When the war broke out in 1861, inventers in the north and in the south. began producing metal shields, helmets and vests while promotig them as being Bullet Proof. After some testing both governments considered issuing them to their men, but never did, mostly because of the cost. Depending on the design they ranged in price from $5.to $15. per man. An ad which ran in Harpers Weekly claimed that the armor they produced had been repeatedly and thoroughly tested with plated bullets at 10 paces, rifle bullets at 40 rods, by many army officers and is approved and worn by them. But when the soldiers tested them, the results were tragic (some probably tested thier new "Bullet Proof" vests while still wearing them).
In the first year of the war many of the men purchased thier own vests and some entire regiments were outfitted with them...before marching off to battle.

"> Very soon, though, other soldiers began making fun of the vests and those who wore them.
On long marches the extra 10 pounds of steel plate proved to be too hot, too heavy and too uncomfortable to wear. Thousands of these vest were discarded into roadside ditches and virtually everywhere else soldiers made long marches.

  Site Navigation Menu

Menu Page	Page 1 Home	Menu Page 2
Guest Book	Message Board	E-mail
	F.A.Q.