Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1914 - Equipment Carriers

 

Entrenching tool carrier

The Pattern 1914 Entrenching tool carrier was introduced with the Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1914 in List of Changes entry LoC 16977, dated 30th August 1914. It is designed to carry the head of the Pattern 1908 Entrenching (or 'Intrenching') tool, also know as the Sirhind tool. This is the best picture I've found of an early example in Service Brown, and without the added rivets. Better pics, front and rear, would be welcome. From the John Bodsworth Collection, photo © John Bodsworth 2009.

 

 

The Pattern 1914 Entrenching tool carrier was introduced with the Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1914 in List of Changes entry LoC 16977, dated 30th August 1914. It is designed to carry the head of the Pattern 1908 Entrenching (or 'Intrenching') tool, also know as the Sirhind tool. As with all leather parts of the Pattern 1914 Infantry Equipment, the colour was changed from Service Brown to the darker London Brown by List of Changes entry LoC 17219, 31st December 1914, amended 30th March 1915. The same LoC also modified the Carrier by adding six additional rivets around the bottom. This London Brown example has the additional rivets. It is undated and has no maker's mark. A sharp eyed reader has pointed out that the buckles on this this example look as if they once had rollers. I'm not sure exactly what that implies; certainly the piece looks original. If anyone can supply documentation spelling out the details of Patt. '14 buckles, I'd be most grateful.

 

This Entrenching tool carrier is an example of the Pattern 1914 equipment made under contract in the U.S.A. The most obvious difference between British and U.S. made Patt. '14 items is the type of rivets. British pieces were made using the tin plated copper "hose rivets" commonly seen on British military equipment, whilst the American pieces used one piece steel rivets. This example is in the lighter Service Brown colour, but has the later style additional rivets around the bottom. It is maker marked "COOK" and dated 1915. From the Ed Storey Collection. Photographs © Ed Storey 2008.

 

Quite frankly, we're not 100% sure to make of this one. In form, it's a Pattern 1914 Entrenching tool carrier, but with a web bag! There were certainly other Patt. '14 items with web envelopes, such as Haversacks and Packs, but those are clearly documented in the LoC's. We haven't found any List of Changes references to this. In addition, the piece is maker marked "M.W. & S. Ltd." and dated 1916, which is a bit late (although not unprecedentedly so) for Patt. '14 production. The crown fastener is plain, which looks dodgy, but it is true that a number of Wrights made Patt. '08 Intrenching tool carriers with 1916 dates show the same feature. When we look at it, it seems pukkah, and if it was a known form we'd have no problem declaring it genuine. We can state that it WAS made this way; the stitching is clean and the piece has not been modified. Interestingly, it is broad arrow marked.

Details of the front leather chape connection, clearly showing that it has not been modified.

We've just gotten our first comments on this Carrier. KWRT Member Chris Pollendine says that it's "certainly genuine.  Third one I've seen. There are at least two complete sets I know of, of  P14 made entirely out of web, pouches, belt, everything. One is in a museum in France, which I have studied personally; I believe the other is in the IWM, but can't recall for certain. I may have some pics of the French set..." We are looking forward to those pictures. This is great news - can anyone else supply more info?

Let's see - a web copy of a leather copy of Patt. '08, and you certainly don't finish up where you started. Is this the accoutrement version of Chinese Whispers?

 

 

Helve holder

The Pattern 1914 Helve holder was introduced with the Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1914 in List of Changes entry LoC 16977, dated 30th August 1914. It is designed to carry the Helve of the Pattern 1908 Entrenching (or 'Intrenching') tool, also know as the Sirhind tool. The Holder slides over the Bayonet scabbard and buckles to the Frog. The Helve fits into the loops in front of the Scabbard. Except for the colour, the Helve holder remained unchanged throughout its service life. This London Brown example is undated and has no maker's mark.

 

 

Another example of the Patt. '14 Helve holder, this one in the earlier Service Brown colour. This example is maker marked "J.B. Cook & Co." and dated 1915. Interestingly, is made with British style tinned copper hose rivets, not the U.S. steel rivets seen on the Cook made Entrenching tool cover. Evidence suggests that there were two companies named "Cook", both manufacturing Pattern 1914, one British and one American. From the Grant Napier Collection, photographs © Grant Napier 2008.

 

 

An American made example of the Patt. '14 Helve holder. Note the distinctive steel rivets. As is typical of American made Patt. '14 equipment, it is coloured Service Brown. From the Steve Hewitt Collection, photographs © Steve Hewitt 2009.

 

 

 

This picture shows the Frog and Helve holder assembled together with an early "hooked quillon" Pattern 1907 Bayonet and the Pattern 1908 Entrenching tool helve.

 

 

 

Water bottle carrier

The Pattern 1914 Water bottle carrier was introduced with the Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1914 in List of Changes entry LoC 16977, dated 30th August 1914. It is designed to carry the Mk. V or Mk. VI Water bottle. As with all leather parts of the Pattern Pattern 1914 Infantry Equipment, the colour was changed from Service Brown to the darker London Brown by List of Changes entry LoC 17219, 31st December 1914, amended 30th March 1915. Except for the colour, the Water bottle carrier remained unchanged throughout its service life. This London Brown example is undated and has no maker's mark.