Old Generation SSO Smersh

[dex]

This thread dedicated in term of the load bearing harness design similarity not on the fabric material or the coloration differences


To summarize the info basically old generation smersh has 3+ versions


Type 1, produced in 1999-2000

in action picture (it has type 2 ammunition bag (butt pack) design

Type 2, produced between 2000-autumn 2001, The double pockets added on the ammunition bag for CPR / RTO or DBR (signal flares or smoke grenades) and added two pockets on each side of them to carry grenades

note :
base on the previous owner info, he's pretty sure that he bought these vest in 1999

in action picture

Type 3, produced between autumn 2001-summer 2002. Had similar shoulder strap as type 2 but with additional 10 mm foam padding, fix chest strap (previously removable) with fastex buckle instead of steel hook plus the rings to attach flashlight was added. These set include two pouches for 5 VOG-grenades.
The magazine pouches was remodeled, two grenade pouches had sewn to each of magazine pouch side, magazine pouch was made taller to be able to take 45 round magazine, closure with velcro and big button plus loop (canadian style) and the front inner magazine pouch was padded with 2 mm rigid foam to keep the shape of magazine pouch. These changes was made for 45th VDV 

in action picture

unknown

In the summer 2002, magazine pouch closure had changed, instead of a loop with single button, two buttons was added, top button for 45 rounds magazine while bottom button for 30 rounds magazine. The rigid foam padding had changed to plastic material so it could increasing pouch carry capacity to fit 3 magazines on each pouches

in action pictures

source : http://www.sso-mil.ru/forum/forum7/topic399/

[dex]

Some interesting discussion on certain forums in the neighboring countries regarding the existence of sbruya series

many people questioning on how to differentiate between smersh vests VS sbruya vests ?
which is quite easy to identify imo
Sbruya vest series has grenade pockets on each sides of the buttpack while smersh vest series except  smersh type 1, 2 & early type 3 (which using amunition bag instead of smersh butt pack)  has no side grenade pouches at all on the butt pack