Weird p37 economy belt

Hi all,

I've come across this webbing belt that doesn't quite fit in. The belt is marked MeCo 1951 NORMAL. The belt is for the most part standard, apart from two features:

- The belt has the 'economy' belt keepers. The rest is the standard brass hardware.

- Two brass eyelets are added to the left of the rear buckles, a 1910 wire hanger fits between them.






Does anyone know what country these were made for?

Maybe a Dutch prototype run. Prior to adopting the M52 webbing there had been some mix of British and US gear tested, also modified wartime pieces, so I
don't rule the possibility out as this being such a hybrid item.

That would be interesting, I already have a khaki m52 type belt (with eyelets along the whole belt). Are there any known sources on early dutch webbing?, I've searched on militaire spectator but haven't learned much.

The French also modified WE 37 belts with eyelets like that one.

Good to know, any idea what was supposed to hang from them?. The obvious options are the entrenching tool, bayonet or canteen.

Could be just about anything. I recall seeing these modified French belts either in old issues of Militaria Magazine, or perhaps that French language book about paratroopers in Indochina.

What is most interesting about that belt, I think, is that it has the economy-type keepers despite being 1950s production.