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WTK: 1941 Marked Leather L-Drum? Saddle Pouch


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All,

 

A leather saddle pouch was shown to me that I want to inquire about on the board. It’s a very well made pouch that fits a Thompson L-drum. It was apparently acquired from the Connecticut State Police, and shows markings consistent with having an L-drum stored in it. I’m wondering if anyone has ever seen one before, and better yet, if any pictures exist that might support Connecticut State Police provenance. The L-drum slides down inside it, with some space above. Please see the pictures below:

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/Thompson_Hardware/CT_Pouch_Frt.JPG

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/Thompson_Hardware/CT_Pouch_Bck.JPG

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/Thompson_Hardware/CT_Pouch_Marking.JPG

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/Thompson_Hardware/CT_Pouch_Inside.JPG

 

Of course, it's possible this pouch was manufactured for other purposes. It is marked "U.S., W.H. Co., 1941, L"

 

Any information you may provide is appreciated!

 

Thanks!

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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BTT for one more "go-round."

 

I have a feeling this will remain an item of unverifiable provenance, but maybe someone knows something more about it, and will see it here. Any information you might have is appreciated.

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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Is that "locking knob" a fairly new addition or does it look like it was put there when the pouch was made? I was going to say it looked a lot like those leather European "Thompson" pouches used in "Kelly's Heroes". The leather looks like pigskin and I've never seen any US military leather goods made with that, not for use by US troops anyway.
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David,

 

At the first All Thompson Show & Shoot at Tracie's in 1992, one of these pouches was sitting on a table next to Rich Mason's display of Marine Corps uniforms and gear. I'm not sure if it was his. The handwritten description on a sign said, "Conn State Police "L" drum pouch. Make offer". Again, I don't know if it changed hands. I have a picture of the table but I'll have to scan it, etc.

 

Another reference to leather pouches and the CT State police came in 2001 at the Forks of the Delaware display that I participated in with Chuck K., Pat W. and Lee W. I met a retired CT State police trooper there who spent time talking about the Thompsons of that department. He went on to say that there were leather accessorie(s)? that were tossed out some time ago.

 

These instances obviously don't provide provenance but provide some earlier connection to the item.

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I agree that this is most likely a leather pouch that an L drum fits in,

as opposed to a pouch specifically made for a L drum. My guess would

be this held some type of optical/sighting/surveying equipment that was

used/carried on horseback, and that later on someone noticed - hey, a

Thompson drum fits in here. I've also never seen the rippled (pigskin?)

leather on any piece of US leather gear.

I had a similar episode when I was selling what I thought to be a

leather WWI marked shotgun shell pouch - almost like a box and 12 ga.

shells fit it perfectly. When I put it up for sale several people informed

me that it was a leather spare parts box for the BAR.

 

Bob

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I agree that this is most likely a leather pouch that an L drum fits in,

as opposed to a pouch specifically made for a L drum.

 

Bob

 

I think you're probably correct in your assessment.

 

To answer Hawkeye_Joe's question about the locking tab, it does appear original to the pouch.

 

aut-ord-co,

 

It's possible that this is the same one that you saw at the first Show and Shoot in 1992. Thanks for the recollection about it, and if you find the picture, that would be great.

 

Thanks Again!

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

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You have that heavy a locking knob and that many straps on a pouch it is being made to withstand lots of movement. Possibly for use on a horse where the action of the horse's movement effecting the pouch would need to be controlled. I don't know where on a saddle the hell you would put that tab.....but I'm not that well schooled on the US McClellan saddle. ......is it aluminum or stainless? It's damn clean compared to the rivets...

 

Another strange thing is the length of the straps, the top and bottom are long and the middle one is shorter...damn weird...The stamping marks it as made for some military use, and the large "L" does push it toward it holding "L" drums....will two fit in it??

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I don't know what the pouch could have been made for but I'll go ahead and jump in anyway.

 

 

The locking lug looks like it could be used as a quick disconnect mounting along the lines of the Pachmayr Flush Mount sling swivels.

 

As for the big "L" my swag is that is stands for LEFT, as in this one goes on the Left side.

 

Also with the 1941 date you might want to check into motorcycle gear.

 

 

 

Some or all of this information may be incorrect, YMMV. ;-)

 

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...will two fit in it??

 

Hawkeye Joe,

 

Great observation, but apparently two drums will not fit. I did not try to fit two of them inside, but I spoke to the owner last night, and he confirmed that only one will fit.

 

Wayne W,

 

I think you're right about the "L" marking. I don't think it indicates an L-Drum.

 

All,

 

Thank you for your feedback on this item. From your comments, and the information the owner was able to provide, I'm going to guess that this was probably an available leather pouch that was found by the Connecticut State Police to be a good match to hold an L-Drum, but was probably originally designed for something else. I will keep an eye out for motorcycle and equestrian clues that might provide a definitive answer.

 

Now, back to show prep for this weekend...(making one more display board section)

 

David Albert

dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

 

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  • 9 years later...

Why the very, very odd shape with an extended upper, and as noted above the very heavy strap support for such a light content as a loaded L drum. "Form follows function" is the old adage for design of most everything that has a completely functional purpose and not decorative. The form and construction of this pouch really has little to do with the shape and use of an L drum in my opinion.

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