North Vietnamese Army Viet Cong “Four Buckle” 1965 AK-47 Chest Pouch

This is a rare 1965 dated ChiCom Type 56 AK47 chestpouch with four buckles.

Four shoulder strap adjustment buckles were not common at all. Most factories used just two.

The ChiComs stopped making four buckle AK chestrigs as the weight of the rucksack would firmly and constantly press the rear two buckles directly into the shoulders, ribs or back of the NVA soldier. Think about walking South to RVN with a heavy rucksack. These buckles would cause pain, sores, blisters, perhaps infections and would eventually wear through the shirt & rucksack so they were eliminated.

Great Chinese markings on the back.

This one has transfer marks on the front consistent with four galvanized buckles having been tied in a bundle against this pouch.  These were often sent South in bails of 100 or more pouches.