Equipment

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Battle Dress Serge 1940 Pattern

Battle Dress 1940 Pattern.
High quality reproduction from a firm in Czech republic.


HELIOGRAPH 


HELIO Mk. V


Helio 5 Mk.V


Helio 5 Mk.V


Helio 5 Mk.V


Helio 5 Mk.V





Bren Brush

PANNIER


PANNIER


PANNIER


PANNIER

VEIL


Veil

Case for the Vickers MG rule slide.




Anklets 1939

Anklets from 1939, probably spoils of war from Dunkerque as there is a
Axis stamp with the eagle and the letters L and S.



Rifle Bag


This Rifle bag is original in that way that it had not been added whit a shoulder strap.
As it was common to add a shoulder strap.



Gallilean Binoculars.

WW2 Gallilean binoculars issued in small numbers prior to D day to
British airborne forces. Designed to be robust yet compact, the large
50mm lenses are very good in low light and focus down to a few feet
whit a wide angled of view of 10 degrees that was ideal for airborne
and commando units that were used as shock troops to "get in close".
There is a classic WW2 photo of Major General "Boy" Browning of
the British airborne forces wearing a set of these.


Gallilean Binoculars.

 This set bears the correct stores reference for Airborne Binos on the top 
bridge "VF 2506". The top bridge is also stamped with a broad arrow and 
the low serial no 5873 (production went into 5 digits) and stores number 
VF2506. 



Gallilean Binoculars.




Interior of the bag.


British Airborne Webbing Drop Bag for 15 Sten Magazines. Strapped to the
leg as the Parachutist left the aircraft, the pocket on the side of the bag held a
lowering line which allowed the bag to be lowered during descent, hanging below
and hitting the ground ahead of the Parachutist thus avoiding injury.


Outside.



Backside.


 British Airborne Webbing Drop Bag for the 2" Mortar. Designed purely for
Airborne Operations, these bags were intended to accommodate 6 Mortar Bombs
for the British 2" Mortar. Strapped to the leg as the Parachutist left the aircraft, the
pocket on the side of the bag held a lowering line which allowed the bag to be
lowered during descent, hanging below and hitting the ground ahead of the
Parachutist thus avoiding injury.





Wallet for cleaning equipment to 2" Mortar.
This variant is Canadian.



2" Mortar wallet.




WS 38 Radio

This is a portable radio WS 38 (Wireless Set-38) whit
Battery bag, Signalers satchel bag No 2, Junction Box, Headphones,
Throat Mices.

We have two operational set´s in our club.


Spare barrel bag

The bag carries the spare barrel. Small externnal pockets hold various cleaning heads 
for the rod, a bottle of graphited grease and a plastic bottle of cold weather oil.
The largest external pocket holds the spare part wallet. This contains an oil
bottle, barrel pull through with double loop, a combination toll, and the spare
parts tin whit fouling tool, cleaning gauzes, springs and other replaceable parts.


Spare part wallet





Light weight respirator and bag.


Browning holster and ammo pouch.
courtesy of Jan Brouwer


Browning FN Highpower pistol holster and ammo pouch as used by British and
Candian troops especially Airborne and Commando units.



Holster and Flare gun.
courtesy of Jan Brouwer


Flare gun holster with a British Molins No 1 Mk V (short) signal pistol by Berridge Ltd.



Map case
courtesy of Jan Brouwer


Commando and Airborne light map case (late model).


Map case
courtesy of Jan Brouwer


Fairbairn Sykes Fighting knifes.
courtesy of Jan Brouwer

The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting knife, also known as commando knife or dagger,
originally was designed in november 1940 for Commando units. Many men serving
in other elite units like the SAS, SOE and Parachute and Airborne units were issued
with this very popular fighting knife. Though many variations exist there were three
basic models or patterns.From left to right you can see a first pattern, two second
patterns (one blued and one bright blade) and a third pattern. The design was
changed throughout the war to make mass-production easier. The knifes in this picture
 all are of Wilkinson Sword manufacture.
Apart from the first pattern, which was made by Wilkinson only, many other
manufacturers produced the 2nd and 3rd pattern knives.


Fairbairn Sykes Fighting knife sheathe.
courtesy of Jan Brouwer



Stem-mag Bandoleer
Very few are dated 1942, with 1944 the most common date seen by collectors.

The first pattern bandoleer was manufactured of a lighter webbing than the more
commonly seen 2nd pattern bandoleer. the 1st pattern uniquely fetured a larg single
flap that secured the individual magazines and was first issued in 1941. The 2nd
Pattern was manufactured as early as 1942 of the standard weight P 37 webbing and
featured individual closing magazine pockets that were each secured by tongue and
a metal loop. Each bandoleer held seven magazines of 28 rounds.



Satchel Signals.

A Signalers side pack.



Bergen Rucksack
Left view.
Some Glider Infantery units used the Bergen Rucksack in Arnhem.


Bergen Rucksack
Rear view.


Bergen Rucksack
Right view.


Ammo Carrying Pack
Right view.

There are two variants of this, the one you see here
and the secondary version have two pockets.


Ammo Carrying Pack
Rear view.


Ammo Carrying Pack
Left view

Anklets rear view

Three variants of  web anklets which have leather straps, web straps and
web straps whit brass fittings. Most common are those with web web straps.
Note the stamping, manufacturer, date, broad arrow and size.
There are four sizes.

Anklets front view
Compass
Carried by officers, nco and spesialists. Padded whit felt to protect the compass.
Left a MK II compass to the right a Prismatic compass.
Note the stamping on the compass pouch it is a Canadian manufactured.

Binoculars
The binoculars canvas case is reinforced on all four sides and thickly padded on
the bottom for the protection of the binoculars. Note the web strap,
as leather would rot in the field
 
Binoculars and Case
String vest
Loosely knitted of tightly woven string and designed to be worn either
under the shirt and against the skin or over the shirt to keep dry and either
warm and or cool-thus maintaining body temperature.

There are two patterns.

The first is whit out a cloth gathered shoulder band. This is
known as the "Escape" pattern as it could
be unraveld into a long cord since it was all just one piece.
A second pattern with a gathered shoulder which was more confortable to wear.


Entrenching Tool

This was the solders personal entrenchin tool.
Here you see two variants on the webing and all so there where two variants
on the wooden helve. The first was a solid piece of wood. The seconde
variant featured a bayonet lug for the spike bayonet.
The second pattern was used for mine probing and even as a weapen in
desperate situasions. 

Envelope Carrier

Canadian and British Holster

Canadian and British holster designed to carry the .38in service revolver
Note the stamping on the holster below.

Inside the holster


Tank Holster


This webbing was a favorite among the recce and "Old Salt´s", and was
issued in the early years of the war, and later cut and modified, as the long
"gun fighter" leg strap became obsolete.

Officers Valise

The officers valise featured two large and two small internal compartments.
A shoulder strap was attached to each side by brass buckle.

Inside the Valise


Frogs

From top to bottom.
Early frog whit tab securing.
Frogwith hole cut in upper loop.
Late frog for Airborne, missing case plate
retainer for the loading tool.


From Top
 Mk I cruciform with steel scabbard
 Mk II with plastic scabbard
Mk II with steel scabbard

Bayonet No.4 manufactured to accompany the No.4 Mk I rifle and Mk V Sten.
Its blade was 8" in length and 10" in its scabbard. There were four variants
Mk I with cruciform section blade, Mk II whit round spike and one piece blade,
seconde pattern of Mk II was two piece construction and the Mk III whit a
rougher fabricated and welded socket.
M.C. Mk I made specially for the Mk II sten its blade was 8" and whit its
scabberd it was12".
This is a very rare pice as few were manufactured.

Brace Attachmens

Designed so that the wearer could wear his webbing whihout the use of basic pouches.
Two variants of brace attachments, the uper is British and the lower is Canadian.

Cross Straps
Two variants of Cross straps uper Canadian padded and British whit the extra loop.
Same on the lower picture. Note the variation in the cross straps.
Observe the gold-like color of the Canadian webbing.

Cross Straps


Water bottle
There are two variants, the moste common and preferred, was the skeleton cradel.
The second one is the sleeve cradel. The left one is a gift from a very nice Gentelman
by the name James Clowes. The far right is a Canadien variant.


Haversack

Issued to and carried by both the para and glidertroops. As these soldiers
were designed to be "shock" troops. The contents of the haversack was limited
and condensed for mobility´s sake. They were designed to be worn and carried
on the back, though there was they how carried them to their side attached
to the web braces.


Large Pack

Used by signals, RAMC and the parachute squadron engineers, which were marked
" E " for engineers. These were used to carry special equipment and or supplies, and
not personal items as the line infantery would carry in theres.



Shell Dressings

Carried by strecher bearers, aidmen and orderlies. This was a simple bag whit
no internal pockets and built-in adjustable shoulder strap. In the foreground
you can see stretcher bearers webbing sling, RAMC scissors and
Red Cross armband.



Bren Aux pouches

The aux. pouches were deeper and larger than the Mk III pouches and were able to
carry three Bren magazines in each. The pouches were joined by a web yoke which
was worn around the shoulders and neck. The yoke could be detached and the
pouches then attaced to the Bergen Rucksack providing it had the special web straps
added to its leather shoulder straps.



Bandoleer
Picture showing front and rear view.
Designed to hold 50 rounds of 303 British ammunition on stripper clips.
As man can see there is re-issued dating.


Ammo Boots

British world war two Ammo Boots. This pair is a reproduction, they are hand stitched.
They are ordered and manufactured in England. They are very good.