This US Airborne Rigger Pouch Medium With Tie Closure is a reproduction of a medium-sized rigger pouch as used with American airborne equipment during the Second World War. The pouch is made in OD#3 tan/khaki canvas and features two white tie cords on the front, a simple but distinctive detail associated with rigger-made paratrooper equipment.
Rigger pouches were used to carry additional equipment, rifle clips or magazines on the belt. This version is suitable for approximately 4 M1 Garand rifle clips or 5 M1 Carbine magazines. The wide belt loop on the back allows the pouch to slide onto a standard M1936 pistol belt or similar webbing belt.
Specifications:
Dimensions: approx. 5 cm deep x 8.5 cm wide x 11 cm high.
Belt loop: suitable for belts up to approx. 7.5 cm wide.
Closure: two white tie cords on the front.
Colour: OD#3 tan/khaki.
Weight: approx. 60 grams.
Supplied as: one medium rigger pouch.
Please note: clips, magazines, weapons or other equipment are not included.
Combination advice:
For a complete US Airborne impression, this pouch pairs well with an M1936 pistol belt, M1936 suspenders, first aid pouch, canteen cover and suitable 82nd or 101st Airborne insignia. It turns a small canvas item into part of a more convincing airborne equipment setup.
Historical Context
During the Second World War, American paratroopers often adapted their equipment to suit airborne operations. So-called rigger pouches developed from the need to carry more ammunition and small essential items than standard issue webbing allowed. These pouches were made or modified by riggers and units, which explains the different wartime variations: some with Lift-the-Dot fasteners, others with simple tie closures.
Rigger pouches are strongly associated with airborne units such as the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the North African, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. Period references also show examples around D-Day, although use varied by unit, period and availability. These small variations are part of what makes US Airborne webbing so interesting to collectors and re-enactors.
