Items of British Web Equipment, 1937-2002
This is an illustrated catalogue of the British Army soldier's web equipment showing how it has evolved over half a century and comparing like with like: 1937 pattern; 1944 pattern; 1958 pattern; 1958 pattern Mark 2; x1990 pattern; 1990 pattern Early; and, 1990 pattern. Items surveyed and illustrated are: waistbelts and braces; basic pouches; bayonet frogs; cartridge carriers; brace attachments; waterbottle carriers and bottles; haversacks and packs; ammunition pouches; pistol cases; skeleton orders; combat loads; marching orders; and officers sets. The author's conclusion is that the 1937 pattern and its 1994 derivative is far superior in many ways to all subsequent patterns of web equipment. The design of the 1937 pattern was a continuation of the design philosophy embodied in the 1908 pattern and the last designed by a private company (the Mills Web Equipment Company) rather than a Government Committee.
Mark Lane
Softcover 67pp