Stores Ref. CN 0030 POUCH, AMMUNITION, MK. 1, LEFT

This code was re-used, having once been Bagpipes, Irish. The first issue Ammunition pouches are difficult to understand. It is as though all prior “folk-knowledge” was either discarded, or had been forgotten! With Patt. ’37, it was quickly realised that the Mark I Pouches were interfering with leg movement. They were therefore raised by 1-inch. With Patt. ’58, the top of the Pouch was level with the upper edge of the Belt – far lower than Patt. ’37. Not only that, but the Pouch hung vertically down, where some of the rejected designs had had angled Pouches. This is at the same time that the Army was adopting the Alvis FV 601 Saracen Armoured Personnel Carrier. This carried 10 seated personnel into battle – seated with straight Pouches having to be pushed to the side, in order not to dig into the thighs. They were to be worn more to the sides than Patt. ’37 and the tensioning straps from the Cape carrier pulled the Pouches back, but why not the flying start that was eventually introduced with the third Issues? This example from the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

The Pouches themselves were rather elegant and slim-line, with their box lids having stylish curved sides, fully stiffened and closed with Q.R. buckles, the insertion tabs being stiffened with spring steel. This was an improvement first suggested after the Palestine trials of Patt. ’44 which - in the event - never had its Q.R. fasteners modified. Inside, a “cigarette pull” strap was secured to the front wall, attaching to a buckle on the underside of the lid. At this time, the Army were in the process of changing to the 7.62 mm. Fabrique National Self Loading Rifle. The strap could then be adjusted, such that the magazines were raised level with the top of the Pouch, as the lid was opened. As with Patt. ’44, the outer side wall carried upper and lower loops, in which the FN bayonet was carried, the top loop having a woven-in slit for the scabbard stud. At the top of the rear face, a metal loop provided an attachment point for the front straps of the Yoke. The lower bayonet scabbard loop was extended rearwards and doubled to carry a second identical metal loop. The upper rear face carried a pair of “C” clips for attachment to the Belt.

 

Stores Ref. CN 8465-99-973-6221 POUCH, AMMUNITION (Modified), LEFT [Issue 2]

The “modified” Pouch was of the same capacity, but the curved front edge of the box-lid was made more square, the stiffening in the sides of the lid were deleted and the sides themselves abbreviated to triangular shapes. This rather decreased their weather-proofing qualities. The “C” clips for attachment to the Belt remained in their original orientation. Although catalogued as either left-, or right-hand, they were not “handed” as such and could be interchanged. This example from the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

 

 

 

Stores Ref. CN 8465-99-973-6990 POUCH, AMMUNITION, Large, LEFT [Issue 3]

The penny seems finally to have dropped and these Pouches were made with an angled patch carrying the “C” clips, which was stitched-on slightly lower down the rear wall.. The yoke loop was also stitched-on at an angle, the combination of these two changes throwing the Pouch to the rear. The capacity of the Pouch was greatly increased, increased in height by approximately 0.5-inch and with an increased front-to-back dimension, which meant they stood out further from the wearer’s body. The box-lid was correspondingly larger, with sides slightly increased in area, being deeper at the rear vertical edge. The angled “C” clips now made the Pouches truly “handed” and there being a greater cross-sectional area for the hand to reach inside the Pouch, the “cigarette pull” strap was deleted, although one example is known with this strap fitted. This example from the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

 

This late production example of 1988 has prominent, contrasting stitching and has its QR tab stitched higher up the flap, exposing the staple chape, which is normally hidden by the inserted tab. From the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

 

 

 

This example has the Scabbard, No. 5 fitted in the loops, in which is an L1A3 Bayonet for the S.L. R.. From the Terry Hawker Collection. Photographs © Terry Hawker, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

Stores Ref. CN 8465-99-973-6990 POUCH, AMMUNITION, Large, LEFT [Issue 4]

Very un-helpfully, this final version had the same code as the 3rd Issue, but were manufactured without the bayonet loops, but the reasons are unknown. The O.D. Frog No. 6 appeared by 1976 and by 1989 P.L.C.E. Patt. ’90 was in service, along with the SA 80 Rifle. This 4th Issue also appeared around 1989. The dates seem too far apart for there to be any connection and the SA 80 Bayonet scabbard would not fit the No. 6 Frog anyway. From the Jim Harriss Collection. Photographs © Jim Harris, 2012.

 

 

 

 

Stores Ref. CN 0031 POUCH, AMMUNITION, MK. 1, RIGHT

This was the second, re-used V.A.O.S code, having formerly been Bagpipes, Scottish. Otherwise identical to the left-hand Pouch, this substituted a long pocket for the scabbard loops, on the opposite outer side wall. Closed off by a small box-lid, it was fastened by a turn-button – a component being used here for the first time, though it would later be used on the side-pockets of the 2nd Issue of Patt. ’44 Haversacks. The pocket was intended to carry the launcher attachment for Energa rifle grenades. In later years, it was more often used to store the mess-irons! This example from the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

 

 

 

Stores Ref. CN 8465-99-973-6222 POUCH, AMMUNITION, (Modified), RIGHT [Issue 2]

As with the first issue, the Pouch simply exchanged scabbard loops for the Energa launcher pocket. Both modified Pouches still hung vertically and both had the “cigarette pull” straps.  This example from the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

 

 

 

 

Stores Ref. CN 8465-99-973-6991 POUCH, AMMUNITION, Large, RIGHT [Issue 3]

The “handed” pair to the left-hand Pouch was still fitted with the Energa launcher pocket, although other weapons had long-since been introduced, to cope with the requirement to penetrate thicker armour. From the Rog Dennis Collection, photos © Rog Dennis 2012.

 

 

 

 

Stores Ref. CN 8465-99-973-6991 POUCH, AMMUNITION, Large, RIGHT [Issue 4]

The ENERGA Grenade and its launcher attachment had passed out of service, long-since. Finally, this seems to have been realised and around 1989 this 4th Issue appeared, manufactured without the side pocket, in which the launcher had been stowed. From the Jim Harriss Collection. Photographs © Jim Harris, 2012.