Anybody ID This Pouch?

charlie1944 · Post by **charlie1944** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:42 am

This pouch was in a pile of US GI pouches, and the owner of the store didn't have a clue as to what kind of pouch it is.

It's canvas webbing, about 6 1/2" X 3 1/2" X 2 1/2", drainage hole on bottom, belt loop, and, brass belt hooks on back, brass loop enclosure w/canvas tab to secure it. No markings that I can find anywhere.

charlie1944

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/ ... ch-web.jpg[/pic]

Karl/Pa. · Post by **Karl/Pa.** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:57 am

My guess is an ammo pouch for a Thompson.

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Mon May 05, 2008 1:05 pm

Its definetly a Commonwealth pattern, looks like the 37 pattern although the hooks are higher than normal, it isnt 44 pattern as that was produced in OD and generally had two sets of hooks so the user could choose the height of the pouch. They werent expressly rifle ammo pouches but for the Bren LMG magazines. Looking again the puoch buckle is 44 pattern but the hooks are 37 pattern. 37 Pattern had a popper stud on the set I was issued!

Rifle ammo was carried in bandoliers in chargers with every rifleman in an infantry section having to carry grenades and bren magazines in their ammo pouches..

They are not rare and many commonwealth armies made their own with slight variations.

I'd like to reappraise that with the loop in view, it could be a commonwealth pattern but it isnt standard British 37 Pattern with that loop on the Back!

charlie1944 · Post by **charlie1944** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:19 pm

That was my first guess, Commonwealth. I wish it had at least some kind f markings on it. I'm going to email a pic of it to a friend of mine who was a police officer in S. Africa to see if he ever saw one. He has lots of friends who were in the military there.

Anybody think it could possibly be Aussie?

charlie1944

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:37 pm

It's certainly a Commonwealth item, as others have pointed out and the belt hooks are of the right pattern for '37 web.

Although the pouch fastening is similar to the '44 & '58 equipment, I have seen similar on post War '3'7 pattern basic pouches.

Given the size of the pouch, indicated by the pencil, could it be an ammunition pouch for the Browning pistol? I believe that there were '37 pattern web holsters and pouches for this weapon.

Just a guess.

Tom

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:20 am

The replies I'm getting are that its possibly a drivers utility pouch from a pattern of 37 before Mk3. Oh and almost definetly Commonwealth although we are waiting on a certain webbing buff to reply!

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:56 am

"...its possibly a drivers utility pouch..."

The '37 pattern "drivers' pouch"*, (or at least, the only ones I have ever encountered), have been of the form of two 10 (rifle) round pouches, side by side (made as a single unit) and fitted with a brace attachment between them.

Given the size of the piece, I would still suggest a pistol magazine pouch.

Regards.

Tom

* Ammunition pouches for non-infantry use.

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:59 am

The pistol ammo pouches I have seen were small almost the size of a 44 pattern compass pouch, I havent seen a 44 pattern pistol magazine pouch for the Browning!

charlie1944 · Post by **charlie1944** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:24 am

I asked my friend who was a policeman in S. Africa and he sent me an email. Below I will quote the part of his email concerning the pouch.

"Regarding the webbing. Sure, its a British/Commonwealth magazines (10 round?) pouch for the standard Lee-Enfield .303 service rifles used in WW1 & 2 and still manufactured up to about 1955. The brass hooks are for the standard web belt which had machine stitched adjustment slots around the whole inner face for its own brass hooks after threading through the brass keeps and buckle - I should know as I wore them for years from '63 with my riot gear initially and then in the bush before we were issued with FNs for personal rifles (all Rhodesian policemen were issued with their own WW1 Mark 2 or 3 Lee-Enfield - but being a non armed force could only access them for annual training or emergencies).

I just went online and found this visual for you Charlie http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uni ... books2.htm

My best to you both as always and please stay in touch

Peter"

I tried clicking on the above link, but I couldn't access the page at this time. I'll try later. This helps me, I hope some of you will will be able to use this information. Thanks for your replies,

charlie1944

24626151 · Post by **24626151** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:34 am

It is similar to the Rhodesian army ammo pouches, I have a book on the RLI and I'll see what comes up.

I have checked "The Saints" and despite some great pics none are very good on webbing, the only pouch that comes close doesnt if you see what I mean:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/ ... /RLI01.jpg[/pic][/pic]