En Bloc Clip Belt Or Bandolier?
- Thread starter mmattockx
- Start date
The Wizard
CGN Regular
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado USA
Original M1923 Cartridge Belt in serviceable condition can bring easily US$100. If World War 2 (WW2) vintage even more. As for bandoleers, since they were consider throw away WW2 one are rare. But Fred's Stocks (http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/catalog/acc.asp) has late vintage M1 bandoleer kits. A number of places advertise reproduction cartridge belt (What Price Glory, At The Front,
Cheaper Than Dirt (which they aren't), Sportsman's Guide). The quality of these reproductions is, well let us just say they ain't the original.
Cheaper Than Dirt (which they aren't), Sportsman's Guide). The quality of these reproductions is, well let us just say they ain't the original.
Like The Wizard says, original W.W. II vintage M1 ammo belts(tan coloured) are expensive and not easy to find. However, there are all kinds of very serviceable reproductions around. Each one holds 10 clips. Same belt was used for the 1903 and its assorted models. Still not exactly inexpensive.
Marstar has 'em at $44.95 each. http://www.marstar.ca/ac-Bandoleers/index.shtm
There are green, post-war, ammo belts that don't cost as much too. Gunparts lists 'em with nylon buckles at $24.60US. $27US for a tan reproduction with metal buckles.
Bayonets aren't cheap any more either, but you really need one of the three types that fit.
Bought all 3 of mine(green) at guns shows, long ago.
Marstar has 'em at $44.95 each. http://www.marstar.ca/ac-Bandoleers/index.shtm
There are green, post-war, ammo belts that don't cost as much too. Gunparts lists 'em with nylon buckles at $24.60US. $27US for a tan reproduction with metal buckles.
Bayonets aren't cheap any more either, but you really need one of the three types that fit.
Bought all 3 of mine(green) at guns shows, long ago.
I am not looking for an original belt, just a decent repro for carrying loaded clips to the range. I will take a look at the sites mentioned and see what I can find. By chance, I ran across the Marstar belts this morning after I posted this thread, go figure.
Thanks for the help,
Mark
Thanks for the help,
Mark
The Wizard
CGN Regular
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado USA
Try EvilBay. Search for M1 cartridge belt. I saw some on there reportly late vintage orginials.
What's wrong with just loading your clips and tossing them into a gen-yew-wine .30-calibre steel ammo box as used on our old Brownings? Ten bucks at Princess Auto. Not as macho, but just as period.
Check around gun shows. There was a big batch of .30-'06 (allright, John, .30 Ball M2) came in (supposedly from 'Nam) several years ago, Lake City 1969 stuff. It all was packed in bandoleers, 8 clips to a bandoleer. The ammo all got shot off, most of the clips were salvaged, some of the brass and bandoleers shows up from time to time, not terribly expensive at all. Good brass, too.
Check around gun shows. There was a big batch of .30-'06 (allright, John, .30 Ball M2) came in (supposedly from 'Nam) several years ago, Lake City 1969 stuff. It all was packed in bandoleers, 8 clips to a bandoleer. The ammo all got shot off, most of the clips were salvaged, some of the brass and bandoleers shows up from time to time, not terribly expensive at all. Good brass, too.
- Location
- Alliance, Alberta, Canada
If you are looking for period correct stuff you can get a high quality M1923 Cartridge belt from www.atthefront.com. Of course if you go that route you'll also need a set of suspenders, which is kinda useless unless you collect alot of militaria (I bought a full paratrooper impression from there not long ago and love it.)
They also have bandoleers made in the USA (so you know they aren't crap from a sweatshop in China.)
My bandoleer is coming from a site called www.toppots.net. I ordered some burlap helmet scrim but it never came, so the guy is resending my order and throwing one of these puppies in. Not sure of the quality yet, but it should be good.
If you aren't into wearing an entire impression while shooting (I am ;P) it'd probably be best to go with something like what john@ posted.
They also have bandoleers made in the USA (so you know they aren't crap from a sweatshop in China.)
My bandoleer is coming from a site called www.toppots.net. I ordered some burlap helmet scrim but it never came, so the guy is resending my order and throwing one of these puppies in. Not sure of the quality yet, but it should be good.
If you aren't into wearing an entire impression while shooting (I am ;P) it'd probably be best to go with something like what john@ posted.
I get mine from work, the current British ones that are dug out of the garbage do not look like the ones that were in use during WW2 but they work for WW2 re-enactor matches where there is a bit of flexibility in the kit used. At least nobody mentioned it during the last 2 matches I shot!!
