NZ Webbing '70s - '90s

Hi Chaps,

Hoping some on here might be able to help me develop a better understanding of NZ web gear development post-Vietnam to the 1990s...

As I understand it so far the development goes something like this;

1970s US, Australian and New Zealand made M-1956 components.

1980s As 1970s plus New Zealand made modified canvas M-1956 pouches plus some ALICE components (US Made?).

1990s As 1970s and 1980s plus some SE Asian made ALICE components and nylon New Zealand made modified M-1956 pouches.

As I understand it the original M-1956 components remained in the system right the way through until the '90s, being augmented as laid out above.

Would be interested for further info as to dates, and any corrections where I've got things wrong or misunderstood.

Many thanks!

When I joined in 88 we got a real mix of gear. Some items were the 80s USGI ALICE quality made items and some were poorly made Asian copies. With the intro of the Steyr a local made cotton then nylon version of the Aussie SLR pouch was introduced and our 30 rounds ALICE mag pouches (which were good) were taken off us. The M56 ammo and harnesses were disappearing as they wore out, the webb belts never seemed to wear out and plenty of them were around till the 90s. In 1991 a canvas version of the SLR pouch was introduced and remained until 1999/2000 when DPM webbing was issued for East Timor.

That certainly clarifies things somewhat, thanks!

Some examples of 90s webb sets, in particular the nylon version of the ammo pouch.

Same style pouches but in canvas. Came out around the 90-91 period. Remained in service until the DPM webbing was issued.

WHAT A MISH MASH OF GEAR.BACK IN THE DAY IT LOOKS LIKE OZ @ NZ HAD THE WORST EQUIPPED ARMIES!

I irony is when I joined we had M16A1 and the USGI Alice 30 round mag pouches which were very good, as soon as we got the Steyr we handed the USGI mag pouches in and got issues the cotton version of the pictured pouches (basically a large version of the US M56 M14 pouch) which was then replaced in time with nylon and then canvas as pictured. The Alice 30 rd pouch fitted 2 x Steyr mag.

Picture from a TradeMe auction, shows all 3 types of pouch. Starting from the top - Canvas type, Nylon top middle, and the orignal cotton duct lowest.

Here's a view of the ALICE clips. They are not the stalloy type that the USGI are, so used to rust up and bend.

Great info, thanks for sharing!!!