US M36 Belt Markings?

I have these 2 US M36 pistol belts that both came from a vendor in the former Soviet Union and therefore former "Lend-Lease" items and appear unissued. The only marking on both belts is the "US" on each belt that can be seen. Neither belt appears to have a maker mark. I am confident that both are genuine WW2 belts but since purchasing them I have become aware that some collectors are questioning the marking originality on certain items of US kit coming out of the former Soviet Union, such as is found on belts and pouches for example.

I have looked for advice online but it is very confusing when collectors/experts do not agree amongst themselves on what are genuine and what are fake markings.

I have read some express the view that Russian Lend-Lease US M36 pistol belts should have "US" and the maker's mark or no markings at all but I have no idea if this is correct.

I wouldn't have thought that Russia would have been that fussy what markings were on the kit and if they didn't like any markings they could have been painted out.

Any thoughts/opinions on this, please? Many thanks.

I think both belts are good.

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Originally Posted by Steve762

without warnings of any kind.

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Warnings? Markings?

You can still get WW2 US web gear from the former Soviet Union without any markings at all but the problem arises with the kit with markings if it's been "messed with".

Am I looking at this incorrectly? Aren't the snaps for the magazine pouch supposed to be on the left side of the belt? Either the snaps are on the wrong side of the belt or the US marking is upside down. Maybe photos of the whole belt would help.

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Originally Posted by Johnny l.

Am I looking at this incorrectly?

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You are looking at the correctly. On the belts in the pics, post 1, if the snaps are on the left then the US marking would be upside down.

I did see it suggested somewhere that sometimes the US marking was stamped upside down and the belt was still issued.

I found some old photos of some USMC/USN marking and there is a M36 belt with a USMC stamp. I have seen other M36 belts with a USMC stamp but do not think they are common to find Attachment 125731Attachment 125730