44 Para Brigade chest webbing

Hi Guys,

I believe this to be the first type 44 Para Brigade chest webbing with black inserts and black padded straps. Anyone of different opinion or have any comments?

Kind Regards

Can anyone please explain why the pistol pouch?
It is in such an awkward place and as far as i know they were never issued pistols.

Hi Raw01,

I have see many operational pictures with 44 Para branding a pistol in the pistol pouch. Whether this was an issue pistol or not remains unclear. Personally i think its a pretty good place for a pistol. I know the Para Fox chest webbing variant (also used by 44 Para) also has a pistol. What doesn't make good sense to me about the type 1 webbing is that they use a buckle on the pistol pouch instead of a clip which is a lot easier to quickly retrieve your pistol. The second version comes out with a clip rather than a buckle. Makes better sense!!

Kind Regards
Militaryman

Is this the 2nd version you are referring too?
Can you please post a pic with the pistol pouch being used.

Thanks

Hi there,

Yip that is the second version....it should be made by Texcraft and the velcro is sand colour. There is the same second version made by backpacker with black velcro and black trimming on the pistol pouch. Will need to scan a pic or 2 but will try do it now.

Nice piece of kit you have there!!

regards
Mailitaryman

Thanks, Im almost complete with my 44 Para Bn Ceremony and Jump gear.
Im just missing the beret then im done.

Hi there,

Not the best scan and did this quickly - just running here.....

Some do have the Para Fox chest webbing but virtually the same layout. All 44 Para and pics taken from the book "Pathfinder Company The Philistines" by Graham Gillmore. Try get a copy its a great book!!

Thanks
Looking good.

Raw01 wrote:
Can anyone please explain why the pistol pouch?
It is in such an awkward place and as far as i know they were never issued pistols.

I can only think it might be the same reason why WWII Fallschirmjager were issued pistols - main armament would be stowed for the jump leaving the para vulnerable, a pistol at least gave some immediate protection until he reached the ground. When that became irrelevant so many troopies were using the holster they may have decided just to leave it on ...

Thanks for that info.