Vietminh vest pictures

[woodard]

As promised, pictures of a Vietminh/PAVN vest I bought from E-bay a few years ago. The size is very small, I'm 5'3 120 lbs and I can barely button it up. I'm not sure of how long these vests were used in the north so I can't say 100% it's from the period.

[Legion Etrangere]

This vest almost looks like the inserts to the field jacket I was issued in the Army in the early 80's; a padded long sleeve insert that buttoned into your f/j. You could remove the sleeves, add similar buttons and have something close to it.

[lt13demi]

Hey Mick! It also looks like a sleeveless version of that padded jacket that was worn by the French in Algeria! I think there is a famous pic of Col. Jeanpierre wearing one somewhere in the Bled

Nice Pics. Thanks for posting Woodard!

Renault

[Legion Etrangere]

Hey Bob,

Thanks. Found the pic. BTW, Jeanpierre looks a LOT like Tom Townsend. I wonder if we could find those jackets and then cut them for Vietminh reenactors - or, find one and reproduce them cheaply.

[lt13demi]

If you can find any of those jackets they bring a real premium! I've seen one on e-bay and I think the SWAT shop had one too! They are not too easy to find! But I think your idea with the field jacket liners sounds like the best approach!

Renault

[sgtjeanvaljean]

BTW, Jeanpierre looks a LOT like Tom Townsend.

You should see him in a photo I have will try to post it soon.

Sgt. Valjean

[woodard]

Found one for sale on E-bay, size "small medium"

cgi.ebay.com/Vietnam-War-NVA-Vietcong-quilted-cold-weather-vest_W0QQitemZ190322901238QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c502100f6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A2|294%3A50

[lew]

Jul 18, 2009 10:31:37 GMT -5 @lt13demi said:

Hey Mick! It also looks like a sleeveless version of that padded jacket that was worn by the French in Algeria! I think there is a famous pic of Col. Jeanpierre wearing one somewhere in the Bled

Nice Pics. Thanks for posting Woodard!

Renault

That jacket is referred to as a "veste matelassé". I can't remember the model designation, Mle. 54 or 55. There were two variations: the first type with horizontal and vertical stitching, and the second type with diagonal quilting like the vest up top. The VM vest look like a cotton canvas material, while my French vest appears to have some synthetic fiber content, giving it a slicker feel. The French vest used snaps instead of buttons. They were very common in Algeria, but they are fairly rare these days, and cutting one up just seems dumb and misguided.