South African Chestrigs

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slaaibak
Posts: 303
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:12 am
Name: Slaai
Location: Roodepoort - ZAR

South African Chestrigs

Post by slaaibak »

As some of you might know, I collect Southern African Militaria, Especially Camo.

Some of the items in my collection, and thought It might be relevant to share with you guys as some of you own the accompanying weapons some actually used with these items.
If you like these, I will post some more

NB< if you have something I dont... lets lalk, I'll give it a good home

SOUTH AFRICA (Pre 1994)

SADF - Pattern 83 Chest Webbing
Capacity: 6x AK or R4/Galil
2x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
Map Pocket at back
Nutria Brown Nylon with Black Clips and Velcro
very Well Made, These are tough as nails

Front:
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Back:
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SWA - Pattern 83 Chest Webbing
Mag Capacity: 10x AK or R4/Galil
2x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
Map Pocket at back
Chocolate Brown Nylon with Black Clips and Velcro
very Well Made, These are tough as nails

FRONT:
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BACK:
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SWA - Pattern 83 Chest Webbing
Mag Capacity: 5x FAl or G3 mags
2x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
Map Pocket at back
Chocolate Brown Nylon with Black Clips and Velcro
Well Made

FRONT:
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BACK:
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32 Battalion "Experimental" Chest Webbing
Mag Capacity: 6x AK or R4/Galil
4x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
DMP Camo Map Pocket at back
Nutria Brown Nylon with Black Clips and Velcro
Well Made
Features DPM Shoulder Straps aswell

FRONT
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BACK
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32 Battalion DPM Chest Webbing
Mag Capacity: 6x AK or R4/Galil
4x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
DMP Camo Map Pocket at back
DPM Camo Nylon with Black Clips and Velcro
Well Made
Features DPM Shoulder Straps aswell
The Blackening of this Pattern Webbing is due to the waterproofing that the 32BN members applied to them

FRONT
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BACK
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32 Battalion Emerald green Chest Webbing
Mag Capacity: 6x AK or R4/Galil
4x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
Emerald green Map Pocket at back
Emerald green Nylon with Black Clips and Velcro
Well Made, These consisted of a Set or Backpack, Chest rig and Battle vest.
there is also a veriant that has a Pistol holster.

FRONT
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32 Battalion / Koevoet FAL Emerald green Chest Webbing
Mag Capacity: 4x FAL or G3 Mags
4x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
NO Map Pocket at back
Emerald green Nylon with Green Coated Steel Loop Fastners
Well Made

FRONT
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SADF Bateleur 90 Chestrig - 1st Type - TEXCRAFT
Mag Capacity: 6x R4/Galil or AK Mags
3x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
1x Pistol Holster
1x Pencil Flare Sleeve
NO Map Pocket at back
Nutria Brown Nylon with Plastic and Steel Fastners
Made by TEXTCRAFT
Used by paratroopers as part of the Bateleur 90 system

FRONT
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BACK
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SADF Bateleur 90 Chestrig - 2nd Type - BACKPACKER
Mag Capacity: 6x R4/Galil or AK Mags
3x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
1x Pistol Holster
1x Pencil Flare Sleeve
NO Map Pocket at back
Nutria Brown Nylon with Plastic and Steel Fastners
Made by BACKPACKER
Used by paratroopers as part of the Bateleur 90 system


FRONT
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BACK
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SADF Bateleur 90 Chestrig - 3rd Type - 3 Spears
Mag Capacity: 6x R4/Galil or AK Mags
3x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
1x Pistol Holster
1x Pencil Flare Sleeve
NO Map Pocket at back
Nutria Brown Nylon with Plastic Fastners
Made by 3 SPEARS
Used by paratroopers as part of the Bateleur 90 system

FRONT
Dont have one in my collection yet

BACK
Dont have one in my collection yet


SADF Pathfinder Parafox Webbing
Mag Capacity: 6x R4/Galil or AK Mags
3x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
1x Pistol Holster
1x Pencil Flare Sleeve
NO Map Pocket at back
Nutria Brown Nylon with Plastic Fastners
Very Well Made
Used by SADF Pathfinders

FRONT
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BACK
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SADF Reconnaissance "Recce" Chestrig
Mag Capacity: 6x R4/Galil or AK Mags
4x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
NO Map Pocket at back
Made From Canvas and uses green velcro
Used by SA Special Forces

FRONT:
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BACK:
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CHINA

Chinese Type81 Chestrig
Capacity: 4x AK or R4/Galil
2x Grenade/Accessory Pouches
Map Pocket at back
Green Chinese canvas?
Chinese made and typical to what was used by SWAPO, FAPLA etc


FRONT:
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Thuvan
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2019 10:23 pm
Name: Thuvan

Re: South African Chestrigs

Post by Thuvan »

Hello Slaaibak

I never knew about the different m83 pattern chest rigs.
Do you have detailed dimensions of the rigs especially pre 1994, bateleur 90 and recce rigs.
Even just accurate dimensions of just the pouches.

I would like to make accurate and sturdy reproductions for myself, i have even asked other members for p83 dimensions.

Regards

Thuvan.
User avatar
PfcRed
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2020 7:23 am
Name: Guy

Re: South African Chestrigs

Post by PfcRed »

Alex, this thread is lekker! I really like the 32 Battalion rigs, but never seen them on Bidorbuy. Do they pop up sometimes?

I'll attempt to make a small contribution. I asked you about "early" and "late" patterns of M83 nutria brown SADF chest rigs because mentioned and because I own one that is different from all others I've usually seen, as in it's lacking the reinforcing black nylon stripe in center of the shoulder pads (like the first one posted). Unsure of date, if it's just a production variation or it's an early or later pattern compared to the "reinforced" shoulder pads type.
M83 Chest Rig soft shoulder pads 1.jpeg
M83 Chest Rig soft shoulder pads 1.jpeg (136.6 KiB) Viewed 8686 times
M83 Chest Rig soft shoulder pads 2.jpeg
M83 Chest Rig soft shoulder pads 2.jpeg (154.2 KiB) Viewed 8686 times
M83 Chest Rig soft shoulder pads 3.jpeg
M83 Chest Rig soft shoulder pads 3.jpeg (212.44 KiB) Viewed 8686 times
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