Original Item. One-of-a-Kind Set. This is an unusually complete Vietnam War era NVA / VC field-equipment grouping built around a pair of inert short-handle fragmentation grenades carried in their original two-cell canvas pouch. The grenade carrier remains mounted on a Vietnamese canvas equipment belt together with a small drawstring utility bag containing a well-used porcelain eating bowl and a large folded bundle of nylon material of presently unidentified purpose. The set has a convincing field-used appearance throughout, although there is no named soldier or capture documentation establishing that all of the components were originally carried together by one specific individual.

This ordnance is inert and has been fully deactivated following guidelines provided by the ATF. Not Available for Export.

The North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong employed a variety of two and four cell hand grenade pouches. Their pouches could hold either long or short-handled stick grenades. This set includes two short-handled stick grenades, with both handles intact although the heads are only attached via small nails. Both grenades retain their end cap, now held in place with tape. One measures 6 ¼” long while the other measures 6”. One has the letter Z carved into the shaft.

The carrier itself is made from canvas, and it is still in good condition with some signs of wear and use. The majority were made of a heavy, loosely woven canvas, but some were made of cotton poplin. Canvas or poplin shoulder straps were used. It is attached via the two belt loops on the back to this correct pattern VC canvas belt with diamond-shaped stitching. The belt has rope tied on one end and nylon tied on the other to keep it secure. The buckle system still works well, with nothing on the buckle, as is correct for this pattern.

The small canvas bag is quite weak, attached by one canvas belt loop, and contains a very well-used porcelain bowl with a blue border and green splotch decoration.
There is a faint stamped marking on the bottom, and an attached green retaining loop. This soldier certainly carried this around as his only way of eating. The bag retains the pull string to tighten it.

Lastly is the original bundle of nylon which is folded to create a belt loop for it to attach, and it is secured by a tied stripe of fabric. We are unsure if this is meant to be a raincoat, poncho, or what.

As a display grouping, the principal appeal lies in the combination of two inert short-handle fragmentation grenades, original two-cell carrier, Vietnamese canvas belt, field-expedient ties, personal bowl in its drawstring pouch, and unidentified nylon bundle. Together they provide a particularly evocative study group of the compact and improvised equipment associated with North Vietnamese and Viet Cong field service during the Vietnam War.

This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every display machine gun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).