DDR Nationale Volksarmee MPiK Chest Rig

[hardcorps1775]

everyone pretty much agrees this wasn't an issue item. many don't think it was an experimental item, either. i think maybe it might have been ginned up by an ambitious soldat, i dunno...it's very cool though...and that's the important thing! :p

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1394DDR_ChestRig1.JPG

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1394DDR_ChestRig2.JPG

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/1394DDR_ChestRig3.JPG

[sprat]

I am not a expert as few would be . but I spent time in east germany and west just before and after the wall came down. I have never seen this before, it reminds me of those made up vests that were for sale a while back.
the style appear similar to the chinese chest pouchs for sale years ago.
As soon as I saw the velcro, I thought fake, then I noticed the blue straps,
What is the code and number printed

if the tread on area's sewn on is similar to other mag pouches and backpacks then it could be for a speciality, like tank crew or someone who would be in a tight space

I would also venture it was made for export, except for the rain pattern, unless it was made post - wall for export to Turkey
as Turkey got a massive amount of BDU's and MPik's

Capt Jack

proud owner of a rebuilt semi-auto of a East German MPi AKSN

[hardcorps1775]

must...have...pics!!! tell me more, young jedi!!!

[sprat]

I used to go under the name jacksprat but my profile was having problems so I switched to sprat,
I am long time home builder of AK Variants on this site. At one time I even gave advice this has stopped!!!

There are two groups of east german collectors in America

1) group A consist of former military personnel that served in that zone, or worked for a three letter gov't agency or contractors for the gov't and former collectors of nazi era militaria, the last group got tired of all the fakes, including german scholars
these folks started the society of east german militaria collectors (soegmc) now defunct

2) group B consists of younger lads, uniform collectors and re-enactor types, (boy would I love to re-enact in my BDU's)I have over the years tried to fit in with them but its hard, they are all experts and they have made enemies with most of the older collectors and dealers from group A. (this includes me)
they have their own site and click and I wish them all the luck in their collecting

I am not that good at posting pic's, sent me a e-mail at captainjack692@aol.com and I forward a few pic's

sprat

[11Binf]

hey marine : i think the vest is a new made fantasy item..it appers to be made up from u.t.v parts and grey blanket roll straps.. mind you it looks good and i want one.. also whats with the chinese ak mags in the e.g. chest pouch!!! OH MY.:D ..vince g.11b inf.

[hardcorps1775]

hahaha 11b, you're the first guy to spot the chicom mags! they were on hand at the time and i was too lazy to go get ddr ones...

the vest is an incredibly well-made piece. the back and side straps are adjustable to a whole range of sizes and the back straps can slide back and forth...i'm not exactly sure why, i guess maybe to compensate for movement or different back widths? the sewing is top notch, box stitch and reinforced.

anyway, the only real drawback is to get the vest on/off. you have to pull the whole thing over your head like a sweater, that's a little inconvenient!

so, how do you like the site? it's pretty raucous over in the general discussion area but there is a wealth of knowledge here that is phenomenal! this forum was just started, but i think it's gonna do well, i already see traffic picking up!

[bovver]

ahhhhh yes,
this is a real rig...it was used in 1989 by the east german army during the invasion of neverland.
it was believed the soldat would need to adapt to the gorilla tatics used by the lost boys and the standard belt pouch would get in the way....please take special note to the steam line construction and use of velcro...also for the use of max ammo fire power to take on an outside help the lost boys would have...ie.. the indians.
hope this helps:D

[sprat]

not only would chinese mags look out of place so would 7.62 mags, if such a vest existed the design would have been for 5.45

I see elements of group B, guess it makes the world go round

sprat

[bovver]

twas a joke....get over it

[hardcorps1775]

Originally posted by sprat
not only would chinese mags look out of place so would 7.62 mags, if such a vest existed the design would have been for 5.45

I see elements of group B, guess it makes the world go round

sprat

good point! hadn't thought about the mag type.

like i said, it's a piece with more form than function :D. i don't know if it would hold up very well in the field. ak mags are heavy and the material used is plain old uniform cloth, not even zeltbahn material!

[Stickman]

sprat,

You seem rather worked up over people learning about new things. You may be an expert (or may not), but there are plenty of people who are learning and expanding thier knowledge base. What is with the attitude?