TOPIC:

During a recent visit to the Ditsong Museum of Military History, I saw the inclusion of two bandoliers, apparently pat.1902 bandoliers, in Boer war displays. They were being used as supplements for original Boer Mauser Bandoliers. Being very similar to the previously mentioned item, this pat. 1902 bandolier would trick the untrained eye.
The plaques displayed along with these items say that theses bandoliers were produced by the British army for use with Mounted Infantry and saw little to no use in the war due to its late introduction. There is no information that I could find on these pieces of kit online. Does this pattern exist, and if so, did the British army really use them?

Thank you;

J.I.W

There’s a lot of info in the OVSAC monographs no. 20 & 21 see www.angloboerwar.com/other-information/1...280-ovsac-monographs
But I can’t seem to open no. 21, is it just me?

This was posted on the Great War Forum by Toby Brayley. It might suggest that the bandoliers on display are Pattern 1901 and not Pattern 1902?

Leather Bandoliers of the British Army

1. Rendall Underwood made, Pattern 1889 (MkII LOC 8782), Mounted Infantry, 50 .303 round Bandolier. Named to W.A Ingram, number E 517
2. The short lived Pattern 1901 (land), 50 .303 round bandolier.
3. The very rare Pattern 1901 (Naval Accoutrements) Bandolier. 60 Rounds (5 in each pocket) .303, Note how the Royal Navy were preparing for Charger loading. The bandolier pre-dates CL by about 18 months.
4. Mk 1 Pattern 1903 9 pocket, 90 round cavalry bandolier. dated 1903. Note the very short lived Mk1 Buckle.
5. Mk 2 Pattern 1903 9 pocket, 90 round cavalry bandolier. dated 1905. Note the Mk11 Buckle
6. Mk 1 Pattern 1903 5 pocket, 50 round bandolier. dated 1903.
7. Mk 2 Pattern 1903 5 pocket, 50 round bandolier. dated 1906 and marked to the Yorkshire Hussars.




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Indeed I did confuse years. It was the 1901 pattern and not the 1902. Thank you.

I can also not open no. 21. Quite the shame.

A Pattern 1901 bandolier alongside two Boer examples.
The fourth bandolier post-dates the Anglo-Boer War, having UDF markings.

British 1901 Pattern bandolier, for issue to cavalry and mounted infantry. Note slits (4 front, 4 back) to each pocket, to take leather cartridge dividers. Also slit at centre of belt, to take steadying strap. These two characteristics distinguish this belt from the Mauser bandoliers used by the Boers. This bandolier was superseded by a new pattern in 1903.



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