I recently acquired a first model, S (1975) dated, FJ Kampfweste which has been modified in a few ways. I would like to ask knowledgeable members for their assessment of this piece.
Let me first say that I bought this knowing full well that it had been modified for button closure; second, that I paid very little for it. No matter what, it’s a very displayable vest which I will keep until an unmodified example comes my way.
So, when it arrived and I started comparing it with the 2 similar vests I could find pictured here and member Pauly’s vest on the NVAParatrooper FB page, I began to realize my vest had another major alteration made to it: the large pocket applied on the back, below the shoulders, has been removed. Its flap system is still there, so at first I didn’t notice its absence. But looking at Pauly’s vest from the side I see that the back pocket on a 1st model vest is VERY different from a late model vest: it actually extends over the belt tunnel and is then stitched down below that. Below the waistband, the large cargo pocket for the gasmask filter has been replaced with a flat patch pocket. The two small cargo pockets on the right side that hold first aid packets have been replaced with one medium-size patch pocket with a tab closure. Let me tell you, the workmanship and the materials used in these mods is absolutely Quartermaster quality. The Strichtarn material of the pocket replacements is exactly the same as the rest of the vest. It also shows the same (minimal) level of use. The buttons used are NVA issue of the era. The buttonhole stitching is professional grade. I have to ask: could these be suggested modifications made during the trial issue period? It really doesn’t strike me as being a post-1990 sportsman’s alteration for a fishing vest. What are your thoughts???
I would like to add a couple of Pauly’s photos for side-by-side comparison. His © watermark is prominent so I hope it’s okay.
Basic view of my vest from front & back:
Rear view of Pauly’s vest for comparison:
Side view of Pauly’s vest showing large back/shoulder pocket extending over belt tunnel:
Buttonhole modification of front closure:
Where the attaching loops for the snap hooks were removed:
Flap of the back/shoulder pocket. No snap hooks were ever attached or removed from here
I’ve turned the vest inside out to show the collar bone padding, markings and finger loops at the top of the shoulders:
Markings close up:
The replaced rear pockets (non-cargo type):
Filter pocket, simple buttonhole closure:
First aid pocket, tab closure:
Soldier’s name inside gas mask bag and ammo pouch flaps:
Let me first say that I bought this knowing full well that it had been modified for button closure; second, that I paid very little for it. No matter what, it’s a very displayable vest which I will keep until an unmodified example comes my way.
So, when it arrived and I started comparing it with the 2 similar vests I could find pictured here and member Pauly’s vest on the NVAParatrooper FB page, I began to realize my vest had another major alteration made to it: the large pocket applied on the back, below the shoulders, has been removed. Its flap system is still there, so at first I didn’t notice its absence. But looking at Pauly’s vest from the side I see that the back pocket on a 1st model vest is VERY different from a late model vest: it actually extends over the belt tunnel and is then stitched down below that. Below the waistband, the large cargo pocket for the gasmask filter has been replaced with a flat patch pocket. The two small cargo pockets on the right side that hold first aid packets have been replaced with one medium-size patch pocket with a tab closure. Let me tell you, the workmanship and the materials used in these mods is absolutely Quartermaster quality. The Strichtarn material of the pocket replacements is exactly the same as the rest of the vest. It also shows the same (minimal) level of use. The buttons used are NVA issue of the era. The buttonhole stitching is professional grade. I have to ask: could these be suggested modifications made during the trial issue period? It really doesn’t strike me as being a post-1990 sportsman’s alteration for a fishing vest. What are your thoughts???
I would like to add a couple of Pauly’s photos for side-by-side comparison. His © watermark is prominent so I hope it’s okay.
Basic view of my vest from front & back:
Rear view of Pauly’s vest for comparison:
Side view of Pauly’s vest showing large back/shoulder pocket extending over belt tunnel:
Buttonhole modification of front closure:
Where the attaching loops for the snap hooks were removed:
Flap of the back/shoulder pocket. No snap hooks were ever attached or removed from here
I’ve turned the vest inside out to show the collar bone padding, markings and finger loops at the top of the shoulders:
Markings close up:
The replaced rear pockets (non-cargo type):
Filter pocket, simple buttonhole closure:
First aid pocket, tab closure:
Soldier’s name inside gas mask bag and ammo pouch flaps:
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