S&W Ballistic Nylon Body Armor and Grenades

Published on January 4, 2016
Duration: 5:06

This entry details the Smith & Wesson Barrier Vest Model 434-C and the 'Mighty Midget' tear gas grenade, as presented by Ian McCollum. The vest, used by NYPD in the 1970s, combines 18 layers of ballistic nylon rated for .38 S&W with steel plates offering protection against .30 Carbine rounds. The grenades utilized a revolver-mounted launcher.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson Barrier Vest Model 434-C, used by the NYPD in the early 1970s, combined 18 layers of ballistic nylon rated for .38 S&W rounds with steel plates offering protection against .30 Caliber Carbine rounds. It also featured modular components like a removable groin protector.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to S&W Barrier Vest
  2. 01:16Ballistic Nylon and Protection Levels
  3. 02:43S&W Tear Gas Grenades and Launcher
  4. 03:46Vest Details and Markings

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the S&W Barrier Vest Model 434-C designed to protect against?

The S&W Barrier Vest Model 434-C was designed with 18 layers of ballistic nylon to stop .38 S&W rounds and included steel plates for protection against .30 Caliber Carbine rounds, making it suitable for early 1970s law enforcement threats.

How were the 'Mighty Midget' tear gas grenades deployed?

The 'Mighty Midget' tear gas grenades were deployed using a specialized launcher mounted on a Smith & Wesson revolver. This projector used blank cartridges to propel the grenade, which featured a contact fuse for detonation.

When and where was the S&W Barrier Vest Model 434-C primarily used?

The S&W Barrier Vest Model 434-C was primarily used by US police departments in the early 1970s, notably by the New York City Police Department (NYPD), marking an early adoption of body armor in American law enforcement.

What materials comprised the S&W Barrier Vest Model 434-C?

The S&W Barrier Vest Model 434-C was constructed with 18 layers of ballistic nylon for general protection and incorporated steel plates in the chest, back, and groin areas for enhanced resistance against higher-velocity threats.

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