SADF Pattern-83 Battlejacket - KommandoReview

We delve into a forgotten, classic piece of kit.

Saucy beats provided by:

[deepscratchstudios]

The "dump" pouches where designed for the 2 litre sadf water pouches, the top rear pouch is for the A72/A73 field radio, the lower pouch is for the 2 dixie cooking dishes.
Total R4 rifle magazine capacity of 8.
Apart from that the description is correct.
I was a conscript SADF 1988-1990

Almost forgot, there are 3 other "hidden pockets:
2 are regular documents ( between the brown outer and black inner.
The 3rd is for sensitive documents and is on the right hand, it is between the documents pocket and the brown outer
I don't think l can add a picture in a post, if there is a way, l will post a picture.

[Loneranger]

I was a South African paratrooper in the 80’s and we were one of the first units to be issued with these jackets. They were a game changer for us and allowed us to carry ammo, water, food and radios on our person. What is not being shown here is the matching chest rig that was worn under the jacket which allowed for 6 magazines and hand grenades. In total, a typical load out would be 10 30 round mags and 4 hand grenades, 2 white phosphor and 2 smoke, 2 x 60mm mortar rounds and a belt of 100 7.62mm for the machine gunner.

[KillrGrzzly]

These have become hideously expensive and difficult to find because of Mad Max cosplayers buying them up and CUTTING THEM. D:

[MayumiC-chan]

my husband served in the SANDF from 2005 to 2015 and he brought home 2 of these vests one in classic nutria and another in camouflage matching his field uniform.

[erictortosa]

Hello Kommando

I am an airsoft player from Panama and a happy owner of two SADF pattern 83 vests. The first one I got was a Chinese copy... but my obsessiveness drove me to acquire the “real thing” as I am a big fan of the 83 vest as seen on (you said it again), District 9 and other movies. Also, was a big fan of SADF history.

As pertains the issue of where to carry your hydration in the M83. The top back pouch is a little small for a 2 litter camelback bladder.

On the Chinese copy, the back pouch is one long pouch and I used a wire hanger to fashion some tabs on which to hang my 2.5 camelback reservoir bladder.

Again, on the 83, the top pouch is a little too small to carry a medium sized camelback resevoir bladder so I am considering cutting the division between the two back compartments and using the same modification of using a wire hanger to fashion some tabs so I can hang a bigger camelback, say 2.5 or 3 litter... but I was concerned, just as you were to “spoil the original” with aftermarket mods.

One big plus that I have also come to appreciate on this rig is that it allows you to go prone without jamming all your mags and kit into your gut as the vest lies mostly at your sides, under your arms. All the pockets are fully covered so you are unlikely to be loosing stuff on the field or getting your mags dirty or wet on moderate rains.

Overall, I have to say that this is my most useful, cost effective, practica and functional chest rig vest that I have tried so far, especially for the longer type events.

[derekesterhuizen]

great video...The two "dump" pouches on the back are made for soft sided 2 litre water pouches. The webbing straps on the back are made for RPG heads, LMG barrels or flares

[IronLizard]

Fantastic vid! Your voice narration gives me a very "how it's made" vibe. Keep it up.

[kerj]

Hi there. South African here who owns a Pat 83 battle jacket and FAL mag. While the G3 mags don't fit, the smooth metal FAL mags do fit, though very tightly. The polymer ones with any bulging will not fit, just like the G3 mags.

[thomasclavinjr.]

Fantastic overview, I’ve had this in woodland since I was an airsoft kid. I never knew the history. I’m guessing mine is chinese knockoff but now I know the design I can utilize it properly. I’ve been using it for turkey hunting and fit a camelpak without modifying. I have an AR now and would load up with mags but I’d rather sell it to someone who wants it and buy a plate carrier.

[BarneyBadenhorst]

If anyone is interested, I am from South Africa and we have warehouses full of these original battle jackets. Just let me know, will cost about 50 USD excl shipping.

[marjannovoselc]

And you can also buy SADF 2l canteens.

[danielmarsden]

An oddly specific and obscure item to find a full review of, but it’s exactly what I was looking for before I spend £100 quid on one.

[fiskersproductions]

The double AK retention problem can be fixed extremely easily, just get a little Velcro extension

[cron]

The real thing is quite expensive, has anyone bought a cheaper reproduction and did you find it held up well and had all the features of the original? Thanks guys

[sqiketon]

the p83 was not meant for 7.62 anyone who were caring fal in the SADF were still issued the p70 webbing as it was designed for the fal

[deonjohannconradie]

The big side pouches is for a 2 L waterbotyles and fit perfectly.

[rw]

The dump pouches are for 2lt water bottles and small frag pouch is for a pencil flare

[jjafraser]

the jacket used a square 2 liter water bottle

[sofficial]

Hey, I just wanted to know what the name of the Animeistrash song that you featured. He deleted all his music at the end of 2016, so I'm trying to upload as much of it as I can onto youtube.

[declanthiele]

I would love one of these, but they are gone. Time to make my own, hopefully it might suit my own needs more than the real deal. An impossible notion I know, but we shall see