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Post by lew on May 22, 2015 8:58:34 GMT -5
So, I'm piecing together one last Indo-period belt. I already have two Mle. 50 TAP belts with the assorted TAP equipment and Mle. 51 canteens.
I want this one to be a little different, a transitional example, if you will. I'm going with a US M1936 belt, M1942 first aid pouch, TAP Mle. 50 suspenders, pochettes de chargeurs TAP Mle. 50 or French-made M1 Carbine ammo pouches (if I can find them), and an M1910 canteen and cup.
My question is this: Did any of the USMC canteen cover types see use in Indochina? I want something a little more off-beat than the standard Army cover.
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Post by craigtx on May 22, 2015 9:21:39 GMT -5
Hmmm... Interesting question... Just to make sure I'm lookin' for the right thing, you're talkin' about the USMC cover with the "cross flaps"?
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Post by lew on May 22, 2015 12:20:11 GMT -5
That's the third version. The ones prior had either snaps or LTD fasteners. Evidence for any of the three would be appreciated.
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Post by craigtx on May 23, 2015 9:22:18 GMT -5
O.K., I'll keep my eyes open for 'em.
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Post by lew on May 28, 2015 8:02:25 GMT -5
I decided to go with a British P44 cover. I'm still undecided as to weather I'll stuff a P44 or an M1910 canteen in it.
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Post by craigtx on May 29, 2015 13:45:41 GMT -5
Good luck on findin' a reasonably priced P44...
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Post by lew on May 29, 2015 17:03:24 GMT -5
I found a beat yet usable one on eBay, but I'd still be out a canteen cup. So, I'll probably just grab an M1910 canteen.
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Post by craigtx on May 30, 2015 11:36:30 GMT -5
I'm quie fond of the ol' "L" handled cups. I like 'em a lot better than the current wire handled models.
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Post by lew on May 30, 2015 17:02:05 GMT -5
I find the wire loops much easier to cook with and much more stable, but to each their own. I think the Mle. 52 canteen setup was the epitome of the metal canteen.
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Post by craigtx on May 31, 2015 10:51:59 GMT -5
<shrug> YMMV... Now I do like the Mle 52 as well, in spite of the wire handles. The wider mouth is a fine design improvement.
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Post by Étienne on Aug 12, 2015 14:49:59 GMT -5
a bit late to this party, but...
My favorite canteen is the Brit P44. I've owned several of them, especially lately, but even I sell them (on eBay) as a set for rather big $. GPC used to sell them for $6 up to a few years ago, and they still have the Danish ones (they have a green plastic cap) in stock. WPG has nearly mint first version (with the chain) ones for $30.
Brit P44 covers used to be big $ but they've been coming up on eBay lately for $10-20 each or so, and they're mint and dated 1945. A guy in California bought a big lot of them (well, 20 or 50 or some number around there) for about $3 each and I think he just finished selling them for $15 each or two for $25. And, there are a few places in the UK that are selling repro ones for five pounds plus shipping. The cups are the hardest to find, and I've had several unissued 1945 dated ones but have paid $25+ each for them when I can find them. I myself use a Mle 52 French aluminum cup as they're cheap and they can be beat into form to fit a P44 canteen.
I've never seen the WWII USMC covers (any of the three types) used in photos of Indochina, but who knows. I'd think they would have worn out in USMC service since they are quite flimsy so perhaps they weren't even deemed worth providing as military aid.
I feel the best bet would be to get a repro WWI or WWII US cover from a reputable dealer, so it can be used for US reenacting as well. Original WWII canteens are cheap these days, I've even found them for $1 at thrift stores and flea markets; heck, I was paying the same price for them 25 years ago that they are selling for online now. So, you might as well get one of them for no other reason than to have a backup.
I would typically say that original French Mle 51 covers are hard to find or you'll end up paying $ for shipping from Europe, but they've been coming up on eBay a lot lately for reasonable prices for some odd reason! I've seen five or six in the past week (heck, I'm bidding on one right now!).
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Post by Étienne on Aug 12, 2015 15:43:47 GMT -5
BTW, speaking of French canteen covers (and I'm asking this because I'm too lazy to search through former forum posts!), when exactly did the snaps (not the LAD's) start being used on the Mle 51 covers? Is that type of cover appropriate for Indo? I've seen one dated 1956, but...
Thanks!
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Post by lew on Aug 12, 2015 18:41:56 GMT -5
I think I've seen some snaps in the last days of Indo, but I can't be certain. The Mle. 51 canteen was in use up until 1960-1961, so new, improved covers had to be made. Unfortunately, both of mine have the snaps, and the LTD ones aren't easy to find, so I'm stuck with what I have.
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Post by Étienne on Aug 12, 2015 20:29:10 GMT -5
A militaria dealer in France has (had?) covers and even complete canteen sets. I believe the earlier Mle 51 covers with the LTD fasteners were around $15-20 each last I checked (and about $10 shipping). www.selles-military-antiques.com/frI read somewhere sometime ago (perhaps on this forum) that people were converting the snaps to the LTD for authenticity (or coolness) purposes. It's not too hard if you have the setting tool. There are several sources of suitable LTD fasteners, including ATF: www.atthefrontshop.com/searchresults.asp?cat=302 or various eBay dealers like www.ebay.com/usr/northwesttarpandcanvasThe LTDs on my original cover look like cheapos compared to the US style LTDs though and are not blackened like the USGI type, they're more like anodized blackish-silver Forgot to add earlier that for some reason, my favorite "look" with regards to canteens is a French Mle 51 cover with a Brit P44 canteen! |
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Post by Étienne on Aug 12, 2015 20:33:08 GMT -5
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Post by craigtx on Aug 12, 2015 21:19:10 GMT -5
I just scored a P44. In very good shape, with cup and a practically mint cover. I prolly paid too much for it, but the set was in such good shape that I couldn't pass it up.
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Post by Étienne on Aug 13, 2015 6:56:40 GMT -5
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Post by lew on Aug 13, 2015 8:28:51 GMT -5
Interesting. They also have a sweater, too.
I'll ask my contact about the matter and see what he says.
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Post by Étienne on Aug 13, 2015 12:42:28 GMT -5
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Post by Étienne on Aug 13, 2015 17:40:56 GMT -5
  Although, it would be cool to make a "local" M1 Carbine pouch out of a repro US WWII one! |
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Post by lew on Aug 14, 2015 11:37:57 GMT -5
I have one or two French-made Carbine pouches. I can't remember if they have the D-rings or not and all my French crap is packed away for now. The color is a bit more toward teal green like the FSA Mle. 49 locally-made cleaning kit I have, and that readily sets it apart from the various shades of US production. Carbine pouches are a dime a dozen, so go for it (after you make me my hat ).  |
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