Suspenders, Individual Equipment
General Information
Name: Suspenders, Individual Equipment.
Country of Origin: Singapore.
Date of manufacture: 1990.
Manufacturer: Johsen Equipment Co PTE LTD.
Singapore Stock Number (SSN): 8465-32-001-1997J.
Contract Number: CMM 9000469 AL.
Colour: Deep Bronze Green.
Equipment Family: Yet to be identified.
Size: One size fits all (OSFA).
Weight: 290gm.
Waterproof: No.
History
The Singaporean Suspenders, Individual Equipment, formed the main support component of the Singapore Armed Forces Individual Equipment (Web) system. They were introduced as a modernized replacement for the earlier canvas suspenders issued from the 1960s through to the early 1980s and formed part of a new nylon equipment system adopted by the Singapore Armed Forces.
The suspenders were also popular with New Zealand soldiers stationed in Singapore and often found their way into New Zealand webbing sets. Many soldiers preferred them as the shoulder straps were narrower than those found on the U.S. M-1956 and ALICE suspenders issued to New Zealand personnel, making them more comfortable to wear when carrying a Large ALICE Pack.
Like many other components of the Singaporean Individual Equipment system, the suspenders reflected a practical approach to equipment design, combining proven features from several foreign load-bearing systems into a durable and lightweight nylon configuration suited to tropical conditions.
The suspenders remained in service until the early 1990s, when Singapore began replacing the traditional webbing system with a skeleton vest-type load-bearing system based on the Israeli Ephod design.
Description
The suspenders are fabricated from deep bronze-green polypropylene and nylon materials.
The main body of the suspenders is constructed from woven nylon webbing on the outer side and green nylon cloth on the underside, with foam padding sandwiched between the two layers for comfort. The padded shoulder sections are approximately 35 cm long and 55 mm wide.
The rear section of the harness is fabricated from two layers of woven nylon webbing, forming a flat reinforced base. Sewn to the upper section is a woven nylon webbing hanger designed to support a U.S. M-1910 wire hanger, allowing the entrenching tool and cover to be carried on the rear of the harness. The rear base section incorporates a British Pattern 1944-style three-bar buckle on each side for attaching the rear adjustment straps, each measuring approximately 35 cm in length.
Each shoulder section features a hook-and-loop retaining tab positioned midway along the strap and, further down, a metal D-ring used to support the Pouch, Ammunition supporting strap. At the lower end of each shoulder section is another three-bar buckle for attaching the front adjustment straps, which are approximately 35 cm long.
The harness is fitted with four adjustable woven nylon webbing straps, two at the front and two at the rear. These are adjusted at the harness using three-bar buckles and at the lower end with U.S. style four-bar buckles. The free ends are fitted with ALICE-style attachment hooks, allowing the suspenders to be secured to the belt and adjusted from either end. Of note, the free end of each upper adjustment strap is retained against the front of the harness by passing through a metal D-ring, preventing excess webbing from hanging loose during use.
Examples
Example One
ASMO Number: 2414-702-46100.
