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1942 EVAGRIP??

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Accessories
Forum Description: Slings, Bandoleers and any other Accessories for the Enfields
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12704
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 6:21pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: 1942 EVAGRIP??
Posted By: Goosic
Subject: 1942 EVAGRIP??
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 2:17pm
I have a leather bandolier that I had assumed was from WWI or worn by a Tusken Raider in a Star Wars movie. (It looks like it was worn the same way you would wear an old gun rig.) I was at my storage facility today looking for an item when I saw it again and decided to bring it home and clean it. I never noticed the U with an arrow inside of it or the 1942 date or that it was made by EVAGRIP, whoever that may be. Regardless of all that, would anyone here know who EVAGRIP is and, is it worth anything to a collector?...



Replies:
Posted By: Marco1010
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 2:31pm
If you note the curved nature of the belt, its for use as a horse bandoleer.
Similar ones were used by mounted rifle troops in WW1.  It looks like it may have been modified a bit, perhaps shortened.



Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 2:36pm
Shortened enough that it has to be cinched up to the second to the last hole to stay around my waist. The leather is really soft as well so it is very plausible that it was indeed used on a horse...



Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 2:45pm
Originally posted by Marco1010 Marco1010 wrote:

If you note the curved nature of the belt, its for use as a horse bandoleer.
Similar ones were used by mounted rifle troops in WW1.  It looks like it may have been modified a bit, perhaps shortened.

Just found an online photo of an original WWI horse bandolier and the one I have looks to have been highly modified to fit a human. Mine is also missing all kinds of metal bits too...


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 7:06pm
that was used in south africa in WWII if its real , i cant imagine anyone forging such a thing but then who knows ? i should think you could research that mfgr to find if they were producing military goods in that era , the marking looks authentic to me but im not at all educated in the siuth african suppliers or their gear , i like it , looks genuine to me 


Posted By: Marco1010
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 8:21pm
I think its either replica for WW1 rein-actors or I have seen similar bandoleers for starwars cosplay (jawas had them).
It looks too new especially the buckles etc.

The idea of them is that the mounted trooper had access to more ammo on the horse, in a hurry it could be sling over the shoulder as per the normal leather bandoleer.
I had a similar one  which I sold a while back. Only difference was the belt had 2 rows of holes and a double buckle.   These were often local manufacture in Australia, NZ, Canada, India tec, just made to a standard british war office pattern 1903


Posted By: BJ72
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 9:00pm
I have no knowledge of where the manufacturer EVAGRIP was located. Just because equipment is made from leather doesn’t necessarily mean we should assume it to be WW1 era issue or manufacture. Some Australian units were still issued leather 50 or 90 round 303 bandoleers right up into WW2. The leather sling for the SMLE and leather bayonet frog to take the 1907 bayonet scabbard were also issued to some Australian troops in WW2.  The leather slings, bayonet frogs and bandoleers were still manufactured in Australia well into the 1940’s. The webbing equipment was far more common but leather was definitely still in use. If some Australian forces still used leather equipment in WW2, I’m sure other countries may have as well. Your item may well be a replica, but don’t jump to conclusions too soon. Occasionally, as new, Australian made leather equipment still surfaces here in Aus. it’s normally pricy though. I have a sling dated 1942 with manufacturer mark B&C and a frog dated 1941 with manufacture mark JULIUSGOHN & CO Adelaide. Both items have the Australian D broad arrow D acceptance marks. I’m still looking for a WW2 dated bandoleer I can afford to buy. There’s no shortage of replica kit out there but I’m more into the genuine items. 


Posted By: Marco1010
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 9:21pm
Seems EVAGRIP were a manufacturer of leather luggage, can't see where based, so not such a stretch to imagine they switched during wartime to making leather equipment for the army.
BJ72 is right, could be right up into 1940's  also the 1903 pattern gear was often used by domestic based forces, home guard, training battalions etc. Not necessarily front line troops.
It could be original issue, maybe just later refurbished.


Posted By: Goosic
Date Posted: June 01 2023 at 9:37pm
Marco1010: I found detailed photos of an original EVAGRIP bandolier that shows two buckles on both sides and a triangle shaped D ring in the center. Mine has definitely been cut up and re-purposed for whatever reason by the previous owner...



Posted By: Marco1010
Date Posted: June 02 2023 at 2:13am
Hi Goosic
Well that makes sense then. Pity its been modified. There is heaps of various pattern 1903 accoutrements that were produced as part of the pattern equipment, Its a field of stuff to collect on its own.
Whats interesting is that as most was locally made with contracts let to produce.
And then officers could purchase their own higher quality versions as well.


Posted By: Shamu
Date Posted: June 02 2023 at 3:07pm
It looks like a version of the '03 5 pocket cavalry bandos, but it been modified?
Maybe not, It looks unmodified but the second strap isn't there, they just joined the ends of the original pocket carrier?
https://www.westernleatherholster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Bandolier-1903-2.jpg



-------------
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)


Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: June 04 2023 at 9:25pm
interesting piece , but ill agree it is not WWI , and i question WWII in that its in such good shape - ill agree its a repop for reenactors quite readily , i would also think home guard if WWI used in or made such in WWII era , 



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