This isn't the usual Nutria Brown P83 everyone knows from Blood Diamond. This is the green variant that shares the same lightweight nylon packcloth Johann Niemoller used when he was hand-sewing webbing in his bungalow for guys who needed to move 200 miles without resupply. It's got that same quiet, tough-as-nails feel that doesn't rustle when you're trying to be sneaky while you violate restraining orders.

The other big difference? Instead of the standard GP pouch, this version runs ALICE-style canteen pouches. Somebody along the way decided water security was more important than general storage, and honestly, we can't argue with that logic for desert warriors and NEETs alike. Dehydration is no joke, and neither is trying to jury-rig a water bottle into a pouch that wasn't designed for it.

History and Overview

The Pattern 83 webbing system was produced to fill a very specific need in the South African military. In the later years of the Border War, the SADF was hurting for a comfortable, lightweight, and simple-to-use load bearing system. As with much of the equipment of the time, private sector commercial outfitters helped the military design and produce an effective solution.

The resulting "battle jacket" (heavily influenced by Rhodesian Fireforce webbing) is still in use today by the South African Defense Force and has been featured as the go-to load bearing gear of various movie baddies (see Blood Diamond, District 9, and most recently Mad Max).

Why Green, Though?

Good question. While Nutria Brown became the iconic P83 colorway, green versions popped up for a few reasons:

Sterile Ops: Green was less obviously "South African military" than Nutria Brown. When you're running operations where you can't have anything trace back to the SADF, you run green. Ok, maybe this is slightly implausible deniability as it’s basically the same, but cooler.

Commercial Variants: When Johann Niemoller started Adder (later Adro) in the 80s, he made commercial versions of his gear in both green and nutria. Operators who wanted to buy their own kit or needed gear that wasn't on any official inventory could pick up green variants.

It Works Better Sometimes: In heavily vegetated areas, green blends better than brown. Sometimes it's that simple.

Both this jacket and Niemoller's webbing use lightweight nylon packcloth that became standard for SADF special operations gear in the 1980s. The properties are the same:

- Light enough for extended movement

- Tough enough to survive bush warfare

- Quiet enough to not give away your position

- Dries fast when you inevitably get soaked

The heavy wear-resistant coating on the inside of the pouches is the same deal you get on standard P83 gear. It keeps your pocket sand dry and the jacket from falling apart.

What's Inside The Box

Pouches

Five double magazine pouches compatible with R4 Vektor and STANAG pattern magazines. Partially compatible with Galil and AK 5.45 mags. Not compatible with AKM magazines (without hook-and-loop and sewing kit trickery, anyway). Each pouch holds two mags, so you've got capacity for ten total. (The South Africans subscribed to the "accuracy by volume" meta before it was cool).

Two ALICE-style canteen pouches on the sides. Designed for canteens with secure closure. You can use them as dump pouches in a pinch, but seriously, carry water. We're not being your mom (and certainly not your step-mom) here, it's just smart.

One large front pouch for extra mags or bulkier items like medical supplies or your Gamer Girl protein powder.

Two small side grenade pouches flanking the canteen pouches. Originally for grenades, but they work great for cleaning kits and miscellaneous small gear you don't want rattling around loose. Grenades are cooler though, and we wish we had some.

Large backpack pouch with roomy upper and lower compartments, plus straps to lash down a bedroll or other external kit.

Body

Padded breathable nylon mesh body that distributes weight across your shoulders, back, and hips. Unlike belt systems that dump everything on your waist, the P83 spreads the LOAD where your body can actually HANDLE it.

Adjustable webbing secured with buckles to fit pretty much anyone. The SADF had conscripts of all shapes and sizes, so the gear had to be adaptable.

Waterproof construction throughout. Same materials that made P83 legendary for not falling apart in the bush.

The Supply Situation

In October 2015, Pattern 83 was fully discontinued by the South African Defense Force. Since then, supplies of PAT 83 equipment have decreased exponentially due to heavy domestic and foreign demand (and a couple Mad Max movies).

For a long time, you could find battle jackets by the hundreds. Those days are gone. Now it's single quantities and used condition, even in South Africa.

This green variant is even rarer. Nutria Brown was standard issue; green was produced in much smaller numbers for commercial sale and specific operational needs.

How did we get these?

Don’t worry about it.

These jackets have been hand-inspected for damage and laundered to remove decades of storage dust. As close to new as you're going to get, especially 30+ years after the Border War ended.

Specs:

Waterproof, durable nylon with nylon mesh webbing
Green color (fabric similar to Niemoller webbing)
Padding along shoulders, back and hips
Adjustable webbing with buckle closures fits all sizes
ALICE-style canteen pouches (instead of standard GP pouches)

Note: Ebay and other sites have been overrun with counterfeit knock-offs of the PAT 83, but our jackets are the genuine articles — no reproductions here!

Condition Guide

Like-New+

The item has been used, but remains in like-new condition. Suitable for discerning collectors and reference use.

Excellent+

The item has barely any cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use.
The item may exhibit internal/external writing. This may include rank, serial numbers, etc.

Great+

The item has only minor cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use.
The item may exhibit noticeable internal/external writing. This may include rank, serial numbers, etc.
The item may have minor or major field repairs, or field modifications. This includes (but is not limited) to: removing the divider between the two pouches on the back of the rig, small additions such as hardware, or removal of mortar straps.

Good+

The item has clear cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use that have not compromised a significant majority of its functionality.
The item may exhibit clear internal/external writing. This may include rank, serial numbers, etc.
The item may have minor or major field repairs, or field modifications. This includes (but is not limited) to: removing the divider between the two pouches on the back of the rig, small additions such as hardware, or removal of mortar straps.

Serviceable+

The item has significant cosmetic blemishes, abrasions, or other signs of use that have not compromised a significant majority of its functionality.
The item may exhibit clear internal/external writing. This may include rank, serial numbers, etc.
The item may require minor repairs to either a seam, or to the fabric to restore 100% functionality

Note: A “+” following any of these conditions indicates the product has also been freshly laundered.

Instructions

Featured here we have the original SADF field manual containing adjustment, handling and maintenance information on all P83 equipment. This can be viewed here. Battle Jacket usage information can be found on pages A4-A4, A9, and A34-A46.

All Pattern 83 & Waxi Boots

SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig

SADF Pattern 83 Field Pack, "Grootsak"

SADF Bateleur 90 Para Webbing

SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket

Niemoller Green Pattern 83 Battle Jacket

Half Combat Waxi Boot, Tan

Half Combat Waxi Boot, Cognac Brown

Half Combat Waxi Boot, Dark Brown

Half Combat Waxi Boot, Black