Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) - Equipment carriers
Bayonet frog
The Bayonet frog for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) is a copy of the W.E. Patt. '08 Bayonet frog reproduced in leather. As with most components of this equipment, there are two main variations. This first issue Frog has a plain leather strap on the rear for attaching the first issue Helve holder. It is maker marked "GEO. PIZZEY & SONS LTD. FITZROY " and dated 1915. It also has "CMF SA" (Commonwealth Military Forces - South Australia) issue marks. From the Grant Napier Collection, photographs © Grant Napier 2008.
The second issue Frog has holes in the strap in order to fit the tongued buckle of the second issue Helve holder. This second issue example is maker marked "C.G.H.F." (Commonwealth Government Harness Factory), and is undated. From the Karkee Web Collection.
The Helve holder for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) is a copy of the W.E. Patt. '08 Helve holder reproduced in leather. As with most components of this equipment, there are two main variations. The first issue has a standard Twigg buckle, while the second issue has the tongued variety. This example is a second issue. It is marked "CMF SA" (Commonwealth Military Forces - South Australia) and is undated. From the Grant Napier Collection, photographs © Grant Napier 2008.
The Entrenching tool carrier for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) is a copy of the W.E. Patt. '08 Entrenching tool carrier reproduced in leather. This example has not only plain Twigg buckles but also the stud fastener for the securing strap, which according to Karkee Web's current ideas on Australian Pattern Equipment, would indicate that it is the earlier variation, compared with the versions shown below, both of which have spigot and crown snap fasteners. It is maker marked "Holden & Frost" and dated 1916. It is also marked "CMF/ SA" (Commonwealth Military Forces - South Australia). This example from the Bill Lennell collection, © Bill Lennell 2009.
This example has the the spigot and crown snap fastener used on the later issue Carrier. It also has the plain Twigg buckles noted on early production. On that basis, Karkee Web is listing this type as the second issue, although of course that is quite tentative at this time. It is also worth noting that this type seems to be by far the most common variation encountered. This Carrier is maker marked "BONNEY / MAKER / BRISBANE" and dated 1916. From the Karkee Web Collection.
The third issue Entrenching tool carrier for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) has both the spigot and crown snap fastener and tongued buckles. This is the first example of this type noted by Karkee Web. It is marked "AUSTRALIA" and maker marked "C.G.H.F.", but is undated. From the Grant Napier Collection, photographs © Grant Napier 2009.
Water bottle carrier, first issue ["old pattern"]
The Water bottle carrier for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) is a copy of the W.E. Patt. '08 Water bottle carrier reproduced in leather. This example has tongueless buckles and a sliding rear strap similar to that of the of the Patt. '08 second issue Carrier. Veteran Australian KWRT Graham Tweeddale reports that NAA file Test of infantry Equipment Leather, Series MP 367/1 Control Symbol 402/7/13, contains a reference to two types of Water bottle carriers: "the 'new pattern” with the fixed back strap & the 'old pattern' which the water bottle was prone to fall out of". The reference to the fixed back strap on the "new pattern" suggests that this version, with the sliding rear strap, is the first issue. This type would mate with the connections on the early A.L.I.E. Haversacks, allowing it to be carried directly on the Haversack. This example is not maker marked nor dated. From the Brian Burns Collection, photographs © Brian Burns 2013.
Water bottle carrier, second issue ["new pattern"]
This example of the Water bottle carrier has tongued buckles and a fixed back strap, which identify it as second issue. It also has a stud to fix the top strap - which raises the possibility that there is another variation with a crown fastener instead. This leather Carrier corresponds to the Patt. '08 third issue Carrier. You'll note that the strap that goes over the bottle is bit short - the leather has shrunk a bit over the last 90+ years. It is maker marked "EC" but is undated. From the Karkee Web Collection.
The Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) Pistol case is designed to carry the large frame Webley Mark VI revolver. It is especially interesting, because it seems to be the only item that might be termed Australian Pattern Officer's Equipment. One would expect there to be a matching Pistol ammunition pouch, but none have been reported. The design is interesting as well. Most components of the Australian Pattern (Leather) Infantry Equipment are close copies of the corresponding W.E. Patt. '08 designs, but this Pistol case is a design improvement compared to the original. Unlike the Case, pistol, Webley, with brass hooks, this Case incorporates a short buckled chape on the rear, and thus does not require a Brace attachment. From the Grant Napier Collection, photographs © Grant Napier 2008.
A detail of the Pistol case showing the "C.G.H.F. / AUSTRALIA" maker's mark. The Case is undated.
