SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket (M83)

Pattern M83 Battle Jacket used by South Africa through the Border War and up to today. A fine and highly versitile piece of kit far ahead of its time and proven time and time again in combat. Very pleased to have aquired it.


I got ahold of it through the youtube user AfricanBushcraft, a really nice guy who helped me out quite a bit..
http://www.youtube.com/user/AfricanBushcraft

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[colingm]

I used the M83 in the SADF for a few years, they are very tough and last well in the bush and in combat. The M83 was designed for quick access to mags for the R4 and R5 as well as being able to un-invasive during combat. This is a great bit of kit, well remembered and respected.

[locknloadvideo]

@colingm Cool, are you originally from the RSA? By the way, I just ordered the M83 chest webbing cant wait till it arrives.

[colingm]

@locknloadvideo I am originally form England moved to RSA in 1971 (aged 7) spent many years there, now I live in NZ. I miss it but it is no longer there. 

[locknloadvideo]

@colingm Right on.

[mirageF1AZ]

I used to have the same webbing. we used the flap on the back wich you indicated as a camelpack for belt ammo for the FN MAG. Aswell you didnt discover the map pouch. Where the clips are on you chest Im not to sure wich side but there are a map pouch closed with valcro.

[locknloadvideo]

@mirageF1AZ Yes. I made this video right after I got it, I think Im going to reshoot it because this video doesnt do the vest justice.

[BothaBoeta]

plus I have a water hydration bladder in the main middle compartment...

[BothaBoeta]

O yes-I now serve in the US and still carry the same rig when I can...just not in brown,but ACU

[BothaBoeta]

Got it right,However it wont fit 308 round mags.You can purchase new remakes made in the UK called "Durban Assault Vests" The small pouches you mentioned at roughly 405 min is for the "ballestiet rondtes" or very powerful "blank rounds that will propel a rifle grenade slipped over the barrel.The larger top middle back pouch was mostly used for a bivy canvas and your "dixies"(food pans")zipped in the bottom smaller one.The large side compartments take waterbottles now remade in Aus.

[southafrican101]

I can say, from personal experience, that this design is the best I've seen. Perfect weight distribution, and excellent heat management (designed for sub-tropical battle conditions).

You can buy these new, in a variety of colours, on eBay now. They are listed as South African army assault vests.

[ThePyro3825]

I got into a bidding war on eBay over the vest; unfortunately I lost but I managed to get my hands on the Pattern 83 chest rig two weeks ago. Recent photos from Shared Accord 2011 show a lot of the Saffies still wearing it, so I'm not too worried about these vests going away anytime soon.