Collectible 1908 Pattern Web Equipment
The 1908 Pattern Web Infantry Equipment (also known as '08 Webbing' or P08 Webbing) was an innovative type of webbing equipment adopted by the British Army before World War I.
The 1908 equipment, when fully assembled, formed a single piece, and could be put on or taken off like a jacket. Ammunition was stored in two sets of pouches attached to the belt at the front, and the straps from these passed over the shoulders, crossing diagonally at the back. The large pack, or "valise", or the haversack could be attached to these diagonal straps, thus spreading their weight. The "D" shaped buckles and the strap ends were made of brass. The whole set consisted of:
- One belt, three inches (76 mm) wide
- Two braces, two inches (51 mm) wide
- Two cartridge pouch sets, each set consisting of five pouches and each pouch holding three five-round stripper clips; 150 rounds of rifle ammunition in total.
- One bayonet frog (a tubular carrier which connected the bayonet scabbard to the belt)
- One water bottle and carrier
- One haversack
- One valise
- Two valise straps
- One entrenching tool with separate carriers for the head and helve
The equipment could be configured in two different ways; for "Full Marching Order" the valise was worn on the back and the haversack was worn hanging at the left hip. In "Battle Order" which was intended to be worn in combat, the valise was detached and the haversack was attached to the back in its place, connected to the ammunition pouches by separate straps.
