Pattern 1940 Cavalry Web Equipment

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Pattern 1940 Cavalry Web Equipment - Belts, Braces and Straps

The Web Equipment, Cavalry Patt. '40 was entered into the List of Changes by List of Changes entry LoC B9033, dated 16th February 1944. I am not sure exactly when W.E. cavalry Patt. '40 was put into service, but probably no later than 1941. The pattern was not entered into the List of Changes, however, until 1944, when the Pouches, basic, W.E. cavalry Patt. '40 were added to the Pattern. While this delayed entry into the LoC is unusual, it is not unique. Quite a few items didn't appear in the LoC until years after they entered use, and some, including Web Equipment, Pattern 1944, never were entered into the List at all.

Strap, back adjustment, W.E. Patt. '40

The Strap, back adjustment, W.E. Patt. '40, was introduced with the Web Equipment, Cavalry Patt. '40 by List of Changes entry LoC B9033, dated 16th February 1944 as Stores Ref. A1/AA 5302. The Strap is 2 1/4-inches wide, and is similar in design to the Back adjustment straps used by other web equipments that use the Mills three part belt. However, the Back adjustment strap for W.E. Patt. '40 is several inches longer than the ones used in Patt. '19 and Patt. '25. The other difference between this and the Back adjustment straps for earlier patterns is the keyway fittings that extend downward from the back tabs. The keyway fitting on the right attaches to the stud on the bottom of the Haversack, and the one on the left attaches to the similar stud on the Water bottle carrier. This example is maker marked "M.E. Co." and dated 1940.

A detail of the rear tabs, showing the keyway fittings.

An interesting example of a sealed Working Pattern of the Strap, back adjustment, W.E. Patt. '40. Maker marked "M.E. Co." and dated 1940. From the Steve Hewitt Collection. Photographs © Steve Hewitt 2008.

Braces, W.E. Patt. '40

The Braces, W.E. Patt. '40, were introduced with the Web Equipment, Cavalry Patt. '40 by List of Changes entry LoC B9033, dated 16th February 1944 as Stores Ref. A1/AA 5295. They are identical to the Braces used for Patt. '19, Patt. '25, and first issue Patt. '37, except that they have no crossover strap, and have two transverse web loops sewn across the wide portion of the Brace. In W.E. Patt. '40, both Braces have transverse loops. This design element is indicative of Double Sliding Strap designs. One of these loops is at the rear of the wide portion, while the other is in the center. The Straps with keyway fitting pass over the Brace and through these loops to connect to the Cartridge carriers in the front and the Water bottle carrier and Haversack in the back. The Braces, W.E. Patt. '40 are practically unavailable on the collector's market. The padding shown on the inside of the brace is a non-standard user modification. This pair is maker marked "M.E. Co." and dated 1940. From the Richard Marshall Collection. Photographs © Richard Marshall 2008.

This picture shows the Braces in place, viewed from the rear. Notice how the Braces are passed through the Brass fitting, crossed, passed through the buckles on the Back adjustment strap, and finally through the slots on the keyway fittings.

Fitting, brass, W.E. Patt. '40

The Fitting, brass, W.E. Patt. '40, was introduced with the Web Equipment, Cavalry Patt. '40 by List of Changes entry LoC B9033, dated 16th February 1944 as Stores Ref. A1/AA 5299. This Fitting sits in the small of the back, where the rear extensions of the Braces are threaded through it to hold them in place. This example is unmarked and undated, but it is part of a set of W.E. Patt. '40 in which every piece of webbing is maker marked "M.E. Co." and dated 1940.

This photo was taken at a museum on England. It is in a display of a partial set of the Mills 1928 Artillery Battery Staff Equipment, which first introduced this version of the Fitting, brass. The patent for the Battery Staff Equipment, No. 111,136, acceptance date 9th May, 1929, refers to the Fitting, brass, as a Bridge piece.

W.E. Patt. '40 was the last British Web Equipment to use the Fitting, brass, but the idea didn't die. This variation was used in the home grown Danish Model 1945 (U.K. Pattern 1937). It is made of aluminium and painted forest green.

Straps, with keyway fitting, W.E. Patt. '40

The Straps, with keyway fitting, W.E. Patt. '40, were introduced with the Web Equipment, Cavalry Patt. '40 by List of Changes entry LoC B9033, dated 16th February 1944 as Stores Ref. A1/AA 5301.In use, the keyway fittings mate to the stud on the top buckle of the Cartridge carriers. The Straps pass through the loops on the Braces, through the Brass fitting, and attach to the Water bottle carrier (left side) and the Haversack (right side). In order to access the Water bottle or Haversack, one first releases the keyway fitting on the Back adjustment strap from the bottom of the item, then releases the keyway fitting from the stud on the matching Cartridge carrier. When the Strap is released, it will be pulled up to the central loop across the Brace. This allows the user to pull the article around his body and reach it. To return the article to its carry location, the process is reversed. This pair is maker marked "M.E. Co." and dated 1940.