p51 Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 I just scored a mint condition 5-cell 20-round mag pouch off of evilbay, and I'm very pleased with it, but I'm also confused. I have "American Thunder II" where it's discussed and ID'd as a probable USMC purchased pouch direct from the civilian mfg. This thing is utterly devoid of any markings whatsoever. It's not a repro, I know that much. To me from what I know of procurement during WW2 doesn't sound right. After almost 20 years of handling WW2 US stuff, I've probably only seen one or two completely unmarked anything in canvas. Does anyone else have a pouch like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 ima is selling some. picked mine up almost two yrs ago 75 bucks. no markings, not one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 I've had one since 1985.... Another only has the US on the front middle flap.... NO markings on the inside of the belt loop either... I'm pretty convinced they are OK... Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMG28 Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 I also have an unmarked 5-cell pouch that is WWII vintage. It is often referred to as the 'commercial" versions, though I don't know of any documentation that these were ever sold to the public. The unmarked pouches are believed to have been made specifically for the Marines by a firm that I think was located in Pittsburgh. I will look into my records to see if I can find the name, but I think Frank included it in American Thunder I. The story goes that the Marines did not want to wait for the slow supply channels and contracted directly with this firm. It is not known whether the absence of any markings was intentional or (more likely) didn't matter to the Marines that wanted them. Another one of those Thompson mysteries which we will probably never solve for sure..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Can you post a photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p51 Posted May 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 QUOTE Can you post a photo? I tried for half an hour, but my photobucket isn't uploading anything for some reason. Here's one just like it, from the same guy I got mine from: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW The guy I got it from wrote back to me, and says he has a lot more where this came from: rzimkas@comcast.net I was very pleased with the one I got. There's a small patch (less than 1/4 the size of a dime) of oxidation on one of the lift-a-dot snap heads and it's got that "old canvas" funk, but otherwise it's NOS. You could tell no mags had ever been placed inside it. He asks for $55 each on ebay for "buy it now," so I'd guess that he'd sell them outright for that much. Tell him Lee sent ya, really! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/tongue.gif Keep in mind, he's not a buddy of mine, I'm not advertising his stuff for him, just like to share a good deal when I find one! Oh, he also said he has some NOS .45 M1911 holsters going up for ebay soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMGguy Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 The photo came across just fine. I have one identical to it in my own collection. It came with my M1928A1, which I purchased in 1992. It is absolutely identical with the one pictured except that ".45 TSMG" has been neatly stenciled in black on the front of the pouches. Since the seller had the gun and the pouches for fifty years, I don't doubt the originality at all, even though the color is just slightly more green than the OD #3 or #7 that we are all most familiar with. Have you looked for markings on the inside of the belt slot? Uninformed opinion around here has it that the pouch might have been made immediately post war for US military assistance programs, but no proof one way or the other. I do notice however that the 'lift-the-dot' fasteners, weave and weight of the canvas, and weight of the thread used in assembly are absolutely identical to WWII-produced items.I'm thinking WWII. Nice buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p51 Posted May 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 QUOTE (TSMGguy @ May 20 2005, 08:43 PM) I don't doubt the originality at all, even though the color is just slightly more green than the OD #3 or #7 that we are all most familiar with. Have you looked for markings on the inside of the belt slot? Well, keep in mind that a lot of canvas we think of as WW2 is heavily faded. A lot of original WW2 items I have that have been unissued and kept indoors are often more greenish than tan. And as for markings, I looked everywhere, and there's nothing. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/huh.gif I've been handling this stuff for years and have never found any web pouch for ammo without even a maker's name or year on it from WW2.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMG28 Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 The unmarked pouches are discussed in American Thunder I and II (same text). See pages 354-356 of AT II. The so-called commercial pouches are believed to have been produced directly for the Marines by Acme Protection Company of Pittsburgh. As Frank explains and I noted above, it was apparently not uncommon for the Marines to go outside of normal supply channels to acquire critical gear. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dogsfightin Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 Could this be the Russian stuff coming back in??? I have one that I bought for Origional It is also unmarked. It is in as new shape but has "dents" in the canvas. looks like from the "lift the dot" fastener where another ond laid on top of it for many years of storage?? 2dogs...........OUT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted May 27, 2005 Report Share Posted May 27, 2005 I have one also. Pretty nice shape but no marks at all. Bought it from a gun dealer at a local show a couple years back....he had it on the table for $30.00 and I didn't argue too much! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p51 Posted May 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2005 QUOTE (john @ May 27 2005, 06:27 PM) I have one also. Pretty nice shape but no marks at all. Bought it from a gun dealer at a local show a couple years back....he had it on the table for $30.00 and I didn't argue too much! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif Smart, especially when you consider they're going for as much as over $100 on ebay right now. I can't understand why this particular seller isn't getting that much for his, as they're certainly NOS original. But I'm not complaining! If this eller was smart, they'd market them via ebay as USMC, that would double the price right away. But still, I swear by this person, really nice, quick shipping and good commo. And no, I'm not making an ad for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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