Any idea on this BAR belt?

[METT-T]

Guessing this is a foreign military version of a BAR magazine belt. Auction buy, bunch of junk in the box mostly. Has some age but can't find an exact match online. The ends of the adjustable waist belt are rubberized instead of having a metal piece. Only stamp or marking on it is a "B" on the back of the pouches. It's hard to pick up in the picture but the pouch flaps and waist belt are a forest green and the pouches are OD. Very noticably different.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[RCS]

Your BAR belt must have been made for tropical service - my guess ? odd there is no date or other markings.

Here is a photo of a WW1 BAR belt with the steel pocket to support the Model 1918 BAR butt stock, for firing the weapon while advancing. It did not work out. After the war and before WW2 most were converted by having another magazine pocket replace the steel support. These conversions are rare to find now.

Also kind of rare to find part is the Model 1918A1 BAR bipod also shown in my photos. First issued in 1937 and use during the early days of WW2

[browningautorifle]

I've seen belts with two tone construction. During time of need they would do. Here's some other clap trap about it. Read... M1923 Cartridge belt - 1923 CARTRIDGE BELTS - U.S. Militaria Forum

[METT-T]

Here's a pic of the ends of the waist belt:



Can't find anything similar online.

The "B" kinda looks similar to the B in Boyt, but it isn't square to anything and I don't see anything that indicates there was more to the stamp that wore off. Went over it again and this along with a similar one on the other side are the only marks on it.



I guess it could be OD7 and OD3?



Lot of wear on the grommets on the bottom edge. I see how these were rigged with canteens and first aid pouches and whatnot, but that's a lot.



Can't find any foreign manufacturers other than a British contract, and a foreign manufacturer wouldn't square with the "transitional" color scheme. Seems too old and worn for a repro.

[METT-T]

Your BAR belt must have been made for tropical service - my guess ? odd there is no date or other markings.

Here is a photo of a WW1 BAR belt with the steel pocket to support the Model 1918 BAR butt stock, for firing the weapon while advancing. It did not work out. After the war and before WW2 most were converted by having another magazine pocket replace the steel support. These conversions are rare to find now.

Also kind of rare to find part is the Model 1918A1 BAR bipod also shown in my photos. First issued in 1937 and use during the early days of WW2Attachment 123884Attachment 123885Attachment 123886

I remember seeing a video clip of walking fire. Neat piece!

[browningautorifle]

I have no doubt that it's good, just exactly who it was made by and for...?

[Flying10uk]

Guessing this is a foreign military version of a BAR magazine belt.

There was a FAL mag belt which looked similar, a bit like a BAR mag belt, and some like to call it as such. The example that I have has shoulder straps attached to the belt to carry some of the weight of the mags in the pouches.