Click on thumbnail for full-size photo
M1956 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Pouch
|
Category |
Individual Equipment
|
|
Sub-Category |
M1956 Load Carrying Equipment
|
| Date | 1959 |
| FSN | 8465-647-0852 |
| Specification | MIL-C-40159 |
The cotton "universal" cases were so named because they were designed to accommodate either a folded bandoleer containing 7-clips of M1 ammunition or 3
magazines of M14 rifle ammo.
1 M16
magazines proved too short for the Universal pouch and as a result a
sock was often put in the bottom to raise the magazines up for faster retrieval during firefights.
The case attached to the pistol belt via two slide keepers and had a supporting strap that clipped to the metal loop on the
suspenders. In common with the majority of ammunition pouches, each case had strips on both sides for attaching hand
grenades.
1. History Of The Development Of The LINCLOE Loadcarrying Equipment. (US Army Natick Laboratories July 1975)