Web Rifle Case ?

[ROCK]

I have what appears to be a rifle case that is constructed of a material that is similar to British web rifle slings. It is the same color as the slings and it is just long enough to fit a No. 4 rifle inside. It has a large pocket on one side that is big enough to fit a couple of 20 round M14 magazines. Also, under the end flap I can just about make out the date 1945 and a broad arrow.

Does anyone have an idea about the identity of this case? I'll see if I can post some photos when I get the new camera going.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

These are a standard case for the #4 rifle. There's pics around here on the Lee Enfield forum if you check it out...

[ROCK]

These are a standard case for the #4 rifle. There's pics around here on the Lee Enfield forum if you check it out...

Thanks for the response. I did a search and found a photo of a case indentical to the one I have. What is the purpose of the large pocket on the side?

[browningautorifle]

Well, here we go again...NOT to quote the recent past thread on this, best we can guess...is anything the soldier carrying the package wanted to use it for.

I'm sure the originator had some EXACT use in mind, but no one seems to recall what it was. These cases are around, but I'd say for a collector of Lee Enfield, he'd need to have one. Not particularly expensive these days...

[ROCK]

Thanks, the pocket is quite roomy. I can only guess that it may be storage for a cleaning kit, spare mgazine and perhaps a sling.

Here are photos of the actual case that I have.

Attachment 61858Attachment 61857

[browningautorifle]

The rifle wasn't issued a spare magazine(not allowed), that's another long labourious thread we have here...cleaning gear, ammo, sandwich...

[ROCK]

...cleaning gear, ammo, sandwich...

Don't know about a sandwich but a 32 round box of Mk VII Ball fits nicely with room to spare for cleaning gear.

Thanks again for helping me solve this.

[mr.e moose]

The Brits and the Aussies seem to tend to lug around their vegemite sammies in the pouch. I still have not found out what the Canadian troopies carried in theirs. Perhaps prophylactics just so we could make the world a safer place.

[browningautorifle]

And here we go again...

Perhaps prophylactics

[mr.e moose]

And here we go again...

It is a honest question on what the pouch was for.I asked my 98 year old father in law what it was for and he said I haven't a clue I was in artillery.My tongue in cheek comment was about the fact that as the members of that time depart we lose the knowledge that they had.Kind of like what did this caveman use this rock for?