IACMC MILITARIA FORUM

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

3 posters

    Weird p37 economy belt

    avatar
    Glencoe
    Corporal
    Corporal


    Location : Nederland
    Registration date : 2017-10-22
    Number of posts : 48

    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by Glencoe Tue May 28, 2019 4:19 pm

    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.


    Weird p37 economy belt 20190510

    Weird p37 economy belt 20190511

    Does anyone know what country these were made for?
    michelwijnand
    michelwijnand
    Senior Lieutenant
    Senior Lieutenant


    Name : Michel Wijnand
    Age : 36
    Location : The Netherlands
    Registration date : 2016-11-09
    Number of posts : 816

    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Re: Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by michelwijnand Sun Jul 07, 2019 10:42 am

    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.
    avatar
    Glencoe
    Corporal
    Corporal


    Location : Nederland
    Registration date : 2017-10-22
    Number of posts : 48

    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Re: Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by Glencoe Sun Jul 07, 2019 4:33 pm

    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.
    Wolverine
    Wolverine
    Major
    Major


    Name : Andrew
    Location : Canada
    Registration date : 2014-01-18
    Number of posts : 1409

    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Re: Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by Wolverine Mon Jul 08, 2019 11:14 am

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


    Location : Nederland
    Registration date : 2017-10-22
    Number of posts : 48

    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Re: Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by Glencoe Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:43 pm

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


    Name : Andrew
    Location : Canada
    Registration date : 2014-01-18
    Number of posts : 1409

    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Re: Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by Wolverine Tue Jul 09, 2019 1:02 pm

    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.

    Sponsored content


    Weird p37 economy belt Empty Re: Weird p37 economy belt

    Post by Sponsored content


      Current date/time is Wed Nov 13, 2024 6:24 pm