AUSTRALIAN
BANDOLIERS
Mk.
2 Pattern .303 inch Ammunition Bandolier
During the service life of
the 7.62 mm ammunition any serviceable bandoleer was used when
production runs of stripper clipped / bandoliered ammunition
was assembled at the St Marys munition plant.
The general policy of the
Australian supply system was if the item was serviceable it
was to be used until it wasn't serviceable, thus you will find
the re-use of bandoliers originally filled with .303 in. Mk. 7
ammunition dating as far back as World War 2.
Markings: T/|\2
(plus various others)
Colour: Black.
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Khaki. |
Pocket
area:
110 x 461 mm. |
| Fasteners: Flat copper hooks. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
835 mm (longest side). |
| Markings: None. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
| Strap
connection:
Sewn both ends. |
|
Indian
made Mk. 3 .303 inch Ammunition Bandoliers
Recently found amongst the vast quantity of F4 ammunition sent
to the USA have been green Mk. 3 bandoliers for .303 in.
ammunition. These bandoliers are dated 1967 which means at
some stage after 1968 (the year of filling with ammunition)
Australia must of purchased a quantity of Indian Mk. 7 .303
in. ammunition.
Once the the ammunition was
used the clips and bandoliers would have been returned as
"range produce" for re-use. These used bandoliers were
refilled in 1983 with F4 ammunition and MBO
1966 marked
stripper clips.
Markings: O.C.F.3.1967
and inspectors stamp
Colour: Black.
 
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Green. |
Pocket
area:
114 x 480 mm. |
| Fasteners: Copper wire hooks. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
967 mm (longest side). |
| Markings: None. |
No. of Pockets: 5.
|
| Strap
connection:
Sewn both
ends. |
|
Bandoleer courtesy of Steve Stillabower
Australian
Mk. 1 Pattern .303 inch Ammunition Bandoliers 1945 - 1958
Just uncovered are these unique and early Mk. 1 Australian
pattern bandolier that date from 1945. This new design of
bandolier appears to be the basis of bandoliers to come in
Australian service and is fashioned on the Mk. 2 .303 in.
bandoleer using a similar material to the Mk. 2 bandoliers.
Note the use of two different sized pop studs and the use of a
lighter weight material.
Markings: M. TEX. AUST. I 45.
Colour: Black.
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Khaki. |
Pocket
area:
102 x 475 mm. |
| Fasteners: Brass pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
797 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: Large:
CARR FAST AUSTRALIA. Small:
CARR AUST |
Length
of rings strap:
115 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
Bandoleer courtesy of Wallsend Army Disposal, Newcastle,
Australia.
1955
Australian Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier
Although of the same basic design as the 1945 example it uses
a heavier cloth and improved pocket closing with snap
fasteners with the ability to adjust the length of the
shoulder strap.
Since it was the standard
policy within Australian service to return all "range produce"
(clips, bandoliers, brass, ammo cans and packaging) to
ordnance to be reused again more time and cost could be given
to the manufacture of the bandoliers as their service life was
to span many years or even decades, unlike US forces where
such items are considered 'expendable".
This new design of bandolier
was made by the Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory "C.G.C.F."
and the D/|\D is the Australian military acceptance mark.
Markings: C.G.C.F. AUST 1955 D/|\D
Colour: Blue or Green.
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Khaki. |
Pocket
area:
100 x 485 mm. |
| Fasteners: Brass pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
842 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA |
Length
of rings strap:
138 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
1956
Australian Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier
Markings: C.G.C.F. AUST 1956 D/|\D
Colour: Brown, Blue/Green, Green or Red.
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Khaki. |
Pocket
area:
100 x 480 mm. |
| Fasteners: Brass pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
865 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA |
Length
of rings strap:
144 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
1957
Australian Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier
Markings: C.G.C.F. AUST 1957 D/|\D
Colour: Brown, Green or Red.
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Khaki. |
Pocket
area:
106 x 485 mm. |
| Fasteners: Brass pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
857 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA |
Length
of rings strap:
162 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
Bandoleer courtesy of Dean Hall
1958
Australian Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier
In 1958 the bandolier seems
to of been changed slightly. The width of the pockets has been
reduced by 6 mm and the width of the long strap has been
reduced from 30 mm to 27 mm, so far I have only seen red
markings.
Markings: C.G.C.F. AUST 1958 D/|\D
Colour: Red.
| Material: Cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Khaki. |
Pocket
area:
100 x 485 mm. |
| Fasteners: Brass pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
840 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA |
Length
of rings strap:
140 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
Australian
Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier February and June 1966
This bandolier is dated February 1966 and has been made 37 mm
shorter, yet 6 mm wider then the previous version. They have
incorporated the use of a light weight olive green dyed cotton
which is fitted with the standard brass pop studs.
Alternative 6/66 bandoliers:- Version 1; has green pop-studs instead of bass. Version 2; has green pop-studs instead of bass and
heavy weight material straps.
Markings:
Colour: Black.
AUST/MK1 VQ
2/66
V |
|
AUST/MK1
VQ
6/66
V |
|
| Material: Light weight cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Olive green. |
Pocket
area:
106 x 472 mm. |
| Fasteners: Brass pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
760 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA |
Length
of rings strap:
95 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
2/66 and 6/66 dated
Bandoliers
Alternative 6/66 bandolier Version 1 Bandoleer
courtesy of Wallsend Army Disposal, Newcastle, Australia.
Alternative 6/66 bandolier Version 2 Bandoleer
courtesy of Wallsend Army Disposal, Newcastle, Australia.
Australian
Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier June 1966 - August 1967
This style of bandolier has
been found dated between 6/66 to 8/67 and is made to a similar
pattern to the previous two versions. The bandolier has been
lengthened by 37 mm back to the original length of the 1958
version. The cotton material has also been changed to a
heavier product and the use of blackened and green fasteners
might indicate that these changes where required due to combat
experience in South Vietnam.
Markings:
Colour: Black.
AUST/MK1 VQ 6/66
V |
|
AUST/MK1 VQ 5/67
V |
|
AUST/MK1
VQ
10/66
V |
|
AUST/
VQ MK1
V
8/67 |
|
| Material: Cotton (same weight as the
1958 version). |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Green. |
Pocket
area:
102 x 508 mm. |
| Fasteners: Black backed, green front
pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
815 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA. |
Length
of rings strap:
102 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
Australian
Mk. 1 Pattern Bandolier June 1967 - February 1968
Examples of this bandolier have been dated between 6/67 and
2/68 and are made to a very similar pattern and size to the
previous version. The bandolier has been shortened again this
time by 18 mm, they have retained the same weight of material
and style of fasteners. The slight changes might be due to the
change in manufacturer.
Markings:
Colour: Black.
AUST
/MK I CPI
6/67
N |
Require
a Photo and Bandolier Example
|
AUST
/MK I CPI 11/67
N |
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
7/67
N |
Require
a Photo and Bandolier Example
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
12/67
N |
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
8/67
N |
Require
a Photo and Bandolier Example
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
1/68
N |
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
9/67
N |
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
2/68
N |
|
AUST
/MK I CPI
10/67
N |
|
|
|
| Material: Cotton (same weight as the
1958 version). |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Green. |
Pocket
area:
102 x 490 mm. |
| Fasteners: Black backed, green front
pop studs. |
Length
of shoulder strap:
790 mm (longest side to tip). |
| Markings: CARR FAST AUSTRALIA |
Length
of rings strap:
136 mm (longest side). |
| Strap
connection:
Double rings. |
No.
of Pockets:
5. |
Australian 100
Round 7.62x51mm Linked Bandolier (T4)
Based
on the American examples, theses held 100 rounds of linked belt for the
M60 machine Gun. at this stage this is the only example I have
but I'm sure it was also made by the various other manufacturers of the
standard bandoliers of this period. The material is similar or
the same as the Feb / Jun 1966 bandoliers. The 100 round belt was
contained in a Cardboard carton, making the bandolier too
rectangular
Markings: VQ /V 67
Colour: Black.
| Material: Light weight cotton. |
Sizes:- |
| Colour: Green. |
Pocket area: 160h x 110w x 90d mm (approximate). |
| Fasteners: Black, small pop
stud. |
Length of shoulder strap: 1280 mm (approximate). |
| Markings: CARR SNAPPER |
No.
of Pockets:
1. |
| Strap
connection:
Sewn |
|
|
