Sten Magazine Bandeliers

[gsimmons]

How much were these actually used? Most seam to be in very good condition. Thank you.


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[Peter Laidler]

I think the fact that they all seem or appear to be new and unissued speaks volumes. I personally don't think that they were used generally. The Sten gun magazine was designed to be as long as it is (9.5") so that it would fit into the 37 pattern ammo pouches. You could probably get 10 magazines into two pouches so quite why there'd be a need for a bandolier type of mag pouch is anyones guess. As I said. No doubt they WERE available for issue but I never saw them and I was an Armourer during the last days of Sten guns - and 37 pattern webbing. Pouches, yes, Sten magazine bandoliers, no!

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

But they are still a nice acessory!

[Brian Dick]

And pretty uncommon over here in the USA.

[gsimmons]

Thank you, that's what I thought.

[Infanteer]

There is photographic evidence of the Sten bandoleers being used by members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion during the war. Jumpers needed to carry a lot of kit and the basic pouches would have been full of other gear leaving no room for the Sten mags. I've never seen photos of anyone other then paratroopers using the bandoleers.

[gsimmons]

Thank you infanteer, can you post any pictures? I'd be interested in seeing them. Thanks

[Peter Laidler]

I was a paratrooper, so was Brian at BDL and anything extra, over and above what we carried in our basic kit, it was carried in in the container and not on us

Oh yes, I almost forgot......... Anything loose, especially heavy and loose like a flapping bandolier that could tangle or get caught anywhere such as rigging and the like (something sharp caught under the risers was always fun!) was a BIG no no

[Warren]

Afraid they do exist. This one was picked from a pile of gear being scrapped in the early 60's by the Canadian government. An entire truck load was dumped at a scrap dealer in western Canada and the feeding frenzy began... I was there at the time and got this one along with some other kit such as a Boys cover, and other items. Much of it had stores tags on it as well.

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[gsimmons]

A number of years ago when I was looking for one I tried to get a first pattern but it brought over $600. I was outbid on a 1942 dated one. So I ended up with the 1944 dated one. They all seem to be in the same condition. But I feel lucky to get one. Has anyone seen a 1st pattern lately?