findabetterole Posted 23 May , 2007 Share Posted 23 May , 2007 Hello Chums, I'm searching for the difference between the British WW.1 & WW.2 canvas 5-pocket (50-rds) spare ammo bandoliers. The WW.2 version was used well into the 1990's for 7.62 SLR ammo. This version had both white metal and thin brass wire clip closure fittings. It's mainly the closure fittings I'm interested in. Did the WW.1 version have 'press studs', 'buttons', or the type of clips used in later WW.2 and post war versions? Any pics or information regarding this would be very gratefully received. Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Henschke Posted 23 May , 2007 Share Posted 23 May , 2007 The examples I have seen, that are dated have either; 1. copper hooks 2. press studs, or 3. steel buttons, black japanned. The press studs are quite small (about 11mm) compared to the later common WW2 patterns. Here are some Mk II 1916 and 1918 examples. Chris Henschke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in minnesota Posted 23 May , 2007 Share Posted 23 May , 2007 And here is a 1915 dated example with buttons: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 23 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 23 May , 2007 Thank you.. Chris, John, That's exactly the info I was after!. Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raster Scanning Posted 23 May , 2007 Share Posted 23 May , 2007 Here is a 1918 version with the wire clips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 23 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 23 May , 2007 Here is a 1918 version with the wire clips Thank You 'Raster'.. that's very much appreciated. Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 23 May , 2007 Share Posted 23 May , 2007 Interesting that the 1918 bandoleer held Mark VIIz ammunition. Although not exclusively so, VIIz was generally used in MGs. Regards TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nbroardarrowz Posted 23 May , 2007 Share Posted 23 May , 2007 Dear All, The MkII 'Bandolier, cotton, 50 rounds' was introduced into the L.O.C. in Jan 1910 and is made of a khaki coloured denim fabric with 5 pockets divide by a double row of stitching. The MkI and Mk I* bandoliers were made from drill fabric and have larger pockets divided by a single row of stitching and a slightly different type of fastner. In my collection I have a Mk II bandolier with press studs (dated 10-16) and a Mk II bandolier with copper wire hooks (dated 5-18). Both banodliers are marked II (mark two). The Mk III bandolier was introduced in September 1944 and was made from a khaki drill fabric. Reference New Zealand Army Personal Equipment 1910-1945 ISBN 0-9582535-9-5 Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 24 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 24 May , 2007 Interesting that the 1918 bandoleer held Mark VIIz ammunition. Although not exclusively so, VIIz was generally used in MGs. Regards TonyE Was that common practice Tony... or do you think this ammunition was placed into the bandoliers due to no other container being available at the time? Thank you Barry, thats good background info. I've now got quite a shere of info to use. Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 24 May , 2007 Share Posted 24 May , 2007 I think it is difficult to say whether it was common practice or not, as so few WWI period bandoleers seem to have survived. There is absolutely no reason why VIIz should not be packed for rifle use, it just seems to be found more often in MG belts. Packing of ammunition into cartons, belts or bandoleers was either done at Woolwich or at Park Royal in West London. Manufacturers delivered the loose ammo to these locations in bulk crates. Until it was demolished about ten years ago the old Ministry of Munitions packing facility at Park Royal was used by the BBC as rehearsal rooms (on the A40 just east of Hanger Lane). Regards TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
findabetterole Posted 24 May , 2007 Author Share Posted 24 May , 2007 Packing of ammunition into cartons, belts or bandoleers was either done at Woolwich or at Park Royal in West London. Manufacturers delivered the loose ammo to these locations in bulk crates. Until it was demolished about ten years ago the old Ministry of Munitions packing facility at Park Royal was used by the BBC as rehearsal rooms (on the A40 just east of Hanger Lane). Regards TonyE Thanks for that info TonyE... Would it be feasable then to surmise... if there was a shortfall of ready ammunition to fullfill a consignment for either MG-belt or Rifle bandolier, that this shortfall could well be made up from awaiting bult crates of either type... hence the example of the 1918 bandolier: VIIz? Seph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 25 May , 2007 Share Posted 25 May , 2007 That is quite feasible. As I said earlier, there is no reason why VIIz should not be used in rifles, it just seems to turn up more often in belts. The stocks of .303 fluctuated quite widely, sometimes too much in stock and at other times worryingly little. When stocks were low it would make sense to pack whatever was available from the manufacturers for either infantry or MG use. It is not often realised that in late 1916 some 60% of the total small arms ammunition production of the UK was devoted to making ammo for the Russians, .303, 7.62 x 54 and 6.5mm Arisaka. Regards TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arantxa Posted 12 March Share Posted 12 March is it only the ww1 with the press buttons as your picture shows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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