Wanted: '37 Pattern shoulder strap

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Agreed!! I'd be happy to find a single or pair of regular straps that matches the style as shown. Harnesses for wireless sets seems to be ether a confusing double set of straps or two straps that are the same as used on small and large packs. The later used a simple brass buckle to fix the brass hook. It's he 'V' and sewn on tab style of shoulder strap that I'm after.

That style of strap just means it wasn't made by Mills Equipment Co., who (I think) were the only people with machinery that could weave variable-width webbing.

It should be possible (and maybe even cheap) to get an unissued pair of pack straps by the same maker, and my RH strap with the ZN.2107 stores code is not actually marked with such, I think it's still got the W.E 37 "AA" stores code printed on it.

Chris.

[Ed Storey]

The ZA code indicates that this Shoulder Straps was used with wireless or mine detecting equipment. The code number will reference to the specific piece of equipment it was issued with.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

The ZA code indicates that this Shoulder Straps was used with wireless or mine detecting equipment. The code number will reference to the specific piece of equipment it was issued with.

Thanks Ed. It came attached to a W/T 22 set but appears to be a regular L strap in every way other than the ZA number. Perhaps the difference was that it would have come with a buckle and brass hook at the 1" lower end. I'd settle for a regular one in lieu of a correctly marked one just to complete the set.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Thanks Ed. It came attached to a W/T 22 set but appears to be a regular L strap in every way other than the ZA number. Perhaps the difference was that it would have come with a buckle and brass hook at the 1" lower end. I'd settle for a regular one in lieu of a correctly marked one just to complete the set.

Did the set come with the later pattern waist belt? (If not, it will be something of a pig to wear.)

The WS22 Identification List has the whole assembly as "Braces, Carrying, No.1 Mk.II as follows:

Z1/ZA.21524 Belts, Waist, No.2
Z1/ZA.27917 Braces, L.H., No.2
Z1/ZA.27916 Braces, R.H., No.2
Z1/ZA.12593 Hooks, Flat, 1-in

and then (annotated n.p. for Not Provisioned)

AA.0374 Buckles, Brass, 1-in
AA.1711 Straps, Shoulder, Haversack, W.E. Pattern, '37 Left
AA.1712 Straps, Shoulder, Haversack, W.E. Pattern, '37 Right


Going by the line drawing, the haversack straps come with both buckles fitted, and I think the list is incorrect as the 1-in buckle (marked n.p.) is shown with the waistbelt - I think it should be the flat hooks marked n.p.instead, as that would make rather more sense.

Chris.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Thanks again Chris. Your information is sorting this out for me. At the risk of hijacking my own thread I took these pics. It seems the original harness was unique to radio sets but was later simplified to use standard '37 Pattern L straps. The mine detector uses L straps as well except they have extra web tabs that I think may be for an additional chest strap.

Here's pics of the set-up on a No.4 Mine Detector, Supply Unit No.5, Wireless Set No.18 (no numbers on the straps but marked M.E.Co. 1942) and the 22 set harness I'm trying to complete.

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

Did the set come with the later pattern waist belt? (If not, it will be something of a pig to wear.)

The WS22 Identification List has the whole assembly as "Braces, Carrying, No.1 Mk.II as follows:

Z1/ZA.21524 Belts, Waist, No.2
Z1/ZA.27917 Braces, L.H., No.2
Z1/ZA.27916 Braces, R.H., No.2
Z1/ZA.12593 Hooks, Flat, 1-in

and then (annotated n.p. for Not Provisioned)

AA.0374 Buckles, Brass, 1-in
AA.1711 Straps, Shoulder, Haversack, W.E. Pattern, '37 Left
AA.1712 Straps, Shoulder, Haversack, W.E. Pattern, '37 Right


Going by the line drawing, the haversack straps come with both buckles fitted, and I think the list is incorrect as the 1-in buckle (marked n.p.) is shown with the waistbelt - I think it should be the flat hooks marked n.p.instead, as that would make rather more sense.

Chris.