M14 Rifle Ammunition Bandoleer, M2
The US has used a standardized design since World War 2 supplying ammunition in 5 round stripper clips for the M1903 and the 8 round clips for the M1 Garand, hence it was natural progression to create the 7.62 x 51 mm bandolier in the same form. The use of a lightweight olive green cotton with interracial sewn shoulder strap, incorporated material pocket flaps, cardboard outer's and safety clip fasteners. This form of bandolier has continued to be used with the M16 for stripper clipped ammunition.

Due to the ingenious way the material is sewn there's a flap of material which is retained in place by the stitching that covers the openings to the pockets and can be easily pulled aside to access the clips. By doing this it requires no fasteners or hooks.

I have found two versions of bandoliers one is for the M14 the other is for the converted M1 Garand and therefore the use of the en bloc clip has been retained.

From Douglas K Wozny :-
The official name of the bandoleer used to package 7.62 MM NATO rounds is Bandoleer, M2. The military specification that covers this item is MIL-B-46367 and the drawing detailing this item is F8594723.

The paste board insert is called Carton (Point Protector) Cartridges, NATO, 7.62MM and is made in accordance with drawing 8594722.

Markings:

MANUFACTURERS MARKINGS
NOV PROD CO     APR      67		NOV PROD CO JUL 66		NOV PROD JUL 67		CHASE BAG CO. 9-67		NOV JAN 68		NOV APR 69
K.P.I. 2-67
MARKING		MANUFACTURER
CHASE BAG CO		Case bag Company,
NOV PROD CO		Novelty Products Company, New York, NY
NOV		Novelty Products Company, New York, NY
K.P.I.		Kings Point Industries, Fayetteville, NC
AMMUNITION LOADING MARKINGS
NATO 7.62 MM BALL M80 5RD CLIPS WRA 22812		NATO 7.62 MM BALL M80 5RD CLIPS WRA 22889		NATO 7.62 MM BALL M80 5RD CLIPS WRA 22796		NATO 7.62 MM BALL M80 5RD CLIPS WRA 22801		7.62 MM NATO BALL M80 5RD CLIPS WCC 6353		NATO 7.62 MM BALL M80 8RD CLIP LOT LC 12484

Thank you to Ronnie O'Neal for new examples of bandolier markings.
Thank you to Douglas K Wozny for new information.
Thank you to Bill Ricca for new bandolier makers markings K.P.I. and NPC Apr 67.

Production Years:

Maker	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971
Chase Bag Co		Y
Nov Prod Co	Y	Y
Nov			Y	Y
K.P.I.		Y

Colour: Black.

Material: Light weight cotton.
Colour: Olive green.

Fasteners: None.
Markings: None.
Strap connection: Sewn both ends.

Sizes:-
Pocket area: 102 x 608 mm.
Length of shoulder strap: 903 mm. (longest side)

No. of Pockets: 6.

Markings:

MANUFACTURERS MARKINGS

SEMCO 10/89

AMMUNITION LOADING MARKINGS

7.62MM NATO BALL M80 5RD CLIPS LC-90 E103-814

Colour: Black.

Material: Light weight cotton.
Colour: Olive green.

Fasteners: None.
Markings: None.
Strap connection: Sewn both ends.

Sizes:-
Pocket area: 110 x 632 mm.
Length of shoulder strap: 963 mm. (longest side)

No. of Pockets: 6.

7.62 MM M1 Rifle Ammunition Bandolier

Markings:

MANUFACTURERS MARKINGS

None

AMMUNITION LOADING MARKINGS

NATO 7.62 MM BALL M80 8RD CLIP LOT LC 12484

Colour: Black.

Material: Light weight cotton.
Colour: Khaki green.

Fasteners: None.
Markings: None.
Strap connection: Sewn both ends.

Sizes:-
Pocket area: 115 x 555 mm.
Length of shoulder strap: 933 mm. (longest side)

No. of Pockets: 6.