Does Anyone Know What These Pouches Were For?

[oldfoneguy]

I just picked these up this past weekend at a gun show.
My intent is to use them as M1 clip pouches with my M56 butt pack set.
As can be seen they fit a Garand clip perfectly.
I'm trying to find out what they were originally designed for and what military would have used them.
I was told by the seller he thought they were grenade pouches because of the loop inside.
Having no knowledge about these I defer to the experts here.
One is a little less worn than the other and this red stamp shows but I can't read much on it except maybe seeing the number 52 at the bottom right.
Thanks in advance as always.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I think you'll find them a '37 pattern variant. You can see in the third pic where the suspender straps have been removed, they were for .303 ammo. Two five rounders each.

Here's what the book states...

Cartridge Carrier: A horizontal rectangular case with two square pouches that carried a total of 20 rounds (4 × 5-round clips). It was designed for use by non-infantry soldiers who carried a rifle. Each pouch contained (2) 5-round chargers that were separated by a cloth divider. The pouch had two snaps: the bottom snap was used if only one clip was carried and the top snap was used if both clips were carried. The back of the carrier attached to the web belt with two long oval metal hooks and the top had a strap that linked into the shoulder strap.

[oldfoneguy]

Hey Jim thanks for the fast response. So they are originally British ammo pouches interesting. Strange how you mentioned the shoulder strap connector as there were 2 of them in the bin that still had that shoulder strap attachment however they were in terrible shape with disintegrating stitching. As the attachment would never be used I went with the ones in better shape.

[browningautorifle]

Whether British or some offshore, I can't see the markings. I picked up a set in Cyprus in 1980 that had been cast off a wounded man and left behind, I'd seen them in 1976 but was unable to get to them then. They were the same as those but as poorly marked. If you look up 1937 pattern webbing, you'll see them.

[Flying10uk]

Last pic, I think that you will find that "ABL" indicates Belgium origin. In other words post WW2 and not British.

[oldfoneguy]

Last pic, I think that you will find that "ABL" indicates Belgium origin. In other words post WW2 and not British.

Now that you pointed out that ABL I see it and I think below that is an OV and a 52 or 57

[oldfoneguy]

So these pouches were fairly useless to me as they wouldn't work with a GI pistol belt. Seeing as they have no real value, the suspender clips are gone plus they aren't British made no problem modifying them. I removed the brass belt clips and the stitching that held them in place, opened up the channel and made a new opening below the heavily stitched area at the top. Then I installed a pair of Alice clips and now I have nice pouches that will hold either 4 .303 strippers or 2 Garand clips each depending on what I'm playing with that day. That's excellent in my book for a $5 investment.

[browningautorifle]

Perfect, no need to carry a cartridge belt for a simple afternoon shoot. Even good for hunting...