Is this an L4 magazine pouch?

[Peter Laidler]

Bren aux mag pouches eh............. I was serving from 1963 to a couple of years ago, through the Bren and L4 era and I never ever saw such items. I appreciate that the REME didn't got a lot of this all singing and dancing kit, but I was with the Infantry for a good deal/most of the time. I'd like to see a) a photo of it in use. A staged photo would do and b) anywhere that this bit of kit is mentioned. I can't fins any mention of it in the parts list, the EMER, importantly, the Inf Training booklets where you'd expect to find it or anywhere else.

I checked the VAOS part number and it's not current or in the obsolescent list so........

The 60's era section machine guns were Brens and the curved mags don't seem to fit and the L4 Brens. Believe me, there's no shortage of magazine capacity then because the rifle and LMG mags were fully interchangeable and at every short pause you are taught to check magazines, equalise the ammo share-out, top up magazines, cheack other over for wounds and scrapes then drink some water. Every Infantryman knows that off by heart. And guess what, just in case you all think I'm being a bit of a dipstick................ Having been there, the very LAST thing that you want with a Bren Gun is to struggle getting tight magazines out of a pouch. Mind you, I could be wrong on that score

[LesterH]

Me thinks it would be preferable to carry a box of 12 Bren mags, rather than two sets of aux pouches. Spoke to my local ACF Capt, 46 years in the ACF and brengun instructor. He has never seen the Bren or L4 version of these pouches. The only reference that I can find is for "The King and Country" Toy soldier Brengun team. Gunner and No2 have aux pouches. The gunner is also wearing the tool roll. Perhaps they were a good idea in theory but did not work? Over the years I have been collecting tools, transit chests and webbing to go with my Brenguns. Got a spare MK2 barrel and breach block in resin as well.

[gsimmons]

According to karkeeweb.com they are stores ref.A1/AA 1515 Pouch, Utility, Front with strap and S.F. A1/AA 1516 Pouch,Utility, Rear with loop. LoC B1624 could used ......worn over patt. '08 or patt.'37 web equipment. For use with Bren, Boys AT, and 2 in. OSB mortar. Of course it doesn't say if they were actually used or not, or just available.

[Kev G]

I'm totally confused now .
The OP was asking about this item-

These are nothing to do with Pattern 37 web.

ATB KG

[Peter Laidler]

2" Mortars only went out of service about 10 years (?) ago and I never saw them with 2" mortars either. I think that the bombs for the mortar came in a 3 pack horizontal throw away rack thinggy. We called the 2" mortar 'section artillery'

[peregrinvs]

These are nothing to do with Pattern 37 web.

Indeed. If they are for L4 magazines, then they'll be an 'associated with' Pattern 1958 item. The good news is that a Pattern 1958 section appears to be in the pipeline for Karkeeweb, although it's currently a work in progress:

Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1958

[Peter Laidler]

What about being pouches for a couple of rifle fired ENERGA grenades. Anyone tried? Mind you,I never saw them being used in that role either. An Energa didn't do anything that a 3.5 rocket couldn't do. I remember being taught how to derail a train with one......... A 3.5 rocket I mean as opposed to an Energa!

[Brit plumber]

Is the 3.5" rocket, the Super Bazooka? If it is I've a practice round that missed a Churchill range target some years ago,before I knew what it was I thought it was fired from an aircraft its that big.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Just for fun, I do have a chest carrier for four 7.62 Bren magazines. It came with 4 NEW magazines.
But it looks nothing like the one pictured (a lot better made) and the magazines are in individual pockets

[nzl1a1collector]

Just for fun, I do have a chest carrier for four 7.62 Bren magazines. It came with 4 NEW magazines.
But it looks nothing like the one pictured (a lot better made) and the magazines are in individual pockets

I would say yours will be a Canadian C2 Bra, for the 30 round (Straight) magazines for the C2/C2A1 Automatic Rifle. Dose it look like this?