P08 config. 3 pouch set.

[4thGordons]

I just dug this out of a long forgotten corner. Picked up 20 years ago at a market.

This appears to be a 3 pouch variant of the 08 ammunition carriers (right side). As can be seen it is dated 1939. It also seems to have B -> stamped on it which, if it is a country mark is not one I am familiar with. Is this a WWII expedient for colonial or other forces or was there any GW production of the same?

Any information appreciated I have browsed the standard (Osprey etc) refs and drawn a blank.

Chris

[findabetterole]

Hello Chris...

I seem to remember seeing these pouches in use by the Greek Army. Its only a longshot, and I'm producing the info from memory of Nato operational tours in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

Seph

[bob lembke]

Hello Chris...

On the marking, I read Ltd and 1959, not 1939. I also think that your "B" is actually a "R".This of course would be post-war, and the Ltd suggests Brit, although the same notation might be used elsewhere.

Bob

[4thGordons]

Hi Bob

I am 99% certain it is 1939. the line from the middle of the 3 is straight and angles back it is not vertical as it would be for 5

There is an R on there (which I took to mean R(ight pouch) which it would be

Under the broad arrow at the end I am also pretty sure it is a B although it could be an 8

The full stamp appears to me to read

First line: MW & S Ltd 1939 B(under broad arrow)

under: R

Seph - I had a look at some pics of Greeks post war and they mostly seem to have 37pattern web - some with pairs of pouches - what I have seen described as "patrol pouches" or skeleton web but I have not yet found any pictures of 3 set up like this.

Thanks for the replies

Chris

[picardowoods]

Hi Chris

The pouch is "British" 45rnd for the .303" etc. Several interwar contracts were placed for these for India, though some were listed 'India (Burma)' hence the B /I\ .

I hope that helps

Carl

[John Thorne]

"MW&S Ltd." is Martin Wright & Sons, Ltd., the second largest (after Mills Equipment) maker of British webbing. The date definitely looks like 1939 to me. I am a webbing collector and I've NEVER seen one of these. Any chance of a picture of the back? And if you ever want to sell it...

[4thGordons]

thanks for the replies...

here - as requested, is the back.

Chris