Post-war,there was some use of the Lee-enfield rifles by Italy.....did the Italians simply use British pattern webbing/cartridge pouches or did they use webbing of their own design?.
caerlonie
I have seen 3-pocket pouches attributed to Italy, but I can't say I know about web belts, braces & such.
Surely some member does!
Surely some member does!
It appears that Post War the Italians used both WW2 British Pattern 37 webbing and their own heavily copied versions.
There are some good examples of both British Pattern 37 webbing and Italian made Pattern 37 style webbing and cartridge pouches being used together in the photos on this site:
https://iacmc.forumotion.com/t10514-italian-pattern-37-web-gear
I have a pair of Italian Beretta BM-59 ammo pouches that are also supposed to take M14, FN FAL and G3 mags. The tab closure is more like that used on the Pattern 44 pouches. Inside dimensions are about 17cm high x 11cm wide x 5cm deep and the pouch has internal dividers.
I also have this Italian made direct copy of the British Pattern 37 basic pouch that uses a leather buckle to secure the
flap. It measures approximately 24cm high x 11cm wide x 5cm deep. Both are made with very high quality webbing and are well put together.
The Italian made webbing interchanges seamlessly with the original British.
The photos are from the websites from where i purchased the pouches.
There are some good examples of both British Pattern 37 webbing and Italian made Pattern 37 style webbing and cartridge pouches being used together in the photos on this site:
https://iacmc.forumotion.com/t10514-italian-pattern-37-web-gear
I have a pair of Italian Beretta BM-59 ammo pouches that are also supposed to take M14, FN FAL and G3 mags. The tab closure is more like that used on the Pattern 44 pouches. Inside dimensions are about 17cm high x 11cm wide x 5cm deep and the pouch has internal dividers.
I also have this Italian made direct copy of the British Pattern 37 basic pouch that uses a leather buckle to secure the
flap. It measures approximately 24cm high x 11cm wide x 5cm deep. Both are made with very high quality webbing and are well put together.
The Italian made webbing interchanges seamlessly with the original British.
The photos are from the websites from where i purchased the pouches.
Attachments
Italy has a long history of using Webbing. The Regia Marina bought Mills Patt.1906 webbing
back in 1907, for its Fanti di Marina ( "Marines") and Armed Landing Parties.
This continued thru WWII.
Initial lots were made in Britain, later lots woven and assembled in Italy ( Venice Naval Arsenal)
After WWII, with Britain partially re-equipping the Italian Army with SMLE and Patt.37 webbing, Italy used its experience with Mills type weave and assembly to make their own, with variations as seen.
Btw, the 1906 Mills equipment was very similar to the 1923 RAF pattern, and the later 1937 pattern...only the 1906 used 3- clip ammo pouches ( like the Non-Infantry P.37 types -- two pocket unit each side.)
As an aside, the RM also used a canvas sling for their TS short rifles, also a Mills design.Leather didn't last at sea or in the tropics.
Doc AV.
back in 1907, for its Fanti di Marina ( "Marines") and Armed Landing Parties.
This continued thru WWII.
Initial lots were made in Britain, later lots woven and assembled in Italy ( Venice Naval Arsenal)
After WWII, with Britain partially re-equipping the Italian Army with SMLE and Patt.37 webbing, Italy used its experience with Mills type weave and assembly to make their own, with variations as seen.
Btw, the 1906 Mills equipment was very similar to the 1923 RAF pattern, and the later 1937 pattern...only the 1906 used 3- clip ammo pouches ( like the Non-Infantry P.37 types -- two pocket unit each side.)
As an aside, the RM also used a canvas sling for their TS short rifles, also a Mills design.Leather didn't last at sea or in the tropics.
Doc AV.
I just asked as a local military surplus shop has some they say are ex-Italian....but they have a broad arrow stamped on the inside so I guess these ones are not actually Italian made but supplied by the British....https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/c...oors.co.nz/collections/magazine-pouches/products/italian-army-triple-ammo-pouch
Here are some Italy made belt for the Lee-Enfield. Obviously post WWII. (1946-1947 I think, however they could be made in the 1960s).
https://www.ebay.it/itm/ENFIELD-Cinghia-Italiana-ww2-2GM-cd-31D1-/201671112831
https://www.ebay.it/itm/ENFIELD-Cinghia-Italiana-ww2-2GM-cd-31D1-/201671112831
Well I was over in that part of town today so went in and got one....lightly used condition I would say.They had gotten a small batch of around 100 but only had 2 left in stock.
I had a set of webbing that looked like a British 37 pattern, with the same type belt, and two pouches with suspenders. On the back were three pouches with the leather belt closure as seen in the third photo, all attached to each other. It was sold as a "Bren Gun" web set, which could be true. The gunner would be behind the Bren gun and the assistant gunner would reach over and take the magazines out of the three pouches on the back of the belt. No markings but was pretty well thought it was also Italian manufactured. John
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