What was used to store 40mm grenades in Vietnam when the m203 became available?

The ammunition was issued in a cloth bandolier similar to an M1 Garand bandolier.  There were plastic egg carton style holders in the bandoliers to cradle the projectiles.  I have seen these bandoliers in brown & OD.  They are not expensive at all.

First model grenade vest, the three round plastic cups from the cloth bandoleer were placed in the pockets. These came out around 1966.



plastic bandoleer, these were used for CS and chemical grenade rounds







second model grenade vest, these had plastic snap buttons like the M1967 webbing, pockets held a single grenade, late 1960's issue...somewhere around 1968 if memory serves me correct







Cloth bandoleers and plastic egg crate cups

SEAL's had their own shit for the most part...



grenadiers flotation coat



grenadiers coat modified by Mammasan



First model grenade vest



Some strange looking contrivance

I imagine the first vests were made at a tailor shop in the nearest ville.

The Australian Special Air Service would often cut a row of pockets from a second model grenade vest and attach them to their webbing.





Sometimes they used the vests as issued, the 40mm launchers were a hell of a force multiplier for the small teams

http://www.charleyssurplus.com/Grenade_Vest?keyword=vest

(Third Model?) These are essentially second model vests, only these will have brass snap buttons, the plastic were prone to breaking. Mine was dated 1973. Seems like the four upper pockets are slightly longer on these also. I don't remember.


ETA: Just checked, yes the upper pockets are longer label says "for pyrotechnic rounds". (flares)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Repro-Vietnam-Early-M79-Grenade-Vest-ARVN-MIKE-FORCE-SEALS-/121888155715?hash=item1c6119a843:g:KukAAOSwL7VWjpnY

This shop out of Hong Kong offers a repro first model from their e-pay store at times, marketed towards reenactors and the airsofters. Quite expen$ive but not nearly as much as an original...unless the person selling doesn't know what it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANYvA0pHbl8

49 seconds into video