Who the *&## designed early web gear

OK, so I've done the bayonets, done the rifles, done the pistols, done the mess kits and done the canteens. I've moved on to web sets. Not claiming to be complete with any of the above but sort of reached the point I rarely find anything more to add due to scarcity or price.

US early, WWI and WWII Army. It's like a damn diaper that wraps around your crap and then you drawstring everything else to it. Waterproof??? Hell no.

The Marine Corps stuff is nice, I like the haversack and how it works with the other gear.

The Mountain pack setup is also good, kind of like the Swiss, maybe better.

Just got a Japanese pack and honestly, it's fairly decent in itself but accessorizing it is wild. like 20 straps, they call it the octopus pack. It's a repro, can't find or afford an original.

Major adventure today. Just got a grouping of 1937 pattern British webbing.

1 haversack, 2 bracing straps, 1 canteen with cover, 1 belt, 1 large pack, 2 utility pouches. I already have 1 large pack, 2 shoulder straps and 1 utility pouch and one small ammo pouch (303).

So, again, the pack seems nice, although small, the large pack is nice, the belt is good but putting it all together is a living nightmare. I need to get a pair of utility straps I think, and I should be good to go with this, maybe a second set of shoulder straps. Then I need to find my e-tool and carrier and bayonet frog which are here somewhere.

I actually got the haversack, belt with attached utility pouches to fit although I could not breath and for a short period, I had thoughts of the fire company coming and cutting the damn belt off as it was so tight I couldn't get it off.

I was never a huge fan of the Alice pack because it's huge and heavy but it at least was easy to use and did carry a lot of stuff. Today's packs are great although even they seem to have gone backwards with weird straps and connections.

In all the arguments you shall see online about who had the best military bolt action, you will never see anyone say it really didn't matter because the webbing was atrocious no matter which nation you were. Doesn't matter if your rifle is slightly better in one way or another if your still struggling to take out the ammo all the same.

I have found the greatest challenge to military webbing and similar equipment is finding somebody who can tell you why it is like that and how to use it properly. Once you know that, using it is much easier. Keep in mind it was designed and approved by a committee, usually with selected input from the end user before it is approved, the with lots of input after it is approved and in general issue and use.

As soon as we are used to using the current crop, the equipment changes so we have to find innovative ways to used the 'old' webbing with non-fitting new equipment, then the cycle starts all over again.

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Originally Posted by Daan Kemp

the equipment changes so we have to find innovative ways to used the 'old' webbing with non-fitting new equipment

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many in Iraq in the early days had the "new" (USMC definition) kevlar jackets, but no Molle gear. The current issued load bearing vests were a PIA to use with the jackets, so many opted to put on the old Vietnam-era h-harness, which we still had laying around too. Never did get the plate inserts with the jackets. still have my h-harness, butt pack, mag pouches, etc. somewhere - was never asked to turn em back in.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

Major adventure today. Just got a grouping of 1937 pattern British webbing.

1 haversack, 2 bracing straps, 1 canteen with cover, 1 belt, 1 large pack, 2 utility pouches. I already have 1 large pack, 2 shoulder straps and 1 utility pouch and one small ammo pouch (303).

So, again, the pack seems nice, although small, the large pack is nice, the belt is good but putting it all together is a living nightmare. I need to get a pair of utility straps I think, and I should be good to go with this, maybe a second set of shoulder straps. Then I need to find my e-tool and carrier and bayonet frog which are here somewhere.

I actually got the haversack, belt with attached utility pouches to fit although I could not breath and for a short period, I had thoughts of the fire company coming and cutting the damn belt off as it was so tight I couldn't get it off.

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:lol:

It gets worse when you start running around in it.....in itchy wool serge uniforms......wearing ammo boots :madsmile:

Once you get it all adjusted correctly, it is OK, but its generally a pretty poor design. The late war '44 Patten wasn't much better, other than it was lighter, and less rigid.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I need to get a pair of utility straps I think

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A pair of "L straps" left and right hand to attach to the tops of the basic pouches (ammo pouches).

It was so bloody uncomfortable, I always unclipped my belt just before hitting the deck, otherwise it felt like you broke your ribs.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

A pair of "L straps" left and right hand to attach to the tops of the basic pouches (ammo pouches).

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No, the thin long straps with a buckle on one end. Often used when the large pack was worn as a rucksack and the helmet was held to the back of it by these two straps. I believe the more official name is bracing straps. They have a lot of other uses.

I should probably get another set of L straps for the large pack. I do have one set.

British cotton web gear was designed by Mills Equipment Co UK with input from Ordnance Dept. See Karkee Web site.

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Originally Posted by green

British cotton web gear was designed by Mills Equipment Co UK

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Not quite the way he meant it...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Not quite the way he meant it...

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No but I thought it was hilarious how he slipped it in.

Friends...this thread cracks me up (in a very polite and admiring way). We had a saying..."If you're not complaining, then you're not happy". But boy ole boy did we know the difference between a complaint and a gripe - infected into every strand of our DNA by the venom of the evil Parris Island Sand Flea. I suppose this has been a staple truth in any era of armed conflict.

Fake-Captain Tom Hanks once said "Gripes only go up, never down"...but complaints can fly all around.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...d3DOIPpd-1.jpg

Went on an ebay spree last night, I tend to do that when I'm stressed. Got everything but the two thin bracing straps. There are numerous ones from England and if they sold them as a pair and combined the shipping, I'd do it but they don't list it as a possibility. Shipping is pretty high for a single item. I will send them a message and ask.

Didn't even get that far, new listing in US for 1942 clean pair. On the way.

....have both 1910 and 1918 belts to use for GAF expansion era shoots. Have the early, 1907 I think, suspenders. A pain to get adjusted and comfortable. Considering a set of 1936 suspenders to put together an early WW2 rig for BAMM matches.We don't wear the packs, haversacks or musette bags. We do carry pistols, med pouches, canteens, bayonets and/or fighting knives.