Jon -

In my opinion, it is an issue of functionality - where those pockets are located is near the thicker section of the y-straps and juncture of shoulder blade/collar/chest, -- when you place 2 stripper clips full of 8mm ammo, the bandoleer section gets pretty rigid, that being an "active area" for both one's body and for the y-strap harness system, likely the designers wanted to still use the space for ammo, but not hamper the combatant?

this hypothesis is based on my use of a 1:1 version in reenactments. Anyone else got any suggestions? I can't recall how the early '36 pattern bandoleers were made?


Mike
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Rot scheint die Sonne (Das Lied der Fallschirmjger)

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