Or do you mean the trooper DUNERA? I think that 1RGJ came back from Borneo on it. That was one of its last trooping assignments
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Or do you mean the trooper DUNERA? I think that 1RGJ came back from Borneo on it. That was one of its last trooping assignments
Also a good probability why the leather handles didn't survive. The Far East was a killer on all leather.
I remember the leather waist and shoulder covers that went over the PARA bergen frame, being eventually eaten away in the incessant downpours and tropical heat in the oolloo, albeit I know the chests were exactly that, a transit chest, but they still sweated in the armouries like the weapons. The canvas bags were the best part of the bergen, until they made us trial some plastic crap whilst there, which had no buckle ends and everything just fell apart.
The saviour.....................44 Pattern, the workhorse of jungle warfare and the watyer bottles even used by lads today;)
I just checked on the link Seaforth provided regarding the leather items an I'm a little confused. http://www.mooreleather.co.uk/sniper...ww2---british\ I have one the same as the 3rd pattern mentioned that is stated as the latest pattern but the strap is stamped B.H.&G 1941. It would seem that would be an earlier WWII pattern.
Interesting I also have one of the 2nd Pattern caps they list as a- RARE VARIATION with the
darker creased leather versions they show, on my other 44 "T". Ray
Here's photos of it
Attachment 72707Attachment 72708
P.S. By the way, That is a beautiful rifle, congratulations on finding it, Ray
I believe there was a discussion some time ago about that. I think it was on Badger's site where the informal, (non documented), consensus was that it was left on but some snipers had removed it. Ray
The cut-off could only be removed in an Armourers shop. Not possible for an average sniper to do so. And if an Armourer removed it, same as on a No1, they were aware that it would just be another hole/slot for dirt. dust and other crap to enter the rifle. Designers also knew the phrase that 'dust and dirt are the arch enemy of magazines'. That's why they welded the view holes up on sten gun magazines.
It's only anecdotal but all of the 'unadulterated' Trials 4T rifles I've ever come across retained their cut-offs - at least as far as I can recall. It might seem counter intuitive, until you read Peter's posting above.