I know we're talking about hundreds (at least) of men who would need their rifles and MGs once on the ground and logistics were such that straw "padding" was considered a viable packing material, but day-em, 'dose containers scary!
I've had these valises for a while that have an aluminium parachute attachment. They seem to be for rifles, but I've never been able to ID them. Perhaps these are what we are talking about?
It's a type of Griswold leg bag but not like I have or have seen before. Those are meant to attach directly to the parachutist and he lowers them on his lowering rope before landing. Where did you get those, do you remember? The marking looks like the CAL marking, somewhat.
David mentions in his book that there are two types of rifle valises: one that goes out the door with the jumper and another less padded one for putting inside the drop container. The valise that goes with the jumper has a pouch on its side to hold the rope for lowering the rifle before landing as does yours suggesting your valise is the former, not the latter. I've attached a couple of pictures from his book showing the general layout of the valise and its hardware for your perusal. Interestingly the muzzle of the rifle protrudes downwards while the valise is attached to the jumper but rotates 180 degrees after being lowered to allow the butt of the rifle to strike first. Is there a date of manufacture on your valise? It looks slightly different and longer than the ones in the book.
The padded valise shown in that book extract is the type that the 1st AB Recce vets said were used by the snipers that jumped, as one of the collectors in the Living History Group that was associated with the AB Reece veterans association had one in his collection of airborne gear along with a de-activated 4T, which he used to bring to display at their reunions back in the 80's and 90's.
Just the thing for putting round holes in square heads.
I had one in the past; I see I'd forgotten it had the quick release strap.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
It's a type of Griswold leg bag but not like I have or have seen before. Those are meant to attach directly to the parachutist and he lowers them on his lowering rope before landing. Where did you get those, do you remember? The marking looks like the CAL marking, somewhat.
Going by the pics in the book and Surpmil’s example, they are very crudely stitched ( by hand) to me that’s the sign of something disposable…..unlike the nicer examples that BP has.
PM
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