1944 No.4 Mk1* Longbranch Correct Ammo Pouches & Cleaning Kit

[Slug870]

Evening all,

I am in the process of acquiring a beautiful, all original and matching ‘44 No.4 MkI* Longbranch w/ bayonet (No.4 MkII Longbranch) and my intent is to have a small display case with a few key pieces in there to match the setup I have for my K98k.

My question is this; do we have any WWII Canadian military kit gurus who can tell me the proper ammo pouches and the correct cleaning kit that was carried by the average Canadian infantry soldier who carried the No.4 MkI* Longbranch rifle? I’m fairly certain that it’s P37 ammo pouches but I see a few different sized pouches under a few different names.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, links would be outstanding!

Thank you.

 

[Robbs]

You want to get one or maybe a pair of 37 pattern basic pouches stamped with Z.L.& T.Ltd (Zephyr Loom and Textile, the manufacturer) and with a C broad arrow. There is also the 37 pattern ammo pouches that are just two smaller ammo pockets with a strap for the braces for non-infantry troops. Each pocket held 2 5 round stripper clips of ammo, also by Z.L.& T.Ltd. You may also want to get a 50 round bandoleer of Canadian manufacture. There are cleaning kit tins. I have only seen British cleaning kit tins. The cleaning kit for most infantry soldiers consisted of a rope pull through, small oil bottle and patches, all stored in the butt stock of the rifle.

 

[tiriaq]

A piece of wire gauze (for emergency use only) was part of the pull through/oil bottle/patches kit.
If you look at period photos, troops will have their utility pouches in front, but no other ammunition pouches. Those utility pouches could each carry a couple of Bren magazines or several Sten mags. You will see bandoleers being used for rifle ammunition.

 

[Mk VII]

An example (with Thompson magazines in it, in this case)

 

[Mk VII]

Another, with holder in the top for individual rounds (this feature soon dropped in most manufacture). Indian-made.

 

[Slug870]

Thank you all for the replies.

It appears as though the P37 “basic” pouch is also called the “small” pouch or “Bren magazine” pouch. From what I’ve seen and read; same pouch, different name. Whatever the name, I think I’ll grab a couple with a 50 rd bandolier as I’ve seen a few sites mentioning the bandolier was often folded and carried in the pouch.