BAR magazine chest

[robinb]

These originally came out for use with the Phillips Pack Saddle in the 1930's. Here are a couple marking variations. And yes, that's how the magazines are supposed to be loaded into the chest. Otherwise they are nearly impossible to get a hold of to pull them out.

[robinb]

Two chests were placed in this pack saddle hanger. And the leather BAR carrying case mounted just below them.

[Nack]

Man - you seriously have everything! Too cool. Thanks for letting us get a peek!

[Flightpath]

What a nice set.... Where do you keep your mule?

[sundance]

Really interesting items. I've never run across any of those items so thanks for posting them.

[FIGMO]

I just saw a 1930's U.S Army Phillips saddle listed on Colorado Springs Craigslist site a few minutes ago. It was red in color and the seller said it came from FT. Carson in the early 1940's. The seller said the red color was for dynamite hauling mules. They were asking 400 dollars for it. I wish I could post a link to, it but I can't. Just thought ya'll might like to know about this.

[robinb]

That saddle on craigslist is indeed a Phillips Pack Saddle. I don't know what to make of the red paint though. Maybe that was so the animal wouldn't get mistaken for a deer while out on a hunting trip?

[collector]

Very cool set up

[johnsonlmg41]

I have one of those chests and thanks for the description of how the mags were stacked in there. Also have the case, near new since they probably were obsolete before they were issued, and of course A2's don't fit at all. I am fortunate to have run across this Winchester to stick in the case.

[Charlie Flick]

Wow, what a gorgeous BAR. You ought to open up a thread just on your BAR and tell us more about it. They are pretty scarce here on the Forum.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[robinb]

Mine's a Marlin Rockwell made in April 1919.

[101CH47]

Full auto NESA BAR, serial number puts it around April 43 production.

 

[jim c 351]

Hi, new member here.

Last month my ATF form 4 was approved for a 1918 Winchester BAR, (Browning Machine Rifle).

While waiting on the ATF to approve the transfer I bought a bunch of accessories.

The first was a book by James Ballou titled a "Rock In A Hard Place".

Then came a leather case as pictured in post #2 and an ammo chest as pictured in post #1.

 

Here are some questions, all pertaining to the above items.

Where and when was the leather case and Phillips pack saddle used. Banana wars? Burma? Italy? Philippine Island?

 

Does anyone have any combat pictures of a horse carrying the BAR leather cases?

 

My leather case has only a part #D6065. The case pictured in J Ballou's book has Boyt 43 stamped.

The 1918A2 BAR ,with bipod,was adapted around 1936. I don't believe a bipod gun will fit in the leather case. Why would the US Army adapt a case unsuitable for their new model BAR?

 

Any idea why the ammo chest is marked "Machine Rifle" when the gun started being stamped "Automatic Rifle" in 1919??

Was the ammo chest adapted before 1919??

After the Cavalry was disbanded did the Army use the cases in jeeps and trucks.??

That's all I can think of for now.

Thanks for any help.

Jim C

[jim c 351]

Unfortunately it seems that no one here can answer the questions I asked in post #13.

Can anyone suggest another web site or forum that has people knowledgeable enough to answer my questions about the Phillip's Pack Saddle ???

Thanks,

Jim C

[Charlie Flick]

Hello Jim:

 

Sorry you couldn't get the answers you needed here. Some of the information you seek is fairly esoteric.

 

As an alternative, you might try posing your questions over at the Military Horse site:

http://www.militaryhorse.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=8247835eff4da447c7cee9fe8b1d342c

 

Hope that helps you.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[jim c 351]

Charlie,

Thanks for suggestion. I'll give it at try later today.

Is robinb still active on this forum??

I'm surprised robinb didn't know the answer to even one question.

Thanks again.

Jim C

[robinb]

Phillips pack saddles were used in Burma and Italy. The leather case for the BAR was meant for anti aircraft use in pack artillery units. I have not seen any photos of it in use. And I'm am anti aircraft roll a bipod would be useless.

The ammo chest was designed to go on the pack saddle hanger do it had to be no earlier than 1924 when the Phillips was adopted.

The BAR leather case was only used on the pack saddle. Not for sniper rifles or match rifles as some entrepreneurs suggest.

[jim c 351]

robin,

Thank you very much for your information. I have reposted your post on machinegunboard.com.

On Sep 15 I had a BAR display at "THE THOMPSON COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION (TCA).

The leather BAR case and ammo chests were on display and it was embarrassing not to be able to answer questions about these items.

I'll attempt to post a pic of my display.

Thanks again ,

Jim C

[jim c 351]

Here's the pic of my display at the TCA.

Jim C

 

Sorry, doesn't seem to be working.

[Backtheattack]

Great items, thank`s for posting. And a well done display, too.