RRA227 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I was wondering if anybody knew what this pouch was used for. I could see some marks like these.. H IAB HAM 1922 Thanks,Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 (edited) I was wondering if anybody knew what this pouch was used for. I could see some marks like these.. H IAB HAM 1922 Thanks,RichI think it may be for a compass - meant to go on a Sam Browne or wide web belt. It's just possible that the "IA" refers to the (British) Indian Army, though the leather is an odd colour. I would have expected a dark brown to match a Sam Browne if it was an issue piece. But then an officer's compass case from that period might very well be private purchase, hance the lack of broad arrow marks or numbers other than the date. Might even be a civilian piece. Did it come with other (military) items?Peter Edited February 27, 2009 by peter monahan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRA227 Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 Peter,Thanks for the help. It was in a plastic bin at a gun show I was at. Everything in the bin was $5. It was a mix of stuff. Thanks for the idea it may be a compass pouch and Indian Army. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Peter,Thanks for the help. It was in a plastic bin at a gun show I was at. Everything in the bin was $5. It was a mix of stuff. Thanks for the idea it may be a compass pouch and Indian Army. RichRick Sounds military then. Free advice is worth what you pay for it, but in this case you can likely CALL it whatever you want and nobody will say you nay! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I dont think it is a compass case. Maybe no broad arrow, but surely private purchase usually would not have IA and date?Is the ruler in inches or cm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRA227 Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 Peter,I'll call it a compass pouch. It was to neat to not buy for $5. It was tagged as 1870s British pouch. Chris,The scale in the pic is metric. Thanks! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Hi,is there any impression on the inside?15cm seems to be way big for a compass pouch. by 1922 there were standard compasses with their own pouches. Maybe for a weapon part of some sort? Or revolver ammo?I will check my WW1 uniforms and equip book tonight.BestChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRA227 Posted March 1, 2009 Author Share Posted March 1, 2009 Chris,Nope. No marks. But it has a small flap inside. Thanks for the help! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Going through uniforms and equipment of the British Army WW1 it seems to be a Pouch for Webley rounds. In the photos of the MPs and other units with pistols they all seem to have had this on the belt.BestChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 Going through uniforms and equipment of the British Army WW1 it seems to be a Pouch for Webley rounds. In the photos of the MPs and other units with pistols they all seem to have had this on the belt.BestChrisChrisI think you're right - ther extra flap is common on earlier Br ammunition pouches, to keep out rain, and keep rounds from falling out when the top flap is tucked back for use. Compass was just a guess based on apparent size and shape. Don't know why I didn't think of ammunition. The other possibility for ammo., especially if it was advertised as "1870s" is that it held percussion caps for the Snider Enfield and other percussion rifles. Going through the one source easily accessible to me I can't find a picture of one, but again, the size and shape would be about right. Either way it's a nice early piece of British kit, although again the lack of broad arrow is a puzzle if its meant for Other Ranks. So the balance of probability is towards officer's private purchase IMO.PeterPS - Chris - how long are you in Toronto for this time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRA227 Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 Chris,Thanks for the help.Peter, There are holes next to where the straps are on the rear. Maybe it had new straps rivited on the back. Thanks! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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