Mervyn Mitton Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Sorry the previous post didn't open - in the middle of downloading, GMIC went 'off' line for a few minutes. Needed Rick to put things right !!!This is the Infantry bandolier for the British Lee Metford rifle - Boer War period. (1899-1902). The ammo. was .303 and each compartment held five rounds - with the points projection through holes in the bottom. There were 8 compartments - i.e. 40 rounds. The bandolier could be worn crosswise round one shoulder, or, around the waist. There were other patterns of cross belts - the cavalry wore a quite different type - I don't have one now and perhaps someone could show them ? The overall length was 38 inches (97cm) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Sorry the previous post didn't open - in the middle of downloading, GMIC went 'off' line for a few minutes. Needed Rick to put things right !!!This is the Infantry bandolier for the British Lee Metford rifle - Boer War period. (1899-1902). The ammo. was .303 and each compartment held five rounds - with the points projection through holes in the bottom. There were 8 compartments - i.e. 40 rounds. The bandolier could be worn crosswise round one shoulder, or, around the waist. There were other patterns of cross belts - the cavalry wore a quite different type - I don't have one now and perhaps someone could show them ? The overall length was 38 inches (97cm)I think I recall that there was a short-lived WEBBING bandolier issued. The story that I remember was that they were prone to stretching - possibly meant to be used oncwe but in fact got refilled? - and that Boer commandos following British columns could glean the cartridges which slipped out of the British bandoliers. Has anyone else heard such a tale, or are all those cane toads I licked in my youth for a cheap high coming back to muddle my middle-aged brain? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 There was a canvas version - don't know if your history is correct - perhaps someone can tell us ? The Boers Mauser cartridge belt was very similar to the British - I always have to look twice - must see if we have one. I thought cane toads were only in Aussie - did we have them in West Africa??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share Posted July 3, 2009 Found this Boer War picture of a rare Rhodesian unit wearing either this bandolier - or, the cavalry version. However, I think it looks like this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chacho72 Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 I take this in a item group in Japan, i'm very courious why it was so far respect South Africa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 Chaco Interesting question! Many collectors and ALL military quartermasters have an iron clad rule: Never through ANYTHING away! Even if you don't know what it is. The bandolier have gone through a half dozen official and semi-official hands - Singapore militia? Hong Kong defence force? - before being finally marked off the books. Or, it may have gone straight from SA to Japan in the possession of a veteran of that war. Either would make a great tale but, sadly, almost impossible to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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