Cloth .30 Cal P/1903 Bandolier
The cloth bandolier is different than a standard Cavalry bandolier with flaps. Bandoliers would be opened under order of the commanding officer, the ammunition would then be used to fill a cartridge belt. If additional reserve/emergency supplies of ammunition were needed two bandoliers would be issued per soldier. The ammunition in the bandoliers was to be expended before that carried in the cartridge belt.
The pattern 1903 .30 cal. bandolier was made for the adoption of the new M1903 Springfield rifle although it was not officially adopted until 1904. It was made of a cotton cloth that was folded in half then sewn together on the sides and down the middle to make six pockets, each pocket could hold 10 rounds of ammunition for a total of 60 rounds. The cloth strap was sewn at each end and came with a small metal cloth pin so the user could adjust it to their size. The pattern 1903 bandolier would be sewn at the top and the user would pull the string to access the ammunition. The front face of the bandolier would have the cartridge information, pack date and manufacture information stamped in black ink. Inside the pocket a paper card was placed with the powder lot information and the date it was packed.
Cloth .30 Cal P/1909 Bandolier
The new cloth pattern 1909 .30 cal bandolier was very similar in construction to the previous 1903 pattern the key difference is the side opening mouth instead of pull string top. This made it easier for the user to quickly access the ammunition inside. The pattern 1909 bandolier still came with a small metal clothes pin for the user to adjust the length to size. Sometime in 1918 manufacturers started to make the bandoliers in a olive drab green color instead of the traditional tan color although its not official or in any records.
*Cover Photo & Soldier Photo Courtesy of The National Archives
American Militaria Reference
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