Enfield web case- What is the pouch for?

Rule 303 said:
A couple of years ago, while doing research on this very topic, it was generally acknowledged that the outside pocket was for a bandolier of .303 ammunition.

Apparently the thinking was that if a soldier was in transit or "changing stations" he should have available his rifle and sufficient ammunition to stage a good defense should that occasion occur.

A cloth bandolier of 60 rounds of .303 ammunition in six pockets of two 5 round chargers in each pocket will fit just perfectly into that outer pocket.
Click to expand...

A bandolier of .303 holds fifty rounds.Try to fold one up and see how that fits.
 
? Why someone would fold a bandoleer and put it into a pouch is one thing, being told by the powers that be that this is what the intended purpose of the pouch is, is a whole other kettle of fish and doesn't make much sense to me. A bandoleer is to be worn slung across the chest. It holds chargers of ammunition. A belt is worn around the waist. It is to hold your pants up. Designing a pouch for a bandoleer is akin to designing a pouch for your belt...would your belt fit the pouch? Just because the answer is yes, doesn't mean that's what it was intended for.
 
Clearly then, there is no absolutely correct answer, or if there is one, it has been lost to the sands of time. My theory was the pouch was the perfect size for a cardboard box of 48 rounds issued ammo, but a bandolier of 50 rounds would also fit the pocket about the same. I was hoping for a contemporary reference, training manual or some such reference that said what it's intended use was. If anybody comes across such a reference, I'd love to see it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom