In a phrase - body armor plates. That's right, I have just gotten some for a tactical vest that I have displayed. It's my theory that you can't truly say that you are a serious collector unless you go all the way with it. And in the case of collecting different sorts of protective gear, that means outfitting at least one or two of them with the genuine ability to stop a bullet. This adds to the authenticity for me, even if the look of the particular piece doesn't actually change much. I can tell the difference though.
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 Ceradyne Level III LARGE Sapi esapi body armor plates  US $154.49
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 Ceradyne Level III LARGE NEW Sapi body armor plates US $115.50
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 2x SAPI Dyneema Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ LVL III US $399.00
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 1x SAPI Dyneema Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ LVL III US $199.00
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 BODY ARMOR LVL III MEDIUM WITH PLATES Kestrel OSPREY US $370.00
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 Bullet Proof Vest Body Armor 3A 2 ballistic plate 3 US $177.50
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 Ceradyne Level III Medium Sapi esapi body armor plate US $140.00
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 VooDoo MOLLE Body Armor Plate Carrier Chest Rig Vest B US $74.95
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 2x SAPI Vest Ceramic Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ Lv 3 US $199.00
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 1x SAPI Vest Ceramic Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ Lv 3 US $99.00
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 2 Anti Trauma Panels Plates Bulletproof Body Armor Vest US $19.99
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 MOLLE Modular Body Armor Plate Carrier Chest Rig ACU US $67.95
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 MOLLE Modular Body Armor Plate Carrier Chest Rig Tan US $67.95
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 MOLLE PAL Modular Body Armor Plate Carrier Chest Rig OD US $67.95
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 Protective Prod Body Armor Level lII IIIA w PLATES US $649.95
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 MOLLE Quick Release Body Armor Plate Carrier Multicam US $144.95
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 NEW POINT BLANK 5x8 STP PLATE POLICE BODY ARMOR US $149.99
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 NEW POINT BLANK 8x10 STP PLATE POLICE BODY ARMOR US $149.99
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 NEW PACA 5x8 SOFT BLUNT TRAUMA PLATE POLICE BODY ARMOR US $15.99
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 OTV SET 2 SIDE BODY ARMOR HARD SAPI PLATE US $200.00
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 Combat Point Blank Body Armor XL FITS 2 10 X 12 PLATES US $118.00
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 Voodoo MOLLE Body Armor Plate Carrier Vest Rig Multicam US $104.95
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 2x SAPI Ceramic Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ Level III US $199.00
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 1x SAPI Ceramic Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ Level III US $99.00
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 2x SAPI Dyneema Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ Level III US $299.00
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 1x SAPI Dyneema Personal Body Armor Plate NIJ Level III US $149.00
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 LATEST DBT ESAPI 111A HARD PLATES BODY ARMOR SAPI US $549.99
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 ESAPI Ceramic Body Armor Front Back 2 Side Plates US $56.00
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 set 2 Large black body armor hard sapi plates US $299.99
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 TRAUMA PLATE Bulletproof Body Armor vest Bullet proof US $24.95
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So, while I'm sure that almost no-one who comes to my home will ever look closely enough to tell whether a vest really has body armor plates in it or not, it's important to me that there is one that does. I got a complete set of body armor plates for my favorite piece, which I have displayed in a spare room that I have devoted entirely to my hobby. This was no small expense, but completely worth it to me. Even if all my armor is just for show.
My ideas about this are due in part to my feeling that it is imperative that things be genuine for them to really be considered a slice of history. Having real body armor plates in a vest does indeed make it completely genuine. As I mentioned somewhere else in my blog, the history is a prime motivation for me. I look at these pieces like an archeologist would look at a fossil. I was once asked how this applies to modern day gear. My answer to that is simply that it is a bit of history in the making that I am lucky enough to be able to snatch up and add to the things that I own. Time marches forward and what was once the cutting edge of militaria becomes outdated, after all.
I saw an interesting documentary about that on television recently. It was a show about warfare through the ages, and how much things have changed. Even just in the last several decades. Tactics, training, and equipment aren't what they used to be. They have all evolved. I am happy that I have the opportunity to capture a small bit of that evolution in my home. Body armor plates and all! Like a private museum almost. I do flatter myself somewhat by that last statement, but I am proud of some of the pieces that I have managed to acquire.
My only hope is that I can continue to add to my collection of armor through the ages. I have been very fortunate so far in that I have had the opportunity to pursue my hobby. It's certainly not a very practical one, and not for everyone. These things can get expensive and I never take for granted that I will always have the extra funds to devote to it. But for right now, I have the body armor plates that I wanted. I can't wait to show my friends.