Military gear question

[Zxyrthe]

I just bought a couple guns from my great uncle and he threw in a box of misc. items. Among the items were these "pouches". Can anyone tell me what they are?

They have what look like pretty hardy belt clips on the back of each.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nue2farm]

The one on the left looks like a ammo clip pouch. The one on the right helt a shovel, or as they were known "an entrenching tool". They are handy for many uses..........

 

[SimS]

The one on the right is for a shovel er.... Entrenching Tool.

SimS

 

[Zxyrthe]

Thanks for the quick replies. (I knew this was the right place to ask about them).

He's a WWII vet but couldn't remember what they were used for. I'm not sure if these were his during the war or something he picked up later. The ammo clip case is clearly a synthetic material while the entrenchment tool case is heavy canvas. I'm not sure if that helps date them but they're both in really great shape. Seeing as how I don't have an entrenchment tool or ammo clip, I'll just tuck these away for now.

 

[clemsonfor]

Yep id say the one on right held stripper clips or modern clips, i did not blow it up. I definitly know the right holds a shovel, id say its vietnam era to maybe the 90's. I work on military bases and find these from time to time, modern ones i think at least some of them are in a rubber material. I know this cause the only complete one i have found in case and all had a rubber case that it was in. I keep it in my 4wd truck behind the seat in case i need and emergency shovel.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

The one on the left looks like a 3 mag holder for M-16 30 round mags.

 

[Zxyrthe]

Now I just need to score a M-16 and an entrenching tool.

 

[clemsonfor]

I use to find the m-16 mags on post all the time while in the woods doing forestry work. Still find a stray one from time to time, this was during the ban and this stuff was worth some money!

 

[dmccarty]

I use to find the m-16 mags on post all the time while in the woods doing forestry work. Still find a stray one from time to time, this was during the ban and this stuff was worth some money!

Shoot, those mag's are still expensive! Especially if the mag is filled with ammo.

Later,
Dan

 

[dodge man]

They appear to be ALICE items from what you describe as the clips on the back. ALICE stands for All Purpose Light Infranty Carrying Equipment or something close to that. The one on the left carrys three 30 round M16 mags as others have said but also has pockets for two hand grenades. ALICE equipment has been replaced with MOLLE equipement in the last few years. Don't ask me what MOLLE stands for.