Metal Fittings & Fasteners 1900 –1945

 The U.S. Army combat system used a series of metal snap hooks and double hooks which were made of brass with a Black oxide non-reflective finish. These were used to attach individual items of field gear to a series of eyelets on a soldier’s rifle or pistol belt. This had a

great advantage over systems used by other nations as it meant field gear could be adjusted and alter without a lot of hassle in the field for an individual task or mission. This was of particular use due to the common practice of dropping packs before combat. The main change during the First World War was to replace the type of snap fastener used on all items; the original fasteners were a press stud type based on the British Newey design. This type of fasteners had the American eagle and shield logo embossed into the face of the female part of the fastener and where known as “Eagle Snap” as a result. However due to experiences during fighting in the trenches, its was decided to replace the “Eagle Snap” with a new design which was more up to the rigors of modern warfare. This led to the introduction in mid 1917 of the Lift the D.O.T. fastener on all items which had previously been fitted with the “Eagle Snap” type. The new design was self cleaning as the male prong passes through the centre of the female socket when closed. This helped to minimises the build up of dirt in fighting conditions causing the press fasteners to jam or break, which was the shortfall of the original fasteners. However the British used the Newey fasteners on most item of webbing equipment until the 1950’s. During the interwar years the singlet type belt buckles used on the pistol belt, rifle belt and B.A.R. Belt were redesigned, with the larger full width belt buckle used on the B.A.R. Belt being dropped for the same model as the one used on the Rifle Belt. Also a stamped or cast 3 bar slide buckle replace to two bar type used up until the mid 1930’s this stay unchanged to the mid 1950’s. Due to storages of brass and bronze which was required for more important tasks, mid to late war fitting were made from other materials, such as steel and zinc alloy with the alloy ones being painted black instead of the previous practice of chemically treatment.

Lift the DOT Fasteners 1917- Present

Double Hooks 1910 - Present

 2a Modern Brass

2b 1942 U.S.M.C Pattern Brass

2c 1944 British Made Steel

2d 1944 U.S.M.C Pattern Steel

Three Bar Slides Early and Late Pattern

   3a 1944 3 Bar slide Zinc Alloy 

3b 1942 3 bar slide Steel