USGI Vietnam Era XM3 Bipod w/ Cover

The XM3 bipod was the quick solution to a stable firing position in mixed terrain for the US military. It is carried stowed in the pouch (3rd pattern is what is included here) on the belt and to deploy, the soldier simply pinches it like a clothespin and allows it to close on the barrel of their rifle.

Good in theory, but what users often didn’t account for was the significant upward projection of their rounds when firing due to the pressure on the barrel. This example is marked “COLT” with that lovely pony all the collectors get tight pants over.