Vz 97 woodland parka

Nice piece with many pockets, just like the Czech stuff.

Just a bit of trivia.

This parka and all similar Czechoslovak, Czech and Slovak parkas from vz. 60 on are called congo jackets. The rumour is that the mlok camouflage reminded somebody some of African camouflage (not necessarily Republic of Congo) so the mloks were for some period of time called congos. Later when the mlok uniforms were not issued anymore just surplus mlok parkas were worn with needles trousers and jackets. Order to do so was "wear your needles with your congos." However the next generation of conscripts didn´t know that congo referred to mlok camo. They thought that congo jacket meant parka. And voila parkas are known as congo jackets in Slovak and Czech army.

Recently bought one of these Parkas,very nice and even nicer in that it has a Dutch Goretex inner liner nicely sewn in to the Parka. Would this have been an in service mod or just a civvy/surplus shop addition?

Many Thanks

I have never seen or heard about modification like this which of course doesn´t meant that it might not be field modification. But I guess it is far from common one.

I would say it is 50:50 chance it was either modification done by resourceful soldier or surplus shop.

Will try and post some pics up when I can,very well done,all neatly machine sewn etc so no idea.Was going to wear it as a winter waterproof jacket but the hood is unlined so wouldnt I doubt be that waterproof(not an issue for soldiers I guess while wearing a helmet)

Got also one Parka. Really good condition and well made

A local surplusshop here in Holland has parka's that have a different pocket configuration, does anyone know what the significance of that is? Is it a later type, or maybe for a certain branch?