.303 leather bandolier

joseyclosey · Post by **joseyclosey** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:54 pm

Heres some shots of a British Army leather bandolier i picked up recently.

It is in very good condition and does`nt appear to have seen much service.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... s/belt.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... lipsss.jpg[/pic]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... smleno.jpg[/pic]

Stamped H.G.R.18. manufacturers and date? anyone know?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... s/buck.jpg[/pic]

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:24 pm

All I can say is that it's a 1903 pattern,

1903 pattern equipment was originally designed as an 'all arms' system (altough initially issued to the infantry). The design was short lived as an infantry system, being soon replaced by the far superior 1908 web equipment and was relegated to mounted use only (although much was put back into service in training the "New Army").

With that late a date the piece would have been issued for use by mounted troops, drivers etc (at that date probably the latter, the cavalry having been partially dismounted for trench service).

Any use?

Tom

joseyclosey · Post by **joseyclosey** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:03 pm

Thanks for the info Tom, coincidentally i have just been reading about the cavalry attack at High Wood in 1916 by the 7th Dragoon Guards and the Deccan Horse, in the face of heavy machine gun fire from the Switch Line, unbelievable stuff !!!!

Joe

stripperclip · Post by **stripperclip** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:54 pm

is that for over the shoulder wear Joe?

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:45 am

The bandolier was designed to be worn over the left shoulder with the thinner strap (attached to the triangular buckle) looping around the waist belt to keep the bandolier stable.

Tom