findabetterole Posted 13 November , 2009 Share Posted 13 November , 2009 Hello All, I would like to call upon the forums help if I may. Does anyone know of the existance of a reproduction example of the British WW1 '10' pocket grenade vest, or know anyone who would be able to supply copies of scale drawing of same? I have a bundle of numerous WW1 '11' pocket American examples that I would like to convert for my WW1 reenactment unit : The 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (GWHS - Southern California). Copies of any period photographs of the British item in theater would be most gratefully received. My thanks in advance, Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_H Posted 13 November , 2009 Share Posted 13 November , 2009 Seph Attached is a contemporary photo of the 10 pocket carrier laid out with a 1" scale below. PM me if you want a larger file of this as it loses something reduced to below 100kb. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 5 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 5 December , 2009 Mike.. sorry for the late reply. That illustration is just the sort of example I was after. Do you have any of the rear of the vest? Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_H Posted 7 December , 2009 Share Posted 7 December , 2009 Seph I am afraid that I don't have a photo of the reverse of the vest, but as I remember from examining the IWM's only example years ago the pockets are machine stitched onto a rectangle of the cotton cloth and the triangular pieces to which the tapes are attached are separate pieces machined on. The tapes are machined out of the same material. The adjustable halter is the of same 2" woven tape as the SBR haversack sling and the sliding buckle is the same as on the SBR haversack. Hope this helps Yours Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 7 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 7 December , 2009 Mike.. Thank You! I have a very good idea now of the work required. I need to find an extremely good excuse to give the missus so I can comandere her sawing machine! A test project will be attempted over this Christmas/New Years period. This thread will be picked up, and I'll post the results! Thanks once again Mike... much appreciated. Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 9 December , 2009 Share Posted 9 December , 2009 Should be the British version, on display at the Imperial War Museum. Cheers, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 10 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Paul.. if thats the item that Mike mentioned.. I'm honoured.. Thank You! Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_H Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Seph That's the one - not well displayed as the tapes & halter are tucked behind. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 I wonder if it was made by MW&S, the press studs being smooth like those used on some of their pre 1917 entrenching tool holders. When did these items come into use? Regards, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_H Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Paul I don't recall a manufacturer's name on the carrier and have not found a reference in "List of Changes", however the carrier is shown in the handbook CDS 74 "The Training and Employment of Grenadiers" which was issued by GHQs in October 1915. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Thanks for that Mike. Regards, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 10 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2009 however the carrier is shown in the handbook CDS 74 "The Training and Employment of Grenadiers" which was issued by GHQs in October 1915. Mike Mike, Do you have a copy of the publication you mention, and if so, could you post the relevant pic? I have a copy of: The Training and employment of Bombers [september 1916] : S.S.126 - 40/WO/3352 - O.B.367; but it shows no items of what we are discussing. Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tocemma Posted 11 December , 2009 Share Posted 11 December , 2009 Hello all, I have an original 10 pocket bombers vest. I will post some photos in the next few days. I am away from home at the moment so cannot access the vest to check, but I think it has a makers cartouche stamped on one of the body straps. From memory it is a German sounding name like Schneider and Co London 1915 but is very indistinct. I have come across this company on other cotton drill accessories. I have a private purchase Officers bag for a tube helmet with Sam Browne hooks on the back made by the same company (I'm pretty sure I've got the name rightbut its been a while since I looked at it) I will see if I can get a photo of the stamp. On my example the neck strap is of the same drill as the body of the vest. I have had two of these rare vests over the years but the other example had the body tie straps removed. As I recall the only marking on that was an ink diamond stamped on the back. As to the press studs, these are smaller than the 'smooth' type used on webbing, but similar to the ones used on early cotton bandoliers. I would read no particular significance into the studs. They are standard comercially available press studs of the period and no conclusions can be drawn as to makers. I doubt the major equipment manufacturers had either the capacity or the time to manufacture such items. The bandoliers were made by many different cotton goods firms, no doubt the same applied to the bombers vests. Photos to follow in about a week. Tocemma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_H Posted 11 December , 2009 Share Posted 11 December , 2009 Seph Attached are scans of the 2 pics that appear in the handbook, the originals weren't brilliant and my photcopies are worse!!! The only mention of the carriers in the handbook states that they were "packed in boxes containing grenades Nos. 6 & 7" so they were used with those RL friction pattern grenades as well as the No.5. Looks as is Tocemma's offer should get you some good reference for your copy. Yours Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 11 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 11 December , 2009 I really apreciate the time and effort you chaps are putting into this. It bears out what I've always maintained... "Ïf one is going to do, do it right!" Mike, those two pics are great, and really bring the item out into the real world..... not just a museum artifact. I'll have a play with them and se what I can do in reference cleaning them up.. bringing out a few details. Tacoma... I look forward to seeing the photographs of your example, as I'm certain everyone here is! Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
histyjunky Posted 27 April , 2015 Share Posted 27 April , 2015 Anymore info come up? Perhaps this one can spark interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancashire Fusilier Posted 27 April , 2015 Share Posted 27 April , 2015 Anymore info come up? Perhaps this one can spark interest Here is a 10 Pocket Grenade Carrier Mk. I. Regards, LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
histyjunky Posted 28 April , 2015 Share Posted 28 April , 2015 Great photo LF, Can anyone identify my photo post or enhance the photos for better detail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovetown Posted 28 April , 2015 Share Posted 28 April , 2015 Great photo LFThe IWM has many faults but it does, on occasion, take a decent picture. Cheers, GT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancashire Fusilier Posted 28 April , 2015 Share Posted 28 April , 2015 Great photo LF, Can anyone identify my photo post or enhance the photos for better detail? Here is another of the 10 pocket Grenade Carrier in use. Regards, LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancashire Fusilier Posted 28 April , 2015 Share Posted 28 April , 2015 Great photo LF, Can anyone identify my photo post or enhance the photos for better detail? A bit larger. Regards. LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancashire Fusilier Posted 28 April , 2015 Share Posted 28 April , 2015 For anyone interested in the WW1 Mills Bomb/Grenade and some other grenades, here is a link to a GWF Thread with 26 pages of grenade information and lots of photographs :- http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=188323 LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now