Canadian soldier - late 1950s

Here are some views of Canadian clothing and equipment as worn in the mid to late 1950s.

The webbing is the 1951 pattern, shown here with the small pack. Not shown is the large pack, and entrenching tool/carrier. Sometimes a poncho was worn rolled-up and strapped to the rear of the belt.

The bayonet for the FN-C1 is in the early style frog, which was actually meant for a No. 4 bayonet. There was a second type frog made especially for the FN-C1.

The metal canteen shown here was replaced with the plastic type in 1960, although probably the metal ones continued in use for many years. They are hard to find now, as is the Canadian-manufactured canteen cup. On the opposite side is the pouch for the mess tins.

The field jacket is the scarce X53, which appears to have been used on a limited basis before the new combat dress was introduced in the early 1960s.

The respirator carrier is not shown, but it could be worn at the side, on the chest, or even on top of the small pack, according to the field manual.

great stuff, grew up with jungle greens. Jim.

great stuff i just completed my pattern 51 webbing i have the metal canteen & cup along with the plastic one only hard thing for to find was the entrenching tool and cover/carrier

Yes, the tools and covers are relatively scarce.

Do you have the gas mask and haversack to go with this Era webbing?

I do. There are two different styles of haversack.

ya I still need to find one for my webbing the next task is to get all the little things like the housewife,blanket, etc plan to have the complete kit seems like the 50's era of the Canadian forces are a mystery after Korea not much information out there

Just picked up a I think 51 Patt Radio pouch,complete with radio and the various bits associated with it.

Do you have a picture of the pack & radio?

I have loads on my phone Mike but no camera any more and cannot upload them to here Im afraid.

well then i haven't seen a radio pouch yet something else to add to the list to find now

I can if you want Mike,email the pics over to you(or anyone else that can post them up on here) if thats any help.

yes that would be i will pm you my email

Thanks Mike,will take some better,more detailed pics tomorrow and email them over.

There is not, strictly speaking such a thing as a WE 51 radio pouch. Rather, a carrier was manufactured for the CPRC-26 radio that could be worn compatibly with the web set. Actually, that probably applies for the respirator carriers as well.

Thats the one I was on about.

There is also a later version with plastic buckles, as well as Danish-made version for the same radio, which was used by the Danish army.

Wolverine wrote:There is also a later version with plastic buckles, as well as Danish-made version for the same radio, which was used by the Danish army.

Yep! Correct. I think I have shown you this once before:

CPRC-26 in the Danish army:

My radio came with 3 different instruction plates,different languages so one could possibly be Danish?

What does the data plate look like?

Not a data plate Andrew but instruction plates,will have to dig them out but from memory instructions I think on how to use the radio and possibly how to wear the pouch,belt,rear like a backpack or slung over the shoulder.

Richard, I was thinking of the data plate that is attached to the radio set itself. That will tell you where it was manufactured. Yes, the instruction plates were loose.

I have enough P51 webbing to make several sets, but only 1 entrenching tool. They are a tough item to source. Mine is in new condition so it is displayed on its own.

Wolverine wrote:Richard, I was thinking of the data plate that is attached to the radio set itself. That will tell you where it was manufactured. Yes, the instruction plates were loose.

Data plate and the pouch are both Canuk.

Mk1rceme wrote:I have enough P51 webbing to make several sets, but only 1 entrenching tool. They are a tough item to source. Mine is in new condition so it is displayed on its own.

My carrier is unissued but my shovel has been used a little chip in the blade and stiff from rust but cleaning it up opens better now the tip of the handle on mone is red not sure why