Rarity of P-08 web waist belt 'special'?

[BobsYourUncle]

There was a common alternative to the Belt Special, because it was not in abundant supply, even during the war.  Soldiers whose duties were such that they did not wear the typical ammunition pouches, or wore pistols, simply looped the shoulder braces around the waist belt, then secured the brace back onto itself with the 2" buckle that normally fastened the large valise to the shoulder braces at the back. Attached is a photo illustrating the practice from "Tangled Web: Canadian Infantry Accoutremonts 1855-1985", by Jack L. Summers. Summer also supplies a photo of what may now be an even more rare variation, later in the war, consisting of shoulder braces made with a simple loop at one end, through which the waist belt was passed. This was a partial answer to the lack of supply of the Belt Special and the brace attachment that went with it.