Vintage leather ammo belt, British ?

J

jakerazer

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Hey Guys
Maybe you can help me out? I found this old leather ammo belt. The only ID is DLW(broad arrow)42 punched into the leather near the buckle. Does anybody know what this is? I searched around the net but I could not find anything. Is it worth anything?Value?

thanks so much

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Cavalry bandolier for .303 ammo, held 50 rounds.

They were in use by the Canadian Army/Militia until the end of horse cavalry, which pretty much means the beginning of the Second Big One. There were mounted Cavalry units active in Summer training at Camp Hughes after 1935. When the Second War came about, it was recofnised (at last) that horse cavalry would not be much of an asset, so Cav regiments were converted over either to Infantry (practically an INSULT to a Cavalryman!) or to Armoured (ince some Tanks were bought/built.

At that time, they were put into storage and some were released in the 1960s. Whee the REST went is anyone's guess.
 
Its a pattern 1903 bandolier, part of the 1903 bandolier equipment. They came in 50,90 and 100 round sizes. It was a common piece of equipment with the Canadian militia in the inter war years. Heres a link to a site that explains the kit in more detail. http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/1903/components/1903_bandoliers.html

And heres two news paper clipping showing members of the 73rd (Magog) battery Non permanent Militia wearing 1903 bandoilers.
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73rdbatteryMagog3_zps3a94ac10.jpg
 
The 5 pocket pattern 1903 bandoleer was issued to dismounted troops i.e. infantry until the issue of P-1908 web gear. After the P-1908 web gear came out the 5 pocket bandoleer was issued to non-cavalry mounted troops, i.e. wagon drivers, horse drawn artillery etc. Cavalry troops were issued a 9 pocket (5 in front, 4 in back) bandoleer. In 1915 authorization was given to the cavalry for an additional 9 pocket bandoleer to be carried around the horse's neck. It was not a special piece of equipment, it was the same as the one the rider wore. There was also a 10 pocket bandoleer that was part of one of the uniquely Canadian sets of gear. I'm not conversant enough with the special Canadian sets to say which one. The P-1903 5 pocket bandoleer was indeed made into the early years of the war.
 
As for value, it's not worth anything, and I am sure there are lots of nice folks on the forum who would be kind enough to dispose of it for you.:evil:

I have several, ranging from individual loops for each round to ones holding 5 round chargers.

Seriously, HANG ON TO IT! thats a bit of history.
 
I picked it up at a garage sale with two nice 1911 mags for 30 bucks. Since I don't have a 45 or a 303 i guess i will move them along. It is very cool though. Sometimes garage sales are sooo cool. On the same day I found a US burial flag still folded in the triangle and a US AR mag pouch for 5 bucks!!
A red letter day!
 
John Sukey said:
As for value, it's not worth anything, and I am sure there are lots of nice folks on the forum who would be kind enough to dispose of it for you.:evil:

I have several, ranging from individual loops for each round to ones holding 5 round chargers.

Seriously, HANG ON TO IT! thats a bit of history.
Click to expand...

Hi John..

I'm the guy who sold you an original mint unissued set of No4T leather caps back in 2003! I never heard back from you that I recall.

To the original poster.. I sold 2 of those 5 pocket versions in nice original condition on eBay 4 years ago for about $60 US apiece. I believe they are worth more now. (There is a company in India that makes excellent 5 and 10 pocket repros selling for a very reasonable price.) Hang onto it if you can. I regret having sold mine. I'll have to make due with my repros.
 
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