Florent Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 Hello All, I have a 19th Division RFA sergent tunic and I wonder what are the combinations of weapons that could be worn by a such sergeant in 1918. Webley Mk VI only, Revolver with rifle, only rifle ? Surely depending if mounted or not ? I own a Mark VI but I wonder if I can add a leather bandoleer on chest for the SMLE ammo. Thanks for your help. Florent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 The normal expectation for a Sergeant based on the uniform would be a revolver in an open top holster with a NCO type cartridge pouch. Circumstances could mean that he might equip himself with a rifle. Hopefully someone will come along & post a photo for you. khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 maybe me khaki Another view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinrowlinson Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 Could any body post a photo of any artilleryman having any weapons on him. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 Could any body post a photo of any artilleryman having any weapons on him. Kevin Any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 Nice photo ! What is he wearing between knee & ankle (seems to have regular boots to me) but are they for riding ? Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 15 December , 2015 Share Posted 15 December , 2015 Yes he is wearing leather gaiters, as often worn by mounted troops. There were several patterns some with external straps that wrapped around (Stohwasser gaiters? see here) others (like this) with a hook at the bottom and a buckle and strap at the top. They are fairly common on the market in the US as US mounted troops and officers wore them. I have several different sets each of a slightly different style. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinrowlinson Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 Any good? Can you think of any reason why he may being wearing a gun, especially at home? Just my opinion but in general this was not usual practice, which leads me to suspect that this BSM or BQMS (depending on date) has some special duty. The only gunners I can think of who were given these in the field were certain members of a trench mortar battery. The number of rifles allotted to batteries/brigades depended on the size of the unit. None of the published allocation of equipment, that I have seen, to these batteries/brigades list hand guns. Given the large number of these types of units vastly outnumbered those of TMBs (especially personnel), I do not for one minute believe that it was usual for a RFA, or RGA, sergeant to carry a gun. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 Have you noticed how the shoes of both people in the photograph seem to be very dirty ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 Have you noticed how the shoes of both people in the photograph seem to be very dirty ? I posted this in tt's postcards thread and the state of the footwear was noted by Khaki. You might have thought a boot clean to be in order before a photo! Being a Sgt as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 Can you think of any reason why he may being wearing a gun, especially at home? Just my opinion but in general this was not usual practice, which leads me to suspect that this BSM or BQMS (depending on date) has some special duty. The only gunners I can think of who were given these in the field were certain members of a trench mortar battery. The number of rifles allotted to batteries/brigades depended on the size of the unit. None of the published allocation of equipment, that I have seen, to these batteries/brigades list hand guns. Given the large number of these types of units vastly outnumbered those of TMBs (especially personnel), I do not for one minute believe that it was usual for a RFA, or RGA, sergeant to carry a gun. Kevin I had only wondered why he would be armed on leave. I would otherwise, wrongly it seems, have assumed a senior NCO to be so armed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGM Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 LOOKING at the dirty footwear.........I'm wondering if it has any bearing on the unexpected (?) fact that he is armed. Was he on duty somewhere muddy and his wife walked there in order to have their photograph taken together? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 The 'dirt' looks quite light-colored (sand ?), and the postcard bears the partial words "derson" & "h(k)pool" so I wonder if this was taken immediately after a pony ride or walk on the sands at Blackpool. Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 The 'dirt' looks quite light-colored (sand ?), and the postcard bears the partial words "derson" & "h(k)pool" so I wonder if this was taken immediately after a pony ride or walk on the sands at Blackpool. Regards, JMB Sorry I forgot to add, the card is from a photo studio in Welshpool, Powys. Welsh weather together with high street cattle markets and horse transport would easily explain wet and dirty boots, but not the Firearm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nepper Posted 16 December , 2015 Share Posted 16 December , 2015 Would sidearms be deposited when going on leave or taken with you? Ammunition I suppose was handed in. Then when they went for the photo one of them thought it would be a good idea to wear the revolver for the photo. I'm surprised the photographer didn't have a brush available to at least remove the worst of the dirt. 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