British WW.1 canvas 50.rds spare ammo bandolier.

[findabetterole]

Hello Chums,

I'm searching for the difference between the British WW.1 & WW.2 canvas 5-pocket (50-rds) spare ammo bandoliers. The WW.2 version was used well into the 1990's for 7.62 SLR ammo. This version had both white metal and thin brass wire clip closure fittings. It's mainly the closure fittings I'm interested in.

Did the WW.1 version have 'press studs', 'buttons', or the type of clips used in later WW.2 and post war versions?

Any pics or information regarding this would be very gratefully received.


Seph

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Seph, I did a thread about the humble bandoleer some months ago. It showed WW1 and WW2 examples. Try a search

Cheers, Ade.

[findabetterole]

Hello Ade,

I've tried several permutations for the search, but it only comes up with this thread.

Can you tell me your thread title please?

Seph

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Seph, you even replied to the the thread as well Here you go:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=191278

Cheers, Ade.

[findabetterole]

Thank you Ade....

It is amazing just how these items seemed to evaporate into near extinction.
Then again, considering that when we were on the firing range, it was quite normal for each man to dispose of the contents of at least 6 to 7 of them. Multiply that by about 150 individuals a time, and you see how many got burnt at the end of the day.

I would think it fair to assume that during both World Wars, these canvas bandoliers were treated in just the same way.. especially during cold spells.

For my WW.1 impression, I'm gathering enough of them together for the re-supply of an infantry section. The WW.1 examples are far to rare to play about with (on the odd occasions that they do appear for sale), but the WW.2 and post war, even 7.62.mm filled examples are quite plentiful and ripe for conversion. I'm paying an average price of $4.00 each (just under 2.GBP each). Most of my purchases so far.. about 80%... have included 10 spare .303 clips.

So, I think that now you can see the reason for my enquirey. The various stampings denoting the type of ammo contained in the bandolier will be my main priority for accuracy.

All I require now is to find an ammo box example or even plans and dimentions for one.... any chums out there got any leads on that road?

Seph

[nbroadarrowz]

Dear All,
The MkII 'Bandolier, cotton, 50 rounds' was introduced into the L.O.C. in Jan 1910 and is made of a khaki coloured denim fabric with 5 pockets divide by a double row of stitching.

The MkI and Mk I* bandoliers were made from drill fabric and have larger pockets divided by a single row of stitching and a slightly different type of fastner.

In my collection I have a Mk II bandolier with press studs (dated 10-16) and a Mk II bandolier with copper wire hooks (dated 5-18). Both banodliers are marked II (mark two).
The Mk III bandolier was introduced in September 1944 and was made from a khaki drill fabric.

The L.O.C dosn't mention the type of closure. Early WW1 bandoliers have either a press stud or button. Late WW1 types have the copper hooks

Reference New Zealand Army Personal Equipment 1910-1945 ISBN 0-9582535-9-5

Barry