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British Made U.S. Equipment

Under a reverse "Lend-Lease" program the United States Ordnance Corps contracted British manufacturers to produce U.S Equipment. The primary goal of this was to augment current U.S. production and theoretically provide additional equipment closer to the European mainland where demands would be higher. All of the British Made equipment followed the patterns of the domestic U.S. Made equipment with a few exceptions, as will be seen on this page. An obvious feature of this equipment is the golden tan woven cotton material used in the production of the items. Additionally, hooks and closures were either blackened brass or blackened steel, while most of the attaching hooks (cartridge belt suspenders) were of a very unique rather confusing looking though serviceable design. A number of makers accepted and were awarded contracts, they were;

AC = Associated Cutters

B. H. & G. = Barrow Hepburn and Gale Ltd

B.S. Ltd. = Bass Smeaton

J. & A. H. Ltd. = J. & A. Hillman of Derby, U.K.,

H. H. C. & Co. Ltd. = H.H. Carroll & Co. Ltd.

C. P. Ltd. = Caoutchouc Products Ltd.

M. W. & S. Ltd = Michael Wright and Sons Limited

M. E. Co. = Mills Equipment Co.

Finnigans Ltd.

Bagcraft

Ammunition Carrying Belts, Pouches

M1923 Cartridge Belt

The design closely resembles the World War One Mill Woven Cartridge Belt Co produced belts.

M1923 Cartridge Belt

The use of steel fitting throughout the belt caused considerable rusting and discoloring of the belt material. This is a common thing seen on British made equipment.

M1923 Cartridge Belt

Not to be confused with the U.S. manufactured Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Company of the early 1900's. The Mills Equipment Company had been operating for decades prior to WW2, under the Mills Name. The process of constructing the woven material was patented by Anson Mills and was used, under license in the U.K..

M1936, Cartridge Belt Suspenders

These heavy woven suspenders are typical in construction of the British produced U.S Equipment of World War Two

M1936, Cartridge Belt Suspenders

Close up of the unusual Hook design that is typical of British Made U. S. Equipment

M1936, Cartridge Belt Suspenders

Made by Mills Equipment Co., M.E. Co., 1944

M1942, 45 ACP Magazine Pouch

M1942, 45 ACP Magazine Pouch

Mill Equipment Co. 1943

M1942, 45 ACP Magazine Pouch

M1942, 45 ACP Magazine Pouch

Bagcraft Ltd, 1944

1942 M-1 Carbine Magazine Pouch

1942 M-1 Carbine Magazine Pouch

Made by Martin, Wright & Sons Ltd., M.W. & S. Ltd. 1944

1942 M-1 Carbine Magazine Pouch

At first glance this appears to be an M1911 45 ACP magazine pouch. It will fit the M-1 Carbine magazine and was designed with a small stitch at the side which, when removed accommodate the Carbine magazine

1942 M-1 Carbine Magazine Pouch

Made by Bass Smeaton, B.S. Ltd.. 194?

M1928 Thompson SMG Drum Magazine Pouch

There is a famous photograph and British Prime minster Winston Churchill holding an M1928 Thompson SMG, while chomping on a Cigar. He actually test fried the Thompson and was impressed by it. The gun was fitted with a 50 round Drum Magazine

M1928 Thompson SMG Drum Magazine Pouch

This pouch is made by Barrow, Hepburn and Gale Ltd., B.H. & G. dated 1944

M1928 Thompson SMG Drum Magazine Pouch

The pouch could be carried by the shoulder strap or attached to a belt.

Bag, General Purpose

This multi-purpose bag was used for carrying, ammunition, rations, general equipment and even personal gear. Interesting in that the metal 30 Cal. linked ammunition box will fit this pouch easily.

Bag, General Purpose

This pouch is made by Barrow, Hepburn and Gale Ltd., B.H. & G. dated 1945

Miscellaneous Equipment

U.S. Canteen Carrier

This standard pattern canteen carrier was one of the most common pieces of equipment carried by a U.S. Soldier though two World Wars and well into the 1980's.

U.S. Canteen Carrier

This canteen carrier is made by Finnigans and is dated 1945.

U.S. Canteen Carrier

Following the standard pattern it is fitted with a steel hook, which was prone to rusting.

U.S Canteen Carrier

An unusual pattern that features a looped carry strap. Possibly intended for mounting in an armoured vehicle or hanging from a hook or a jeep or other vehicle

U.S Canteen Carrier

Made by Martin, Wright & Sons Ltd., M.W. & S. Ltd. 1944

U.S Canteen Carrier

Note the lack of a hook attachment on the back of this carrier. Does not appear to have had it removed and the strap attached afterwards.

Wire Cutter Carrier

Wire Cutter Carrier

The U.S. issued Wire Cutter was a rubber gripped, round head, square jaw cutter unlike the large British Lever type wire cutter commonly seen

Wire Cutter Carrier

Made by Martin, Wright & Sons Ltd., M.W. & S. Ltd. dated 1945

Wire Cutter Carrier

This carrier is fitted with a common U.S. style steel hook as all other U.S. Issued equipment.

M1928 Haversack

This piece of 1910 designed equipment was considered a nightmare by many of troop who used it. It is a confusing assemblage of straps, folds and additional extender needed to complete the pack. When fully assembled with the T-Handle shovel attached it extended down the back of the soldier to below his tailbone. This made sitting while wearing the pack impossible. The pack had to be removed, along with the attached cartridge belt then re-fitted as ordered to return to marching. Since the basic design is based on the M1910 haversack a modification to add extra load bearing and distributing straps culminated in the M1928.

M1928 U.S. Haversack

An unassembled haversack that is folded for shipping and storage

M1928 U.S. Haversack

Both the haversack an Mess Kit pouch (under the upper flap) are made by Mill Equipment Co. and dated 1944

M1928 U.S. Haversack

The haversack was fitted with the unique strap end hooks made of steel and susceptible to rusting.

M1928 Pack Extender

The intent of the pack extender was to increase the capacity of the pack, allowing the content to be shifted lower. This was supposed to put less strain on the shoulders of he soldier.

M1928 Pack Extender

The somewhat confusing array of web straps and leather connector strap lead to this piece of equipment being referred to as a "Diaper".

M1928 Pack Extender

This pack extender is made by Mills Equipment Co. and dated 1943

WW2 Officer's Map Case

Officer's Map Case

A standard pattern Officer's Map Case

Officer's Map Case

This case is made by Finnigans, dated 1945

Officer's Map Case

This would carry any required administrative articles as needed to read maps and plan troop movements

Pistol Belt

M1936 Pistol Belt

The standard pattern U.S. pistol belt fitted with female snap on the left that will accept the male snap fitted to Magazine pouches. The simple U.S. in a light block font that is typically used on British Made U.S. equipment.

M1936 Pistol Belt

It appears the T-Closure on this belt if made of a blackened bronze which is not normal since most other British Made equipment used blackened steel fittings.

M1936 Pistol Belt

This is made by the Mills Equipment Co., M.E. Co. dated 1944

First Aid Dressing Pouch

This pouch followed the World War One M1910 Dressing pouch design and was carried over though World War Two and later. Since the design is consistent in all British Made pouches two example will be shown followed by a variety of manufacturers.

Note the light plain U.S. Font

The standard U.S. belt kook attachment in Steel.

Note the heavy plain U.S. Font

The standard U.S. belt hook attachment in Steel.

Made by Associated Cutters, 1944

Made by Mills Equipment Co., 1944

Made by Martin Wright & Sons Ltd, 1944

Made by Finnigans, 1944

Made by Bagcraft, 1943

Made by J. & A. Hillman, 1944

Shovel Carrier, T-Handle

T-Handle Shovel Carrier

Another typical standard U.S. pattern equipment. This design was accepted prior to World War one and had remined in service through to the adoption of the folding m1943 shovel.

T-Handle Shovel Carrier

This equipment carrier is made by Bagcraft and dated 1944. The rust staining is commonly seen on British Made equipment due to the steel fitting attached.

T-Handle Shovel Carrier

upon adoption of the 1943 Folding shovel the T-Handles shovel was standard issue.

Tow Strap

Tow Strap, Individual

An unusual piece of U.S. Equipment rarely seen though very important to troops manually transporting light equipment.

Tow Strap, Individual

The heavy web strap woudl cross the chest of the soldier while the heavy steel hook woudl attach to the ammunition cart or other material movers.

Tow Strap, Individual

This unique item is made by Barrow, Hepburn and Gale Ltd., B.H. & G. dated 1945

Pick-Mattock Carrier

Pick-Mattock Carrier

The pick-mattock has a steel pick and flat entrenching side fitted with a wooden handle. This was used to break up hard or rocky ground for digging entrenchments or individual fox-holes

Pick-Mattock Carrier

This simple carrier would hold the pick-mattock and its wooden handle. The whole arrangement woudl hand from the cartridge or pistol belt from the steel hook seen in the upper left of the image

Pick-Mattock Carrier

This carrier is made by Barrow, Hepburn and Gale Ltd., B.H. & G. dated 1944