Pouch, Ammunition, Large
General Information
Name: Pouch, Ammunition, Large, 8-1/4in By 4in By 3in Deep, Olive Drab.
Country of Origin: Australia.
Manufacturer: Yet to be identified.
Date of manufacture: c1969.
NATO Stock Number (NSN): 8465-66-026-1864.
Colour: Olive Drab (OD).
Equipment Family: M-1956 Web Equipment (Aust).
Number Of compartments: One.
Volume Capacity: 2L.
Weight: 400gms.
Size:
Height- 21.5cm.
Width- 10.5cm.
Length- 8cm.
Waterproof: No.
Similar Objects
History
The Pouch, Ammunition, Large, measuring 8-1/4in by 4in by 3in deep and colored olive drab, was created by the Australian Army in 1968 as part of their improved M-1956 Web Equipment. It continued to be used until it was eventually replaced in 1988.
During the Vietnam War, Australian patrolling methods were distinct from American methods in several ways. One key difference was the need for limited resupply as this would give away a patrol’s position. Thus, soldiers required larger ammunition pouches to carry more ammunition. However, it was discovered that the U.S. issue Case, Small Arms, Ammunition could only hold about half of what was needed. As an interim measure, the Australian army issued the 37-Pattern (AUST) and, in some cases, the 44-Pattern basic pouches until a more suitable ammunition pouch could be designed.
The Pouch continued to be issued until around 1988 with minor design changes. It was trialed in the Disruptive Pattern Combat Uniform DPCU camouflage pattern as a potential ammunition pouch during the early trial phase of the M-1988 ICLCE system. However, it failed because Australia no longer needed an ammunition pouch capable of holding magazines of different sizes. Eventually, it was replaced by the Pouch, Ammunition, Steyr.
Description
Fabricated from olive green polyester and cotton blended canvas, the Pouch features an adjustable back supporting strap, side-keeper attachments, and a lid with a webbing pull-tab closure. The sides have a strap and loop arrangement that holds a grenade on each side. The front face has a plastic spacer board on the internal side to protect the contents. Experience had shown that grenade rings left exposed could be removed by jungle foliage. Therefore, soldiers carried their grenades in the ammo pouches and used the straps to carry a Toggle Rope.
Examples
Example One
Object Number: 2421-360-36122.
Example Two
Example two, produced in 1988 by Cantas, represents a slight iteration of the Pouch, Ammunition, Large. The design has largely remained consistent, with the primary change being the supporting strap. In this iteration, the strap was updated to a wider 25mm dark khaki polyester webbing and fitted with a plastic triglide buckle for easier adjustment. This modification was made to allow the strap to double as the front adjustment strap of the web suspenders, effectively eliminating the need for two separate webbing straps on the front of the M-1956 web set
Object Number: 2421-360-44101.
