An original South African Pattern 83 (P83) Battle Jacket, officially introduced by the South African Defence Force (SADF) in the early 1980s. Constructed from heavy-duty brown canvas with olive drab nylon webbing and plastic hardware, this integrated load-bearing vest replaced the earlier Pattern 70 webbing system.The Pattern 83 was designed for mobility and efficiency in the bush environment of the South West African Border War, providing the operator with all-around load distribution. It features six fixed magazine pouches (each capable of holding two R4/R5 magazines), two large grenade or utility pouches, and rear hydration and ration pouches. The system was used extensively by infantry, paratroopers, recce units, and Koevoet operators.Its ergonomic “assault vest” design, with padded shoulder supports and rear adjustment straps, made it one of the most advanced webbing systems of its era, influencing later NATO tactical vests.