2-gallon can webbing

[David DeWeese]

Hi,

Was offered this recently, with the owner stating that this webbing was an accessory for the 2-gallon water can used for a Vickers MG. If so, what was it's purpose?

Any information greatly appreciated.

Thanks, David

[lssah2025]

The design came into being because the 2-Gallon cans were used extensively as water condenser cans for the Vickers Medium Machine Guns and this facilitated a means of the fighting soldier to transport the needed can with water to the front while being hands free to still use his personal weapon if needed. Fairly rare and well documented in the books Saddle Up and Equipment of the WWII Tommy from the series by David Gordon "http://visualcollector.com/"

[Mike Cecil]

Very unusual item.

Can't quite read the markings, David - is that 'CGHF' as the maker's mark?

Could you provide an interpretation of the makers marking, please?

Thanks

Mike

[David DeWeese]

Thanks for the great information, Issah2025. I really do appreciate it!

So this webbing provided more places to secure and carry the can aside from the handle? I kind of thought the same, but also thought it might be missing some sort of hook or strap used for that purpose..

Hello Mike,
A militaria friend bought two of these lately and offered one to me. He said it was something I would really want for my Vickers display. I haven't bought it yet as I was unsure of it's authenticity and purpose. It's also a bit pricey at $125, which seems too much for a simple piece of skeletal web gear...

Having said that, the photos he sent me, and I posted here, are all I have..

Thanks, David

[Mike Cecil]

No problem, David, just would have been interesting to know.

Mike

[horsa]

Probably worth getting at $125 if you need one. I've had them in inventory on my sales page for about 10 years and sell them for $150 each. In fact just sent one to a collector in Norway this past Thursday. I'm down to 2-3 of them and have never seen anyone else with them in quantities.

Also to add to Lance's description of use, it can fasten into the soldier's webbing in place of his normal water bottle which could go into a pack temporarily. They would disconnect it from the webbing of course when setting up the weapon for use so you aren't missing anything. Optionally though a single brace could be used with it so the water can could be slung over the shoulder.

These were an Australian design.

[Mike Cecil]

What markings do yours have, please David?

Mike

[horsa]

Hey Mike, Mine are virtually identical to the one that David DeWeese posted photos on. Since he says that one is in Texas, its possible/probable that it originated from my batch since I'm in Texas and have have sold them at the local militaria fairs in Dallas and Ft. Worth over the years and is in in Plano on the outskirts of those towns.

Of the three I have remaining, they all have M /|\ 13 along with D/|\D 1945 in the purple ink used by the Aussies during the war. I've had them with the green and black ink as well which they also used but don't have an examples anymore to say if they had the same maker markings which are O.&H.H. I've never researched the maker so don't know anything about the company.

[Euan McDonald]

I found a NOS with tag attached.