Ammo belt for Carbine carriers?

[JLJ]

Does anyone know what the different US services did in WWII in issuing belts for those who were issued a carbine. Did they receive a Garand/03 cartridge belt or a pistol belt or a third option.

Thanks,

Jess

Information

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[saddler]

Several options - depending on branch of service

The main belt used was the standard M1936 Pistol belt.
The variety of different sized carbine-magazine pouches would attach to this

Some also used rigger-made pouches for carbine magazines.
There was also a carbine ammo bandolier which had stripper clips in for refilling magazines from.

As time passed & the 30-rd magazines were introduced larger pouches were introduced to suit

If you can, get the two "War Baby" volumes, brilliant reference books

[DaveHH]

They position on the pistol belt just like the .45 pouches. Everyone wears the pistol belt regardless of your job. It is part of the web gear package that includes suspenders, butt pack, etc. Eventually they figured out that certain two mag pouches fit over the stock and you would see that, so there would be two pouches on the belt and one on the weapon. With one in the weapon, that is 7 mags or 105 rounds. The web gear supported all manner of gear, canteens, flashlights, first aid pouches etc. It was also essential for dragging a wounded soldier out of harm's way. If you see a photo of a soldier without the web gear, sure bet that it is a posed shot.

[JLJ]

Thanks Dave and saddler. Dave, I was under the impression that the Garand belt was used with the suspenders just like the pistol belt. In some of the accounts I read the GIs stated they carried their Garand ammo in bandoleers yet kept the ammo belt to hang their canteen, etc on. So I began to wonder if the ammo belt was issued to carbine carriers of if they issued a pistol belt?

Saddler, the "Baby" books are on my list but they have gotten really expensive.

Jess

[saddler]

Thanks Dave and saddler. Dave, I was under the impression that the Garand belt was used with the suspenders just like the pistol belt. In some of the accounts I read the GIs stated they carried their Garand ammo in bandoleers yet kept the ammo belt to hang their canteen, etc on. So I began to wonder if the ammo belt was issued to carbine carriers of if they issued a pistol belt?

Saddler, the "Baby" books are on my list but they have gotten really expensive.

Jess

Riflemen issued a Garand or similar would have the dedicated Garand belt with the built in pouches to hold the Garand clip
The lower edge of this belt had a series of regularly spaced eyelets, to allow the attaching of canteens, bayonets, E-tool, etc. which used the M1910 carrier hook as the method of attachment.
In ADDITION to the clips carried in the belt it was also common to carry additional cotton bandoliers holding loaded Garand clips.
Given the weight of the loaded Garand belt, it was normally attached to the M1936 suspenders (later the M1944 suspenders)

The plainer pistol belt was for non-riflemen, NCO's, etc. such as those whose main role was non-rifleman - MG team, Mortarmen, cooks, drivers, etc.
Those with weapons other than the rifle also used the M1936 belt to carry whatever magazine pouches their weapon required...

I can add pics if you like?

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 PM ----------

Just found a Vol 1 "War Baby" in PA for $55 online & there is a Vol. II in Canada for $53

Those are better than the prices the books sell for here in the UK....and they are REALLY good books!

[JLJ]

Thanks saddler. I saw a WB for $55 but that's too much for right now. As for pictures, send them on, I love them.

Jess

[imarangemaster]

I have seen a picture of a GI with a 1936 pistol belt and 3 carbine pouches in the PTO (Merril's Maurauders, I think) and several of GIs in ETO with two mag pouches. One from the Bastogne area had what appeared to be three carbine pouches.

[Bill Hollinger]

Thanks saddler. I saw a WB for $55 but that's too much for right now. As for pictures, send them on, I love them.

Jess

I've seen them for less but that is about right. BTW, welcome to the site!

[imarangemaster]

Here's the one from the Bulge where he has two, but maybe 3 pouches on his belt. I can't find my Merril's one with 3 pouches.

[frankderrico]

RM, I believe the soldier in the overalls is a tanker. You can see three mag pouches but you only see part of his belt. He may have more.
Didn't some Marine's have special belts with snaps for carbine pouches.....Frank