US WWI Chest Rig for Stripper/Clips

[MechAg94]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/TRW133-957-2124.html

Original US military ammo chest pouch with 11 snap pockets designed to carry about 140 rounds of ammo on stripper clips. Dates back to the pre-1920s. Used, in excellent condition; scarce and limited supplies. The pockets on the TRW-133 measure 3- 3/4" x 2- 3/4".

I was just curious if anyone else had seen these on Cheaper than Dirt's website or knew anything about them. Mine has a 1918 date stamp on the back with a guy's name as inspector. Assuming it isn't fake, I guess someone had a bright idea to increase the round count carried by soldiers, but it got canned after WWI.

I bought one. 11 pockets that each hold two 8 round Garand clips. I like the round count, but I haven't loaded it up to try the weight yet though. Either way, it is a convenient way to hold a bunch of clips and the snap pockets are a lot easier to manage than the thin cloth bandoliers.

 

[Eightball]

the snap pockets are a lot easier to manage than the thin cloth bandoliers.

As I so recently discovered about those bandoliers :banghead:

 

[Buckskinner]

I like it!

But don't try and spend alot of time prone with it...

I think for an M1 the best untactical is just a big slung pouch full of loose clips. Its fast to reach in and grab one and shove it in...Kind of like an old time "possibles" bag...without the powder horn!

 

[chestnut ridge]

I purchased the same item with a 1918 inspection date. I don't believe it is a fake. There must have been a wad of these in some warehouse. I have
been informed they were intended to be grenade pouches. Since I am
currently fresh out of grenades; your idea is going to be a good one.

 

[Sunray]

"...to try the weight yet though..." The Shouldice Hernia Centre. It's north of Toronto. They'll have you in and out in 4 days with no 3 month recovery time.
http://www.shouldice.com/

 

[kfranz]

I've had a couple of these harnesses for a number of years now. They were intended for grenades, not '03 clips. They'll also hold Garand clips, 20 rd. AR mags and M1 carbine mags. Haven't really tried pistol mags, but you could probably REALLY load it up with them...

I think you'll find that when fully loaded with ammo, the method of attatchment (around the back of the neck) to be less than optimal for long term wear on your chest. I suspect that carrying it as one would carry a he-satchel (arm through the neck strap, then strap over the head) would be more reasonable. Over the back of the headrest in a car/truck would be pretty handy as well.

The snaps, while handy for preventing stuff from falling out of the pockets, can be a weak point as they seem to corrode fairly easily. Not all that shocking I suppose, as they've been hanging around somewhere for going on 90 years.

 

[MechAg94]

I think for an M1 the best untactical is just a big slung pouch full of loose clips. Its fast to reach in and grab one and shove it in...Kind of like an old time "possibles" bag...without the powder horn!

I agree and I have one. It works well enough, I just thought this might contain the clips better. I wasn't sure if I would actually use this as a chest rig, but I figured it has four straps off the back that could be configured a lot of ways. Just having one satchel or rig with 22 clips seems like a fine idea to me.

You could always figure out how to wrap it around the butt stock or hang from the belt on the left side.