Derk’s new Universal carrier Mk 1*

[derk derin]

Today I was back at the sewing machine. Another seemingly simple job took me hours to do! First attempt at sewing the pouch together left the side strip an inch short so I had to cut all my stitching and do it a second time.
The second attempt went way better when I extended the piece by an inch. Then when I was done I realized I sewed the panels on backwards so had to cut all the stitching again. Go upstairs for a coffee break and then try again for the 3rd time. I finally got it right so I had the confidence to make my second one! Now that they’re both done (with the wooden inserts) I have to go find some strips of leather tomorrow so I can finish off the leather edging.
I used old duffle bags for material and didn’t want to waste the Cbroadarrow stamp so I cut out the pattern so it would show inside the flap.
There’s no doubt that 2 Boyes magazines fit well into this pouch. I knew I would never find spare Boyes magazines so I cut apart an old metal shelf and fabricated a couple dummy mags to store in the pouch.

[David Dunlop]

Nice sewing, Derk.

What was the normal issue of Boyes Magazines on the Universal Carriers and did they carry extra bulk rounds?


David

[rob love]

In the manual the carrier platoon in the infantry battalion it specifies that only one anti tank rifle was issued per 3 carriers of each section. There was a total of 4 sections per platoon along with a platoon commanders carrier and a recce carrier. As well, there was an assortment of motorcycles.

I have war establishment manuals somewhere which will better detail the issues and entitlement for weapons and possibly ammunition.

Notable also is that each section got one 2 inch mortar.

[derk derin]

Picked up some leather today to finish off the pouches. I had to take them apart again but eventually I was able to sew the leather edging on and add my snaps. Riveted the pouch on the metal mounting plate and they’re ready to install! Another piece of the puzzle done.

[derk derin]

I would like to know if there was only 2 spare Boyes magazines in the carrier that was equipped with the anti-tank rifle or if all the carriers had Boyes rifle magazines in the magazine pouch of each carrier and if there was any quantity of .55 Boyes ammunition stored in the ammo bins.

[rob love]

I can't see them putting boys mags in carriers with no boys rifle. The manual does mention at least 6 mags being in the carrier being deployed with the rifle.

If you have one of the magazine boxes and one of the boys bandoleers, try them out in the various storage locations. Afraid my carrier is tucked away in a seaman for the winter so I can't try it myself.

[derk derin]

I went out to the shop and tried fitting the Boys rifle magazine box into the ammo bins but no go! Too wide.
If you say 6 spare magazines were stored then the ammo box that holds 8 magazines is out. It is possible that a set of the Bren auxiliary pouches were used to keep 4 spare magazines and placed in the ammo bin that holds a single set separating it from the bin that holds 2 sets of Bren Auxiliary pouches full of Bren magazines. I believe there is room in one pouch for 2 Boys magazines so a set would hold 4 and the other 2 would be stored in the pouch on the front armour.
Any thoughts to this theory?