MCDUFF Posted August 4, 2017 Share #1 Posted August 4, 2017 It has taken me about 30 years of searching to finally acquire one of these rare pieces!! Well, it is half actually, as the other half is army US stamped but manufactured also by SF Co in 1941. So looking for the other half now....!!! Happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armysoldierant1944 Posted August 4, 2017 Share #2 Posted August 4, 2017 That is a nice rare bird you have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParanormalTrooper Posted August 4, 2017 Share #3 Posted August 4, 2017 Incredible! This is the first example I have actually ever seen, thanks for posting and fantastic find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborne53 Posted August 4, 2017 Share #4 Posted August 4, 2017 hello yes very rare , good find olivier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCDUFF Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted August 4, 2017 A comparison of the Army and USMC sides. The photos aren't clear, but the Marine shade does have a slight 'Depot' tan colour. Although both made at S Froelich Co in 1941, the name stamp is completely different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCDUFF Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted August 4, 2017 Close up of stamps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnicklfritz Posted August 4, 2017 Share #7 Posted August 4, 2017 I wonder if the USMC stamped M36 suspenders were made specifically for these? Same maker I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Flage Guy Posted August 5, 2017 Share #8 Posted August 5, 2017 Outstanding find, Mac!! These are one of the rarest pieces of 782 Gear out there. Pretty neat that it's dated '41 and has the Froelich "U.S. M.C." Pistol Belt-type stamp! I have a "BOYT -43-" Belt, but it has a number of rotted places...thank God though- better than nothin'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Flage Guy Posted August 5, 2017 Share #9 Posted August 5, 2017 I wonder if the USMC stamped M36 suspenders were made specifically for these? Same maker I believe. Good question. My thought is that they were made for Officers who carried the M1936 Field Bag, but that's just my own speculation. Here are 2 sets of these, on having been modified at some point- whether at the Froelich company or the Depot, I couldn't say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Flage Guy Posted August 5, 2017 Share #10 Posted August 5, 2017 As you said, both Froelichs...I think they were the only contractors for these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCDUFF Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted August 5, 2017 Outstanding find, Mac!! These are one of the rarest pieces of 782 Gear out there. Pretty neat that it's dated '41 and has the Froelich "U.S. M.C." Pistol Belt-type stamp! I have a "BOYT -43-" Belt, but it has a number of rotted places...thank God though- better than nothin'! I knew you would have one Flage Guy!! And a complete one at that!! Thanks for the comparison of the Boyt type. Cool stuff!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCDUFF Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share #12 Posted August 5, 2017 As you said, both Froelichs...I think they were the only contractors for these. Wow, you have done it again with your treasure trove of a collection! Superb to see these. As yet, I haven't seen a pair in the flesh. I agree with you that they were probably manufactured to match the officers musette, although a BAR gunner would have probably preferred this type of suspender... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Flage Guy Posted August 5, 2017 Share #13 Posted August 5, 2017 Thanks for the kind words, Mac!OOPS...I made a big boo-boo on the stamp; Froelich did not have the space between the letters on the stamp later in their production; it was Russell who had this style...one of our friends here alerted me by PM. Yours is the first Froelich product I've seen which features this, making it even more interesting...why they eliminated it...? Here, some Belts; 2 Froelichs and 1 Russell at the bottom... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeleliuMarine1944 Posted August 7, 2017 Share #14 Posted August 7, 2017 Whoah!!! What a find! Great stuff Graham!!! ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1987 Posted September 5, 2017 Share #15 Posted September 5, 2017 Sorry it seems I'm a little later to the party, but for future reference here's my complete unissued USMC BAR belt: I would agree these are very rare, my came from another now-deceased USMC gear collector who spent many years looking. Regards, -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCDUFF Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share #16 Posted September 6, 2017 Sorry it seems I'm a little later to the party, but for future reference here's my complete unissued USMC BAR belt: I would agree these are very rare, my came from another now-deceased USMC gear collector who spent many years looking. Regards, -Steve Hi Steve, that is a fantastic example and it belongs in your amazing collection! Congrats! Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1987 Posted September 6, 2017 Share #17 Posted September 6, 2017 Thanks Graham, your collection is also absolute TOP my friend. Where this mint BAR belt was originally found...I wish I knew! -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortJohn Posted September 8, 2017 Share #18 Posted September 8, 2017 I have a BOYT-42 U.S.M.C. belt. It is marked on the belt extender in big letters,under the BOYT-42 in small letters,and under each pouch flap BOYT 42 with a small U.S.M.C. it is also marked to C. CO. 1st. BTN. I will take some pictures tomorrow.Thanks. Greg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted September 9, 2017 Share #19 Posted September 9, 2017 Fantastic find Graham. Glad you were able to add one to your outstanding collection! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortJohn Posted September 10, 2017 Share #20 Posted September 10, 2017 Here is pictures of the one I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortJohn Posted September 10, 2017 Share #21 Posted September 10, 2017 pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortJohn Posted September 10, 2017 Share #22 Posted September 10, 2017 pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortJohn Posted September 10, 2017 Share #23 Posted September 10, 2017 pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1987 Posted September 11, 2017 Share #24 Posted September 11, 2017 Hi FortJohn, Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's likely those USMC markings were added to improve the value/deceive collectors. You can see the stamps were added later, with different ink in the wrong font. The faker also got a little carried away, and added way too many USMC surcharges in strange places. Regards, -Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortJohn Posted September 11, 2017 Share #25 Posted September 11, 2017 There is no such thing as bad news, Just that some news is better than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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