7.62mm LMG Accessory

[tankhunter]

A while back, there was a thread on BREN/ LMG Ammo pouches.

For your perusal, & Interest. I have posted some pics for you Guys.
Hope they are of some use?

Before anyone asks, NO, they are NOT for Sale!....

I finally dug out the Auxillury Pouches I have for the 7.62mm Mags.
Typical Tan cotton material, the same as the Rifle Bandolier versions. Dated 1960 & the usual ME Co manufacturer.
Each pouch will hold TWO 30 round mags. There are twin tie straps at the bottom of each pouch to secure. Presumably, to the two pouches ,universal. Worn with the normal combat webbing sets.

I have never encountered these in service myself personaly. But that dosent mean they were not held in War Reserve stocks of ammo.

Peter, have you ever seen/Used/ Encountered these Mate?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Peter Laidler]

Never seen them.......... The rule of thumb with us who were armed with Brens/L4's was that there was sufficient ammo capacity within the section to support the riflmen and the Bren section. I wonder if they were held back in reserve for a day when the front line troops would need to be resupplied with pre-loaded magazines. Just a guess but I never saw or encountered such stuff at the School of Infantry where you'd expect to see such stuff or on ops in the Far East theatre

[Kev G]

For anyone interested there are loads HERE

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

Looking at them again, I have to say that the shortness of the neck strap makes me suspicious that they are Bren magazine pouches. Can you imagine running about during an assault on a position - what we call a basic Infantry section attack - with the magazines in those pouches bouncing up and down like a bulldogs balls right under and sooooo close to your chin? Nope...... I don't somehow think that they are for Bren magazines. With a neck strap that short, they wouldn't get past the first day at the INfantry trials unit!

I'm thinking something for a pair of pliers and a hack-saw for one of those signal jockey types who generally speaking couldn't tune a radio in if they were sitting in their living room at home on a sunny day

[tankhunter]

Yes, I know where your coming from Pete. I have never encountered them before either Mate!

I would bet a Pound to a pinch of Sh*t that they are indeed for LMG Magazines though.
I would hazard a guess that they were the Brainchild of someone who has never worn webbing sets. Or even carried an LMG!.... (Typical of some of the things the 'Boffins' dream up. Don't make what the User NEEDS, But dreams up something HE THINKS the User Needs!)

Absolutely TYPICAL manufactured quality of the 'Disposable' Tan Cotton Bandolieurs that we all knew so well. & burned on the Ranges after a days shooting with all the 'consumable' packaging that was not accountable. To be returned to the Ammo storemen!

I am of the same opinion as you. That the 'Neck strap' was too short. You WOULD indeed get a sore neck through chaffing after a while. (But that never stopped them designing that awfully uncomfortable '37 Pattern webbing. Of the Horrible Shirts KF. Did it?)

After looking at this item over a cup of Coffee. I would stick my neck out & say, the best way to have worn it is like this.
Over the left shoulder (If your right handed! ) with the tie straps around the front of the yoke or ammo pouch strap. And the rear ties to the same, but on your back, obviously.

That way, it dosen't get in the way of your neck. Or get in the way too much if you have to lie down. Or access to the pouch below.

As none of the old & bold have seen them in service. I would also think that they didn't last too long. Due to unesscary expense, & unpopularity feedback from the 'End User'!.....

If you saw this bandolier in your hands Pete. It SCREAMS At you, the same as a Rifle Ammo Bandolieur!

Anyhoo, an interesting LMG accessory, all the same. I think you would agree?

[Kev G]

These were also discused on the forum a while back. https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=21453&page=1
As mentioned only 1960 dated ones have only ever been seen.

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

If one of them is down tghe outside of your back, then when you REALLY need a replenish of ammo, how do you get the ones on your back. I know........... You get the Bren No2 man to put his arm up and round your back so that his arms are now in the line of fire........... Just my take on things. Maybe someone ought to write to DCTA (Defence clothing and textile agency as is now, who deal with all this sxxxe.....) and ask what the SV part number relates to.

But Bren or L4........ Personally, I don't think so somehow!

[gsimmons]

I have a pair of P37 utility pouches that are dated 1943. The strap at the top is a separate piece held on by a twig(sp?) buckle. I believe as Tanky said they were worn over one shoulder.

[Peter Laidler]

It's just the thought of 4x fully loaded magazines hanging off your shoulder, only held in place by the epaulettes - and that's only held up by a butrton don't forget - and the imbalance of it all......... Well, just don't seem right to me!

[tankhunter]

It's just the thought of 4x fully loaded magazines hanging off your shoulder, only held in place by the epaulettes - and that's only held up by a butrton don't forget - and the imbalance of it all......... Well, just don't seem right to me!

I agree with your points Pete. But WHEN did Common sense ever come into Play in the Army?.......The closure Copper folded 'Loop' is exactly the same as on rifle bandoliers. IE: Designed to be disposable in the field. I don't think these lasted very long, as pointed out by GSIMMONS as well. AND if the Ties were done up correctly, attached to the yoke straps front & rear (Guess his No.2 would have to tie the rear ties!) then in THEORY. It shouldn't move across his shoulder....I did say in THEORY Pete!......LOL. As we all know, the section Wallahs all carried at least two mags each for the gun. So really, an extra rifle bandolier with clipped ammo. Should be sufficient to top up the mags when needed. Hence this item was really superfluous, from the word Go!