NVA assault vest

[therifleman]

I was digging around in my grandfather's attic last week and came across some pretty interesting stuff like WW1 helmets, artillery shell casings, and a massive nazi flag from a u-boat. However, I came across this North vietnamese army assault vest from the Vietnam War.

I was just curious if this NVA assault vest has any value or long term value money wise...

He said an ex-special forces guy gave it to him years back when he brought it back from the war as a trophy. It has six different pouches including a grenade pouch designed to hold 4 grenades, held together on a belt that goes around the waist. There are also two shoulder straps. On the interior there is some Vietnamese writing along with the production date, 1963.

I was surfing around the web to see if i could find something which looks like it and it looks exactly like this:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/Winimperial/SFVCNAM68000.jpg


I know it's probally quite worthless, but I was just curious to see how much it was worth.

[CPLHUNTER]

Thats pretty cool stuff...i wonder what U Boat the flag came from.

[therifleman]

Got it from a guy who served in WW2 in France. Not exactly sure how he got it off the U-boat, possibly at one of the many u-boat docking stations in France at the time. I wish I brought my camera with me to take pics, the flag was at least 8-9 feet long.

[Vince S]

Got it from a guy who served in WW2 in France. Not exactly sure how he got it off the U-boat, possibly at one of the many u-boat docking stations in France at the time. I wish I brought my camera with me to take pics, the flag was at least 8-9 feet long.

that thing must worth pretty pennie and even more in historical value! Pics man :)

As for the vest, I don't recall seeing it in Vietnam books I own... Post war perhaps?

[Polygon]

I would say it's worth maybe $150-200 range? I've never seen a vest like this, and you do have a degree of provenance to accompany the item.

[Vince S]

Saw those for 30$ on Ebay quite a few time

[Polygon]

Well, the assault rigs for SKS/AK rifles are common, but this rig is a bit different.

[therifleman]

Yeah, honestly don't think it's worth that much. It's almost as in good condition as the one in the pic, but has some weird noticable stains on it from the jungle.

The only really authenticity that it has on it is the date labled 1963 on the back as well as some Vietnamese writing. I know for sure those are ChiCom NVA stick grenade holders.

[Vince S]

They can be pre Chicom chestrig? (7 pockets ones)

[Gunge]

im pretty sure its current (last ten years)
chicom
it has the stick grenade holder(4)
and unusual pouch arrangement
i may be wrong though

[Polygon]

Yeah, you're definitely correct about the arrangement- it's a Chicom configured rig basically.

If it's currently, the vest is probably worth around $30 I suppose. If NVA or VC, probably in the $50-$75 would be more realistic I guess.

Also, there probably isn't much of a collecting group for NVA items really.

[kutter]

Check out this thread. It pretty much will answer your questions about the vest.
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=120914

Basically the mag pouches hold ak/type 56 magazines and the long pouches are designed for potato masher grenades.

[jd123]

I have 5 boxes of that stuff, exactly the same. and I couldn't sell it for $15 a piece. so that's pretty much tell you

[GREENMILITIA]

hey rifle what you have there is a "CP63-B" chinese rig issued and designed by the PLA during the 60's and yes it was used and supplied to some of the VC guerillas but mostly issued to the NVA mainforce during 65-72 but only a handful few where seen and used in action coz most of the mainforce soldiers or even the VC's would prefer to use the "CP53" or the most common as we know it the "chest pouch".... the "CP63-B" is designed based on waist/suspender type, it could carry 12 clips of ak47-type56 (if squeeze through mostly used to carry single clips 6 or 4 infront left and right and 2 other back pouch are used to carry extra ammo's accessories) and 4 stick grenade, adjustable in waist size and shoulder lenght, mostly comes in color khaki/brown and chinese olive green (not OD).... hope this helps a bit my...:)

[gaijinsamurai]

Militaria from the Vietnam War has risen in price considerably over the past five or so years, as it has gotten more popular.