Rifle bucket

Things a soldier would carry other than firearms, ammo, or uniforms. Meaning equipment such as ammo pouches, bayonets, holsters, oil cans, cleaning equipment, etc.

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PeterN2
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Rifle bucket

Post by PeterN2 » Tue Dec 19, 2017 4:35 pm

I saw this at a local auction sale so I had a bid on it. There was one commission bid and I was the only bidder in the room. I got it for £47 (about $60 USD) after adding the buyers premium. I didn't think that was too bad a price. It is a SMLE rifle bucket for the cavalry. I presume it is from WW1 era. There are no makers marks anywhere that I can see. It is in good condition except for the centre strap that has been snapped off. It has broken and not been cut off. I think the long strap goes under the horse and is attached to the saddle on the left side. I have not seen one of these before and thought it was an interesting thing to have. I just need the horse and saddle now. A SMLE fits OK so I presume that is what is is made for.
A few pics.
Rifle bucket front.jpg
Rifle bucket back straps.jpg
Rifle bucket top.jpg
Rifle bucket top open.jpg
Rifle bucket strap.jpg
Rifle bucket bottom.jpg
Rifle bucket SMLE top open.jpg
Rifle bucket top with SMLE.jpg
Rifle bucket SMLE full.jpg
This is a link to the sale I got it from. It was lot 6.
http://www.thompsonsauctioneers.com/pas ... 00c5d0721a

Regards
Peter.
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Niner
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by Niner » Tue Dec 19, 2017 4:54 pm

Nice purchase. Bet you are the only one who visits this site that has one....or seen one outside of a museum.
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Aughnanure
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by Aughnanure » Tue Dec 19, 2017 7:21 pm

I've seen them outside of museums,
Army Disposal stores used to have them for sale at about 10/- each for really good/new ones and less for used, but this was about 70 years ago.

A lot of them were bought for the leather and were cut up, as were Light Horse leggings.
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DuncaninFrance
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by DuncaninFrance » Wed Dec 20, 2017 3:48 am

A nice acquisition Peter, as you say, all you need is the horse and saddle :lol: :lol:
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ArchFluffy
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by ArchFluffy » Thu Dec 21, 2017 8:49 pm

I love this kind of thing. So cool.

If you don't have a horse maybe you should put it on the side of a jeep. You know, Rat Patrol style.

:cool:

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joseyclosey
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by joseyclosey » Fri Dec 22, 2017 3:07 pm

A nice find Peter. I managed to rescue this postcard scan from my photobucket account after some difficulty.
Joe
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dhtaxi
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by dhtaxi » Mon Dec 25, 2017 7:08 pm

Thats neat Joe a nice find.
PeterN2
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Re: Rifle bucket

Post by PeterN2 » Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:28 pm

Thanks for the photo Joe. It looks to be a slightly different model to mine but I suppose there were different versions made. The centre strap in the photo is quite wide but the one on mine is 7/8th of an inch wide.
Regards
Peter.
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