Bulletproof vest ID required, possibly UK issue.

[666]

I got this thing some time ago, tried to find out exactly what it is but had no luck. Seller stated that this vest was made by American company which deals with military for UK police or maybe army. I don't have the vest with me now, so I'll post manufacturers name tomorrow. I did try to email them some time ago but got no reply. Vest is bulletproof and stab resistant. I suspect that ballistic panels are made out of Tvaron. Not sure about stab resistant panels. Ballistic panels have NIJ level 3 raiting (panels itself have European raiting equal to NIJ L3 on them), not sure about raiting on stab resistant panels.
Vest has two sets of panels inside, soft material (bulletproof I guess) and hard panels (probably stab resistant panels). Has ballistic inserts on the shoulders and groin protection pad which can be stored under the front panel. Carrier has large rifle plate pocket on each half, velcros to attach neck protection, also has whole bunch of loops around it, I suspect that's where equipment/belt is being attached.
Here is some pics.
P.S Vest was made in 2002 if that matters.

[Lerch]

That's definately not the UK army issue vest, so you're left with law enforcement.

[666]

I figured that it's not regular army issue stuff, was thinking maybe SF stuff or some sort of a civilian worker/observer vest for hot spots.

[FOX_111]

It's more like a law enforcement style carrier. Montreal and Laval police wear something very similar. The flaps only hide in a side pouches and 2 pouches for pen and papers are stiched to the front.

[MiniMcNabb]

Could be british overt body armor? Body armor doesn't seem to be as big in europe so I'm not up to snuff.

[Lerch]

Well it's definately not covert!
Probably used by the heavy hitters in the police force.

[firemachine69]

There's no such thing as soft armour with level III rating (well, that "semi-soft" stuff doesn't count, I just forgot the name momentarily).

Those "hard panels" are not designed to be "stab-resistant". They were designed with the purpose of spreading out the impact with a bullet (usuallt 5" by 8")... Since instantly stopping a bullet is still like getting hit by a sledge hammer. Unless we're speaking "full" plate inserts, which are at least 8"x11". Then yes, they may be hardplates. Knock on it, and attempt to figure out if they're ceramic or steel. I know it won't be plastic, that shit's usually an inch thick.

[FOX_111]

There's no such thing as soft armour with level III rating (well, that "semi-soft" stuff doesn't count, I just forgot the name momentarily).

WHAT??

I got soft level IIIA body armor. The A stand for the troma plates on top of it. It's in a "covert" carrier but can be inserted in a outer carrier, such as the one in the picture.

Police officer usually wear level II or level IIA.

I was told by an armorer that level IIIA and up is reserved for swat teams.

EDITED for typos

[firemachine69]

Nope, incorrect there sir.

IIIA is inferior to III. A is a reference, kinda like a "-" symbol, not quite III protection (which would stop certain rifle rounds, generally used against .223), but nearly all "mainstream" handgun ammo (such as 9mm +P, .40, .44 mag, etc.).

Noticed I said nearly all. You'd be a sitting duck with IIIA protection against the man with a Tokarev (since the ammo is un-ordinarily "strong").

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Ballist...n_Levels.shtml

A short summary of armour. Plan on ordering there by the end of January next year.

Level III and level IV are hard armour only. Trauma plates (usually 5"x8") are meant to expand the impact, lessening the amount of injury. They are NOT certified by NIJ, they can, however, help lower the level of injury.

[666]

mattmayhem, no, it's pretty bulky and heavy for a covert vest, that thing cannot be concealed with even a winter jacket.
firemachine69, my bad, vest itself is III-A, but with rifle plates it comes up to III. Those inner panels are not rifle plates, I have 8"X12" rifle plates as well, the inside panels are different. Inner "hard" panels are the same shape as ballistic panels. About 2mm thick and feel like plastic, unfortunately, only way to look at them is cut the insides open, which I won't do.
I thought vest had a manufacturers name on it, but I was mistaken, I guess seller told me the name, so now I have to think hard to remember it
Here's what panels have written on them:

This armor will protect the wearer from specific ballistic and knife threats and offer limited protection from sharp edged or pointed instruments.
This model has been tested to PSDB armour 95 standard and has resisted to penetration (with trauma less or equal to 25mm) of the following rounds:
PSDB test rounds for Threat level type HG2
.357 Magnum 158 grain at 450m/s
9mm 124grain FMJ DM11A1B2 at 425m/s
.44 Magnum 240 grain at 440m/s

Funny thing is that all the good stuff was cut out forom the tags on both panels, all I can see is DOM and words Name, Unit etc. I did research on PSDB, which appears to be UK raiting system.

Edit, You are right about III vs III-A. Right, except for the fact that III-A will hold TT or CZ52 rounds. At least Russian made vests equal to NIJ III-A hold them. I witnessed both of above handguns tested against an old III-A Russian vest.

[FOX_111]

You are talking about level III rifle PLATE! Not to confuse with TRAUMA plate.

Mine is Level IIIA with TRAUMA plate. It's not rated for rifle caliber bullets.

I misunderstood you about the "no level III soft armor".

[porry]

call up 50 cent, looks like the one he wears.

[666]

Originally Posted by porry

call up 50 cent, looks like the one he wears.

I think fitty is wearing Second Chance, or should I say Ninth Chance :lol:

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted by FOX_111

You are talking about level III rifle PLATE! Not to confuse with TRAUMA plate.

Mine is Level IIIA with TRAUMA plate. It's not rated for rifle caliber bullets.

I misunderstood you about the "no level III soft armor".

Good, we all understand each other, I think. :lol:

But yes, a trauma plate does not protect from rifle rounds (which is what a level rating greater then IIIA... so, III or IV, implies). It simply extends the impact area to somewhat lessen the blow.

[MiniMcNabb]

For the record I said OVERT not COVERT....