Chinese Type-56 Chest Bandolier

Type-56 Chest Rig

This is the Chinese Army chest bandolier made for the Type-56 rifle, China's version of the AK-47. It rides high on the chest so magazines sit where your hands fall naturally, not on a belt that a pack or vehicle seat can block. Three tall center pouches take rifle magazines and four smaller side pouches carry accessories. It suits collectors of Cold War Chinese kit, reenactors, and AK shooters who want a light, simple way to carry reloads.

Features

• Three Magazine Pouches — The tall center pouches are cut for the Type-56's curved 7.62x39mm magazines and other AK-pattern magazines of the same shape.
• Four Utility Pouches — Two smaller pouches on each side hold items such as stripper clips, a cleaning kit or an oil bottle.
• Toggle-And-Loop Closures — Each flap fastens with a bullet-shaped toggle pushed through a webbing loop, which is quiet and easy to work with gloves on.
• Bound Flap Edges — Darker green tape binds the edge of every flap, and the center flaps carry vertical stitching for stiffness.
• OD Green Cotton Canvas — The body is made from olive drab canvas, a plain military green that blends with field clothing.
• Crossed Shoulder Straps — Wide cotton webbing straps cross over the back in an X, spreading the weight across both shoulders.
• Adjustable Strap Length — The straps feed through metal rings at each end of the rig, so you can raise or lower it on your chest.
• Genuine Chinese Army Issue — This is original government-issue equipment from the Chinese Army, not a commercial copy.

Original Chinese Issue

The Type-56 chest bandolier was issued to Chinese soldiers alongside the Type-56 rifle, and its layout became one of the best-known load-carrying designs of the Cold War. It is all canvas and cotton webbing with simple toggle hardware, so there are no snaps or buckles to break. Because it is genuine issue, it is the correct piece for a period Chinese impression or an AK collection.