model be procured for issue to U.S. forces.1

The production M1966 hammock was made from a single layer of 100” by 34”nylon cloth with a draw cord tunnel at each end through which 14ft of braided rope was passed. An elastic cord with a toggle was attached to each rope, which allowed a poncho (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/kit.aspx?kit=198) to be quickly suspended above the hammock for rain protection.2 Spreader sticks could be inserted into the corner grommets of the poncho to ensure a rain shedding gable-ended canopy.

Unfortunately, though the nylon fabric used in the production M1966 hammock was sufficiently tightly woven to stop mosquitoes biting through it, it also made the bed virtually waterproof and prevented sweaty skin from drying.3
1. Support To United States Army In Vietnam - Clothing & Equipment (United States Army Material Command Feb 1967)
2. Support To United States Army In Vietnam - Clothing & Organic Materials Vol II (United States Army Material Command Aug 1968)
3. Jungle Snafus...and Remedies (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1884067107/vietnamgear-20) by Cresson H. Kearny (Oregon Institute Of Science And Medicine 1996)

gardenville
01-09-2010, 23:39
I have two of the Army Issue versions that I got in 1968. It was called the M-1965 and I still have the tags and repair kits.

I have used mine a lot and in December 2009 started modifying one of them for deep winter use. Anyone that is interested can see my thread at "hammock forums":

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12606

Hooch
01-09-2010, 23:44
.......The guy where i bought these said our marines would climb to the top of trees.......You mean Marines. It's a title and therefore capitalized. Just sayin'. :rolleyes::D

double j
01-10-2010, 00:58
You mean Marines. It's a title and therefore capitalized. Just sayin'. :rolleyes::D
sorry when i type on the computer i just type i dont pay a whole lot of att. to proper typing lol thanks tho

double j
01-10-2010, 00:58
I have two of the Army Issue versions that I got in 1968. It was called the M-1965 and I still have the tags and repair kits.

I have used mine a lot and in December 2009 started modifying one of them for deep winter use. Anyone that is interested can see my thread at "hammock forums":

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12606
im gonna go check your link im on hammockforums also

Surplusman
01-10-2010, 11:06
An M-66 jungle hammock with the poncho as a cover is my backpacking companion. Beats the hell out of a tent or a shelter. A lot of M-66's I've seen don't have the clips for attaching the poncho but I made a pair out of aluminum when I started out and used bungee cords for the elastic cords used on the originals.

58starter
01-10-2010, 11:25
double j where can I get one.

double j
01-10-2010, 13:50
double j where can I get one.
i think there was about 15 left im gonna buy a few more just to keep for freinds and family...

These are brand new but may have a defect. The one i just purchased had a small hole where they overstiched it on the seam,,,, easy fix. unzip it and sew it back no biggie. Some look new some dont. They weigh just over 1pnd.
Im gonna hang mine then post pics back here.

I paid $15 for my hammock. Its a 30 min drive from my house . So shipping and gas ill ship it for $30 paypal only that way were safe.... Just let me know

double j
01-10-2010, 14:47
well i just hung my hammock and i have to say i think its much smaller the my hennassy. I would not recommend this for a larger man.