TOPIC:

Neville reported "Rendall Underwood made, Pattern 1889 (MkII LOC 8782), Mounted Infantry, 50 .303 round Bandolier. Named to W.A Ingram, number E 517."

Rendall Underwood = Made in Birmingham.

About the time they made the bandolier they were receiving lots of mentions in Cycling Magazine as makers of leather saddles and leather carriers to attach to bicycle frames.

Graces Guide notes they were exhibitors at the 1922 British Industries Fair where they exhibited ladies handbags, toilet cases, travelling requisites, jewel cases, letter cases and purses manufactured at their Albion Works, Granville Street, Birmingham and made out of “Morocco, catskin, velvet, hide and solid leather”.

Use with the cadets could well be the reason for the small number of pouches and reduction in overall length. Thank you.

Kaapse Rebel wrote: I can also not open no. 21. Quite the shame.

The reason for the error message for no 21 is that the link is incorrect. It reads :
www.angloboerwar.com/images/pdf/OVSAC_20...rWarBandoliersII.pdf .

It should actually read : www.angloboerwar.com/images/pdf/OVSAC_21...rWarBandoliersII.pdf .

If you click on the link, wait for the error message, then change 20 to 21 in the address bar at the top of the screen, and click on it, the file should load and open.

Or click on Arthur’s second link:
www.angloboerwar.com/images/pdf/OVSAC_21...rWarBandoliersII.pdf

I happened to recieve a short roller buckle bandolier, such as the one discussed previously, as a Christmas gift, and through being able to examine it in person, I believe I that I have discovered why it has so many odd features.
I believe that this bandolier is in fact not a bandolier, but rather a waist belt. All of the bandolier's unique features point to this being the case. The items over all short length, roller buckle, and thin and long adjusting fastening strap are features not really seen on bandoliers of the period. Further, an odd Method of keeping the long fastening strap in place is designed into the bandolier. There is a slot just opposite the buckle through which excess length of the fastening strap is put, to reach a little leather band (a similar band is often seen on leather belts) Under which the fastening strap slides and is kept in place. The use of a roller buckle would then make sense, as such a buckle would be more suitable for use on a strap which can be adjusted quickly while on the wearer.

After I first thought that the item might be a belt, I held it around my waist to see whether the length of the item would allow use as a belt, and indeed, the item does fit as a belt, and fits so well as a belt that it seems that it is the intended purpose of the item.

To further discuss the origin of the item, after careful inspection and cleaning of the peace, no stamps or markings could be found, and the laces seen on Pat. 1901 bandoliers are not seen on this item. The presence of strengthening strips (as discussed in OVSAC 21 Boer bandoliers, only seen on boer mauser bandoliers) inside the pockets hint at this piece possibly being of Boer Republican origin. It also seems that the item was purpose made, and not converted from another bandolier, for use as a belt, due to there being more such examples of this item. (The rivets used to hold the pouches in place would also not have allowed the removal of pouches while still having the width of the fastening strap)

I have attached photos of the fastening system and the “bandolier's” length compared to that of a regular belt.

Thank you:
J.I.W








..

Hi Neville,

Here is my contribution to this thread on bandoliers.

I have one to Power and Son made in 1901 to a regimental number 5808.

It’s very neat as you can see the impression of the cartridges in each of the pouches as it was carried in the field.

It looks very similar to the first example in your picture; the buckle itself is almost identical.

Thanks,
Shaun