bandolier question

[tincansailor1]

Gentlemen:
I have a question that I hope you can answer or at least steer me in the right direction. Years ago I purchased a bandolier to go with my Enfield No.4. Recently while going through storage boxes I found the bandolier. It looks like a pattern 1903, 5 pouch and I believe it is an original. Markings that I can make out are:

Leibowitz Bros (PTY) Ltd, Johannnesburg.
It has the U with an arrow in it (assume it is some acceptance mark?) I can't find any dates.

I did a search on the name with no luck. I would like to know when it was made and anything else of interest. Also would like to know if any collectors out there would be interested in it as I no longer have the Enfield.
If I ever figure out the damn "smart phone" I can send pictures.

Information

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[Flying10uk]

The arrow within a U would be a South African acceptance marking but you don't say if the bandolier is made of leather or webbing. Without pictures that is probably about as much as any-one will be able to tell you I'm afraid.

[tincansailor1]

Here are some pictures.

[browningautorifle]

And Johannesburg...the U seems to be the cinch there. I'd say African.

[henry r]

it's a nice 50rd 1903 pattern II bandoleer.

more info here: Pattern 1903 Bandolier Equipment Bandoliers

i'm not sure about south African use, but in Australian use the light horse used 9 pouch bandoleers and other branches like artillery and engineers used the 5 pouch bandoleers.

[Flying10uk]

It appears to be in excellent condition but could probably benefit from a quality leather care treatment, applied lightly and in a careful manner.

[gew8805]

It is of British design and South African manufacture, a Pattern 1903 ro round bandolier.

Here is the information from THE source, Karkee Webb:

Pattern 1903 Bandolier Equipment Bandoliers

The P1903 equipment was in use by Great Britain and all Commonwealth countries, the South African cavalry bandolier like yours is fairly common.

As far as treatment to preserve it, DO NOT use any of the modern goops that contain petroleum products, one being Pecards. Use a light (very light) coat of either pure neatsfoot oil or lanolin.

[tincansailor1]

Thanks for the info. Will take care of it properly. I am assuming it is WW2 vintage? It seems to be in too good a shape for WW1. Is there any way to date this?

[gew8805]

Unless there is a date on the item, there is no way to be certain of the age, but my guess would be that it dates to the pre-WW1 era condition not withstanding. It may, however, have seen reserve until as late as the 1940s with police or other mounted groups, hard to tell. It does show signs of having seen little use since the P1903 equipment's lifespan was short lived, it was replaced by the P'08 web gear among front line troops during the Great War.