Pattern 37 Gear

[Aragorn243]

I got a big roll of bubble wrap and packed a few of the haversacks. They look good. Not exactly cheap but for $20 I can have nice display pieces. I did two and it looks like I have enough for two more, maybe three. I'm going to use plastic grocery bags also.

[Flying10uk]

And it STILL is not an economy belt. Now I suppose we could debate what is economy measures all day which would be pointless. This belt has one non-standard feature not done for economy but so manufacturers without the capacity to weave the hook openings could still manufacture the belts. All brass fittings are present. True economy belts used less metal and steel fittings rather than brass. It was to save war materials and this practice started in 1943. This is a 1941 belt. Only two companies had the ability to integral weave the belts, so these belts are not uncommon either, this is standard early war production for all companies besides Mills and M Wright and Sons. These contracts were awarded starting in 1939 as the war started and Mills and M Wright couldn't meet demand.

I haven't just, recently, started collecting militataria items or 37 Pattern Webbing. Clearly your definition of an "economy 37 Pattern belt" is completely different to mine.

You are assuming that the belt has to have all of the features that you mention to make it an "economy belt" but I do not believe this to be the case and the 2nd to last example on the Karkee Web website page is a good example. It has all the features of a standard 37 Pattern belt but because it is made out of 3 short lengths of belt sown together, this is what makes it one of the "economy versions", i.e. more than one version of the "economy belt" with differing features.

[Aragorn243]

Again, if you feel the need to call it an economy belt even though it does not have a single economy measure in it, be my guest. I will not. It is standard production for all but two manufactures of these belts. My source is not an internet source but a well-researched book which I recommended on this sight several months ago. This does not have steel fittings to replace the more needed brass. It does not have sewn ends to the buckles to reduce the amount of steel used. It does not have fabric replacing the brass or steel sleeves and it is not short pieces of belt leftovers sewn into one. It is AGAIN standard production for all but two manufacturers of these belts and the economy measures did not begin until 1943. Economy means to save something, money, materials, etc. This practice was to allow more manufacturers to produce the belts. My source isn't a website with dead links and references that go nowhere. It is a well-researched and illustrated book that I recommended on this site several months ago.

I assume nothing, one economy measure would be enough to call it an economy belt. This is not economy measure, it's standard production.

This is a pointless argument.

[Aragorn243]

Brace straps came yesterday. The weird thing is, I got two complete sets of them. I thought I was getting one and was happy because the pair cost less than buying one from England and that was before the shipping.

They can be used in a variety of ways but this is one used early in the war when traveling. This is the large pack. They did not do this later in the war as transportation by trucks became more common. They just threw everything in the trucks.

Bren magazines are due to arrive tomorrow.

One thing I didn't comment on that I am really impressed with this set up is the Bren pouches. I did not realize that everyone carried two of these with four magazines in them for the Bren gunners. Seems a very effective way to carry a lot of ammo into the field.

Created a question, however. What happened to all the spent magazines? Was it practice to police them up during the battle, after the battle or did they just get left behind? I can't imagine them policeing them up during a battle but if they were on the offensive or defensive and moving, I assume a lot were left behind.

[browningautorifle]

I assume a lot were left behind.

Only in peacetime are we anal about that sort of thing, generally. Yes everyone carried two and doubled past the Bren position dropping off the mags and then on to the attack position. Since more were available later there was no worry at that time Follow up troops policed the area they might be reclaimed then.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very nice set. I believe I remember you posting a cooler Swiss mountain troop pack set some years back. Been looking for one ever sense. You have me wanting to dig my pattern 37 stuff out and stuff it with bubble wrap.

[Aragorn243]

The bubble wrap does a nice job for display. This pack however is not quite full enough of it to do the helmet justice. The weight squishes it just a bit. I have made up my mind to save all the packing materials and plastic bags I get from now on to fill these things up. They look so much better not all crushed and smashed.

I have not seen a Swiss pack like that one in a long time. But then I haven't been actively looking either. eBay is your most likely friend.

[Aragorn243]

The Bren magazines arrived today along with the bracing extensions and the second set of L straps. I realized I am still missing the L strap buckles, forgot about them so ordered them tonight.

The Bren magazines are covered with cosmoline so it will be a while until I can get them in the pouches.

One is a WWII magazine, 1942, the other three have no dates. All are marked with the broad arrow. I need to research them a bit to see what I have. I also have to figure out how to get them apart to clean the grease out of the insides.

[browningautorifle]

how to get them apart

Bottom slides off and the springs will come out...You'll see.

[Aragorn243]

Not quite. I did mess with one. Slide it back till it hit the half moons and then it stopped. I have since read you have to tip it somehow at this point which I did not do. Do I tip the bottom plate, it seemed very tight still at this point. Or do I tip the inside somehow?