M-1956 Pouches?

Hi

Please could you give me your opinion on these M56 ammunition pouches I believe them to be original, but would appreciate a second opinion

Thanks

Hi

some more pictures of pouches

Yep, look original GI and brand new. They aren't that scarce so I would expect to be able to find originals...

The canvas is what we had in the USMC for the M14 clips. Due to dry rot they switched the later ones to a nylon fabric. Those had hard plastic locking clip on the cover ours had snaps. Check out any USMC photos with M14s. You will see the mag pouches the two side straps are for grenades. These are common and to my knowledge no reproductions. These are always at flee markets and Army surplus stores.

I believe the USMC used the single magazine pouchAttachment 113153Attachment 113154 before the double mag pouch

Yes, Jarheads had single, and then later 1969-72 double pouches. We got two double pouches with the 782 gear. The pouch shown by boristhepig is odd that it does not have a snap or plastic clip. I never saw the slide type attachment. Maybe army???
I still believe that to be a VIETNAM WAR ORIGINAL CASE, SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION DSA-100-69-C-0679. It is marked US and dated 1969. Not USMC that I ever saw so it must be US Army issue.
Here is a great reference: Vietnam to ALICE ammo pouches - RIFLE - U.S. Militaria Forum

Those are in nice shape. Two M14 mags or 3 twenty round M16 mags and straps to hold two grenades. The longer adjustable strap with the clip attached to the M1956 suspenders to help distribute the weight.

I, for one, resisted the change to the nylon web gear for as long as possible. It took more to make the canvas burn than to make the nylon melt. Also I like the quiet and rugged closures on those pouches. Who ever the moron was that was so freaking infatuated with velcro they use it everywhere must have never tried to open t quietly in the dark. It's not like stepping on a branch, maybe they will think it's an animal.

I used a pair of the M 1956 pouches for FN C1 mags myself. I also had an "H" harness and used the Canadian belt. They worked flawlessly but others went ahead and got the nylon pouches with the black plastic closures... They were earlier than the pouches with the plastic closures is all...came before them.

I am not sure why, but invariably pictures of these pouches shown with magazines in them show the magazines contrary to the way we were taught during basic training fifty plus years ago. Magazines were to be inserted rounds down, bullets pointing down range. When positioned that way when you grabbed a magazine and turned your hand everything was lined up properly to insert straight into the weapon.

https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/i...e00cad2f6e.jpg

The FM wants M14 mags bottom up and facing opposing directions so they form a square instead of fat wedge. Then when you grab they don't bind. But these are just in for display.