Enfield1940

Thanks. The one I recently acquired had an obscured label, so I was wondering if it was a 52 or a 53. So it appears to be either both or neither according to preference.

Hi, I got this sling as part of a job lot of stuff and it was described as a "Bren sling". To me it looks like it's been put together from a Mk2 S6 respirator haversack strap, two 58 Pattern poncho roll hooks and a bergan (?) strap. I can't find any markings. Has anyone seen anything like this before? Cheers, Mark

Alas I had to miss Detling this year - the first time in about ten years.:-( Whilst we're on the subject of 52/53 Pattern gear, what is the difference between the 52 and 53 Pattern smocks? Cheers, Mark

Hi, Resurrecting this thread... is the male fastex clip on the RH ammo pouch the same size as the issue ones found on the PLCE scabbard frogs? It has been removed on my pouch and I was thinking of transplanting one back on. It would also be really helpful if someone could show a close up pic or two of how the clip is sewn onto the pouch. Cheers, Mark

Many thanks for the pictures. I'm still puzzled as to why there are unmarked ones, but it makes me more confident my one isn't commercial.

It definitely looks like an 'N'. I've done a spot of googling and it looks like a WS38 wireless strap, but with a wider bit in the middle like a P37 shoulder brace.

There's what looks like 'Z.N.2108' stamped on it.

Thanks for the pics. It looks physically identical to mine, but my one is unmarked. Curiouser and curiouser...

Hi, Does anyone know what this strap is for? It looks like a mixture of a P37 shoulder brace, a 1 inch P37 buckle and 2 MkV gas mask bag strap hooks. It came with a 1962* dated P37 entrenching tool carrier that my father bought many years ago as army surplus. I have designs upon the hooks for P25 rucksack restoration purposes, but I'm keen to identify what it is before I chop it up. Cheers, Mark *Yes, definitely 1962 dated and made by M.E.Co. As to why they were still making them in 1962..?

CQC eh? Those pesky indistinct webbing markings will get you every time. :-) Hopefully it's evidence it's a real one.

I have a 1971 dated water bottle pouch made in the later olive green colour.

Not evilBay - 'twas £25 in the Army & Navy Stores in Cambridge. With an SLR Trilux sight pouch for £2...

Thanks. I've had a rummage through my OG PLCE box and it seems to be a mark used by the company 'COC' as I've found a near identical mark on some COC made rifle grenade carriers. (Which definitely aren't commercial) Hopefully this suggests it's an issue item, although I'm still puzzled as to why there's a lack of other markings.

A bit of an obscure one this: if anyone has a genuine issue olive green PLCE shoulder holster set, could they let me know how and where it is marked? I've just bought one and I'm trying to work out if it's a real one or a commercial copy. The only marking I can find is a round quality control (?) marking on the holster which looks the same as the ones on issue PLCE. The flap, shoulder harness and waist belt are all unmarked, although the buckle on the waist belt is genuine Nexus. So is it real, or is it Memorex? Cheers, Mark

They could well be. Thanks for the pic. Slightly odd request; if someone has a size 3 P53 or P60 smock to hand, could they tell me what it measures across the chest? I ask as the size label on the P53 smock above is faded out and I can't decide whether it's a size 3 or merely a generous size 2.

Plain white eh? Interesting. That might explain why some threads stuck in the lining look like faded white rather than brown. Could you point me at an illustration? Cheers, Mark

Hi, I've just acquired an issued 1953 Pattern Combat Smock and I note it once had Lance Corporal Stripes on the arms. I'm not untempted to refit it with some period correct examples - what should I be looking for? I've measured the stitch holes and quickly bodged up a correct scale stripe. (Blue Peter eat your heart out) Is this is a standard size badge? Cheers, Mark

Well I may have figured out the mystery of attaching the entrenching tool case pouch. There's just enough room between the 'C' hooks of the yoke to suspend it over the belt by using the 'dropped' pouch height option. I still can't figure out how you would attach an entrenching tool case to the cloth strips with 'C' hooks on the belt, although I can see how you'd put a utility pouch on them. PS. Many thanks to HeathJr (of this parish) for supplying the yoke. Nice doing business with you:)

Trials ones had the pre-metric sizing: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?24138-DPM-Para-Smock-DPM-Sniper-Smock-Green-Windproof-Smock&highlight=sniper I don't recall ever seeing an issue one with pre-metric sizing. I have a metric sized one that's made of the same material and hardware as a pre-metric Para smock I also have. (Both made by H.E. Textiles)

Wdbikemad will confirm, but it looks like an olive green 1963 Pattern Windproof smock. If it is, hang it carefully in a cupboard - it's rare and valuable.

Repeating last year's thread - get anything good? Not a vintage year for me, but I picked up various odds and ends yesterday: RAF 1925 Pattern lower rucksack - £8 1990 OD PLCE trauma pouch (unissued) - £4 L1A1 SLR magazine - £5 1968 Pattern combat smock (size 8) - £10 Tropical DPM boonie hat (unissued + size 61) - £4 Pair of WWII RAF 1937 Pattern cartridge carriers (unissued) - £10 Pair of 1958 Pattern kidney pouches (first type – 1961 dated) - £5 1958 Pattern left-hand ammo pouch (first type) - £8.50 WWI French Citron-Foug grenade shell (rusty - mini-restoration project) - £5 1960’s MP white Browning HP holster (WWII type – not P58 type) - £5 L1A1 SLR BFA - £8 Probably the highlight is the P25 lower rucksack for a paltry £8. The dealer knew what it was as well, so I'm not sure why it was at a giveaway price? (It's in fairly tidy condition) I was also quite pleased with the very early P58 kidney pouches. Over to you...

Thanks. I think he's got all that apart from the muzzle cover and foresight tool. BTW. There are some rare pictures of the mag pouch in use in 'The British Army in Ulster Vol.2'.

Thanks for that. I ask as a friend is thinking about getting a deact Sterling and was pondering what accessories to look out for.

Was there such a thing? Or would L1A1 SLR cleaning items be used? Thanks, Mark

It is. I need to recoup the money spent securing the set, so it's being returned whence it came: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?32678-SUIT-Trilux-SLR-Pouch-85-Pattern-Trials-PLCE-Utility-Pouch-Olive-Green-PLCE-Items