Issued SANDF Nutria Pattern 83 Chest Rig

Genuine SANDF Pattern 83 Chest Rig – Nutria Brown

Issued to the South African National Defence Force during the Border War, the M83 Pattern Chest Rig is a lightweight, battle-proven design that remains one of the most practical rigs ever made. Born from the harsh demands of African counterinsurgency warfare, it replaced the old Pattern 70 webbing with something far more comfortable, modular, and durable.

Designed in collaboration with the South African outdoor industry, the Pattern 83 system became legendary for its simplicity and reliability. It’s so good that it’s still seen in use today—long after its official 2015 retirement—and even found its way into the hands of foreign forces like the SAS in the Gulf and Australian troops in Afghanistan.

This rig also has serious pop culture cred, showing up in Blood Diamond (2006), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), and even the Metal Gear Solid series.

Key Features:

• ✅ Six-cell magazine pouch – Three double-mag pouches for AR, R4/FN FAL or similar mags
• ✅ Flanking admin pouches – Left side has a compass + frag grenade pouch, right side has a large smoke grenade pouch
• ✅ Rear map/admin pocket – Stash documents or essentials behind the rig
• ✅ Highly adjustable X-harness – Fits a wide range of body types
• ✅ Quick-release waist strap – Ditch it fast if you need to
• ✅ Nutria Brown Cordura nylon – Rugged, water-resistant, and builds natural camouflage over time
• ✅ Cross straps available in Nutria Brown or Olive Green

This design was heavily influenced by the Chinese Type 56 rig used by Soviet-aligned forces in Angola and Namibia—the same enemies SADF troops were fighting. It keeps the low-profile, easy-access design while adding smarter pouch layouts for modern field use.

Whether you’re a collector, reenactor, or just want a reliable piece of kit for the range, this rig is ready for action.

Condition: Surplus, so expect wear and slight variations in design. Fully functional and field-ready.