'44 Patt Mess Tin / SAS Escape type pouch Country: British Standard Issue To: -
Special Issue To: - Era: 1960-90s Date Of Manufacture: -
An unusual pouch modified by a parachute rigger. It originally was a side pouch on a '44 Patt Small Pack, removed and modified for belt wear.
Near identical to the SAS Escape Pouch, it's my theory that the SAS Escape Pouch was based on these improvised pouches. The Malayan Scouts (later renamed 21 SAS) used Bergens on jungle ops. What other soldiers would normally carry in the issue '44 Small Packs were, for the SAS, instead carried in the much larger bergen - with heaploads more kit. But if the bergen was dumped, SAS soldiers had no issue pouch for an escape and evasion kit. An easy modification to make from the side pouches of the Small Pack, it stands to reason that they had local tailors convert the Small Packs into what later became Escape Pouches. It's well known that they used local tailors to make up bespoke magazine pouches, etc.
This pouch has double row belt loops, exactly like SAS Escape Pouch. (I'll add a comparison picture if I can find one) It can be worn on the belt or "dropped" below. There are no ordnance markings on this item - these would have been on the lid of the Small Pack.
A webbing SAS pouch designed for carrying emergency escape items.
Marked “POUCH RATION ESCAPE”
Made of olive green webbing with quick release faster; two suspension loops; green waterproof lining.
Double Magazine Pouch 8465-99-130-0248
Pouch Ration Escape 8465-99-130-0249
Altimeter Pouch 8465-99130-0250
Double Magazine Pouch 8465-99-130-0248
Pouch Ration Escape 8465-99-130-0249
Altimeter Pouch 8465-99130-0250
Malayan Scouts became 22 SAS c1952 , 21 SAS (Artists) already existed in 1947
ReplyDeleteThanks for your accurate info.
DeleteI'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteI worked out that SAS used the side pockets from the '44 Pack (1st issue) to make bespoke "E&E Ration Pouches" and that these rigger made pouches formed the basis for the issue item. Until now, I've never encountered anyone else who's made that connection. Admittedly, I picked up some rigger converted '44 Pack E&E Ration Pouches (mistaking them as SAS stores genuine issue) BEFORE I'd encountered the factory produced issue SAS item: the subtle difference was only noticeable when making a side-by-side comparison.
In the 1950s, SAS had a lot of rigger made pouches made, often on base. The '44 side pouches were EASY to convert into E&E Pouches: cut them off of the pack, fold down the pack flap and stitch the end of it down to form a belt loop. In all honesty, I didn't make the connection until my mate asked me if he could have my (war dated) '44 Pack (which I was using as a daysack in the mid-1980s) - and, to my horror as a collector, the next time I saw it, it was on his belt in place of Kidney Pouches! Comparing to the unusual (rigger made) E&E Ration Pouches, the penny dropped.
We used to use a centre strand of parachute rigging line to sew our pouches onto our belts: what's now known as "Airborne Webbing". 5 Airborne Brigade was issued - and still getting made by MECo or MW&S - '44 Waterbottle Pouches even in the mid/late 1980s. Shade wise, these match '58 webbing.
We used to pass down kit when we left service. By then, it was in the PLCE era - I think he kept those pouches to use for bushcraft. Worked out really handy when he was homeless - but I think they were found and thieved when he'd stashed them to go into town. I'll ask him next time I see him.