So each time I add a token (armor with no slot and no weight and not playable) to an NPC with additem() while they are in combat their weapon and shield disappear then they reequip them. Anyone see this glitch before?

I seem to remember a similar thing in Oblivion but I do not remember it being so ....obvious?

Anyone else seen this?
Any way to get around this?

This happens also when they enter combat. They may be with their weapons in their hands, but when they enter combat they won't take advantage of this, they will draw their weapons again. They will draw their weapon no matter what. Could be worse, at least they didn't perform the sheath animation first.

well, I'm using a work around to get reanimated dudes to re-equip themselves that involves adding/removing a token weapon (armor worked too, but was causing issues with their weapon not rendering for some reason). Adding this piece of equipment makes the actor reevaluate their equipment choices and not run around naked.

So, perhaps the AI thinks you're handing it phat loot and feels the need to rifle around in its inventory for better stuff?

This svcks, well I was forced to make a misc item to do the job of my token and it CAN be seen in the players inventory. So I need it to be something logical.

I called it "loose threads". Funny thing was as I was looking for some item to use as a template I found that the DEV had to do a similar thing and I used it for my template.

It was called "sealed letter" and had no models assigned to it except for the inventory model which was a basket. I do not like how it looks for my LOOSE THREAD. Anyone know of a better model to use? I wonder what would happen if I did not assign any model to it for inventory?

Did you try usina a non playable potion or scroll? From the point of view of logic, it wouldn't make much sense to work, but from the point of view of development, anything in between equipment and misc items could have unintended features more appropriate for any of those two groups. With a bit of luck it may let you have a non visible item that didn't activate the inventory checking of NPCs.