How were Thompson stick magazines carried in the 1920s?

Posted by xenotrioxin@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 13 comments

Could anyone tell me what kind of mag pouches were used to carry Thompson stick magazines in the 1920s?

Maybe my Google-fu isn't up to par, but I can't find any pictures of mag pouches that are specifically described as being used during that decade.

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Jolly-Put-9634@reddit

On the topic of this..
How did the Brits, and others who used Brit gear (Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians, etc) carry Thompson drum mags during WW2? Thompson stick mags were put in the large pouches on the 37 pattern webbing, obviously, but those weren't large enough for drum mags.... And there is photographic evidence that the Brits and other Commonwealth forces used Thompsons with drum mags, at least early in the war

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SLON_1936@reddit

Only Australia released a drum pouch very similar to the American one, only with two additional side tab flaps on top (folding under the top lid when closed).

The British Army decided to simply use the existing Lewis pouches to carry Thompson drums, two in each. There were enough of them on hand to avoid unnecessary production.

The original idea was for the Thompson to be issued to a two-man team, one of whom would carry the drums in four pouches (as well as his rifle and ammunition in its clip pouches), much like the Lewis gun would have been. It is unknown whether this concept ever made it to the front lines. However, all known photographs of the Thompson show it with a single drum, and spare box magazines in standard pouches.

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Jolly-Put-9634@reddit

Right... Thanks for the info. But still, even if the Thompsons ended up being issued with only one drum mag and the rest box mags, there would've needed to be somewhere to keep the drum mag when swtiching to the box mags?

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catonbuckfast@reddit

I think they used the same L drum mag haversack as the USMC. Although the pictures I have seen aren't very clear. Unless they were issued only one drum and the rest as sticks.

I know that if you put 4 20 round mags in a long 38 pattern pouch they are difficult to get out as they get lost due to the length and you can't put the required bren mag in it as well. (The reason for the large size of the pouch)

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Jolly-Put-9634@reddit

There's an illustratrion and short description on http://karkeeweb.com/patterns/1937/1937_associated_equipment_attached.html of a "Stores Ref. A1/AA 1501 Pouch, magazine, C.M.T." - however, as mentioned in the article, this does not seem to have any way to actually attach to the gear, and seems to have been carried in pairs with a strap around the neck (speculation). Seems impractical and heavy...

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The straw color of the webbing is indicative of pre-WWII commercial pouches available through Auto-Ordnance Corporation. The early war manufactured pouches were generally light shade OD # 3. As previously stated, many commercial pouches were purchased by the military prior to the US entering the war. Most of the commercial drum pouches manufactured in the 1930's were made by Russell Manufacturing Co. (RUSCO). The earlier drum pouches from the late 1920's were made by Mills and have a different buckle and end-tab arrangement on the strap. The lack of markings on these earlier pouches does not necessarily designate USMC, although many could have been purchased for USMC use.

I also seem to have come across information that the first commercial pouches for the Thompson were available as early as 1922, but this is from memory and therefore not necessarily accurate.

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catonbuckfast@reddit

Don't forget it's only 20 round mags at this time.

They appear to be just a normal bag/haversack for the USMC when they were guarding the post trains in the 1920s. something like this although probably shorter There was a similar bag for the L drum mags

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xenotrioxin@reddit (OP)

Thank you!

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