Ammo belt Hooks

[6th marine]

Can someone tell me when the front buckle of the 10 pouch ammo belt changed from brass to a kind of gray metal. I have one that has the brass on one side and the gray metal on the other. Is this correct?

[hotlead]

There is a thread on that up in the reference section on the top of the this sub-forum page. Hit the reference section and go down 5 lines to "belts", then go down 6 lines to the cartridge belt thread, you should be able to find what you're looking for.

 

It could be that you have a repaired belt, different sides from different damaged belts being put together to make a servicable one.

[doyler]

During manufacture it was not uncommon for the maker to use what stock they had on hand.Thus some mixing of parts will be seen.Using the old stock until depleted.I would say if your belt matches in color I would say it was from the factory.

 

RD

[artu44]

As thumb rule, light alloy buckles started mid 1942 until 1945. Post WWII buckles are made out of brass in pre-1942 style.

[Captainofthe7th]

Production switched from brass to alloy to conserve the brass for the war effort. They are a lesser quality than brass, IMO.. I had one snap on me a few months ago.

 

Rob