Artesh Webbing: DIYing Iranian 2nd Line Gear

By Marc Kyle Percival-Degage

Iranian uniforms are incredibly difficult to come by mainly due to sanctions, and their gear is even more difficult to obtain. So much so that typically the only existing Iranian gear are Iran-Iraq war era bringbacks from US servicemen that command high prices, or from couriers going to and from Iran. This means options for tactical webbing are scarce for anyone with uniforms.

There’s a multitude of different chest rigs, load bearing vests, armor vests, that are in Iranian military service, so this is not a complete list but rather a deliberate selection of tactical gear that can be easily made with little modification and has a distinct appearance conducive for Iranian loadouts.

The advantage of Iranian kit is that close copies can be made with a bit of improvising.

Iranian Chicom Chest Rig

Materials needed:

-Tan/brown 3-cell AK chest rig

-As close to tan color wise

-Snap closure kit, mallet

-Thread cutter or surgical knife

Total cost: $16-20

Iranian Chicoms worn peculiarly over the MOLLE vests. This was likely dome for Unit SOP reasons. (usokwi)

While it’s true that Iranians will use regular Chicom chest rigs with toggle closures for AKs, these are far rarer than one would expect as most Chicoms in service are domestically made in Iran. Iranian chest rigs come in the tan color and their pouches are closed with black snap closures.

This will be the most DIY intensive of all of the three vests, but is still fairly easy. Start by carefully cutting the thread off the toggles and loops of the pouches. Then, grab the threads from the inside. You should be able to pull those threads and it will appear ladder like. If the ladder threads won’t come free, find the point where it is anchored up front and cut that top thread with the thread cutter, and the entire row of threads can be pulled free.

Now make small cuts and add your snap closures on using the kit and a hammer.

Cut the toggles off and add snap closures, and it’s set. (17 March 2021)

Quick tip: If your snap buttons are not black, sandpaper them and then spraypaint black. The sandpapering will make the paint stick and eliminate premature wear.

This can be done before or after the modifications, but sun bleaching or dyeing the rig to be a light tan is recommended.