Pattern 44 Webbing

[Flying10uk]

I have recently been purchasing a few bits of Pattern 44 webbing for my collection and it does seem less common on the surplus market than Pattern 37 even though Pattern 44 was in service over a relative large time frame. Apart from basic pouches, one item of Pattern 44 kit that I have recently purchased is the "small pack" (small rucksack). When it arrived I was amazed at just how small the Pattern 44 pack actually is. Seen below, it seems to bring a whole new meaning to the word "small"; my initial reaction was that it's "toy-town" in size. I realise that Pattern 44 webbing also had a larger pack available but I don't, currently, have an example in my collection.

Despite it's small size the Patt.44 small pack does have a "waterproof" lining attached to the inside and so I'm thinking that it's quite innovative in that respect.

I am assuming that the "small pack was only intended and used as a "day pack" for short patrols and the large pack for anything else? I have seen it stated that Pattern 44 webbing was a nice and good webbing system to use but I was wondering about the thoughts of people here who may have used Pattern 44 webbing, please?

When would Pattern 44 webbing finally have been retired from UK service, please; I'm guessing mid 1980's?

How much use did Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries make of Pattern 44 webbing, please?

Many thanks for any replies and input.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

We never used that stuff, thank God...we had our own problems. We used '37 until Korea and then slowly changed to '51...then slowly changed to '64. It took until '82 to get mag pouches for our FNs, then 25 years old and on the way out. Once we all had '82 we started to look at load bearing vests for real, the Israelis had used them for 25 years by then. We adopted the load bearing vest, known as tac vest for general use in about '05...

[22SqnRAE]

How much use did Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries make of Pattern 44 webbing, please?

Australia went to Korea with '37 Pattern webbing. Enough said.

When we were alongside other troops with better stuff, we commonly 'found' some of their stuff to issue to our Diggers. In New Guinea, the Diggers often found the long Yank gaiters were superior to the crud they had, so they were quickly adopted as "ours" too. In Korea, Malaya and Borneo you'll often see photos of RAR diggers with Brit webbing and kit. The reason was we usually had crap kit and not enough of it, but our mates that invited us to the party usually did and were happy to share.

Our speed of adoption of new and better ideas as approved from the dim dark dungeons of Canberra, (where all our fantastic decisions are made) is neck and neck with the gestation of an African elephant or the blazing pace of an Antarctic glacial slide.

[Daan Kemp]

South Africa not at all. We usually had kit suited for the operations we were involved in. Good stuff.

[Flying10uk]

It would be interesting to know what was actually intended to be carried in the Pattern 44 small pack? Just putting a military style jumper into the main compartment and it's 50% filled already.

[browningautorifle]

small pack

The '37 small pack was for small items. There was a large pack for your other items and a kit bag for the rest. A small pack is just for socks and small items...toiletries... That was one of the items we hung on to and kept issuing, '37 small pack and the '37 basic pouches.

[Peter Laidler]

You filled the small pack with whatever you were told to and needed for the operation plus a pair of dry socks, OG/JG shirt etc, rolled up tight and a spare pair of jungle boots (made by BATA) strapped to the top with a good and yes, it was waterproof, hooded poncho underneath. I have to say that I never ever saw a large pack used or even carried although we had them. I think that we had the large pack because when you arrived the QM issued all your kit as a job-lot inthe large pack. All stuff that you couldn't carry was supplied at AP's or air dropped. We only had 44 patt kit in Malaya and the Far East generally and it was well liked, very light and almost expendable - within reason. Us, the Brits, Kiwis, Malay army and police all had 44 stuff. Our 'skeleton order' of belt pouches and water bottles/holster were always kept assembled and slung over the ends of our beds. I remember that the small pack had a liner but the notion that anything remained dry there was farcical as the monsoons seemed to start at the end of August and stop at the end of the following July. Once the 2hour or so monsoon torrent had passed over, within an hour you were dry again. I should say, sort-of dry because you were always stinking sweaty wet

[Flying10uk]

The 44 Pattern pouches seem like a good, well thought out design when compared to their predecessors. I like the 2 options of height on the closure tabs and I believe that the example seen here is of a later manufacture because it has 2 options of height attachment for fitting to the belt on the rear. This left hand pouch also has a bayonet attachment, similar to what is seen on the 58 Pattern webbing pouch.

The example that I have here appears unissued but the only marking that I can see is "16" on the inside of the pouch. What it means and why there are no other markings I have no idea?

[browningautorifle]

"16" on the inside of the pouch

Inspector's number.

I have to say that I never ever saw a large pack used or even carried although we had them.

I saw them but wasn't issued. They were a hold over from the past. Only ever heard of the defaulters being issued so they could square them with plywood for evening inspections. Yes, kit lists...usually useless stuff that was hardly usable.

[Peter Laidler]

It's been a long time now....., but I don't remember our 44 stuff from the mid to late 60's having two heights to mount on our belts as shown OR the two position closure buckle. Strange! In my time in Malaya we had both 303 and L4 Brens, Sterlings, Mk5 Stens, Owens and F1's plus AR15's and there wasn't a magazine problem with a single position closure even with grenades and smoke. If there WERE two belt heights as shown I only remember the lower height because as I recall, you could rest the Bren on the right pouch when firing from he waist. I expect a webbing fiend will be able to correct me if I'm wrong so feel free