Riggers modified & manufactured items

With the introduction of airborne forces in 1940’s there became the need for Parachute repair specialist who could maintain the harness and parachute canopies in the field. The Riggers had all there own equipment and stock, and as a result of these skills they where asked to use them to also supply field manufactured combat equipment. This was quite a common place practice by unit’s base in Britain and Europe by the time of D-Day in 1944, amongest the items which they made from scratch were, magazine pouches in many various in ingenious designs, radio packs and webbing cradles, and even map cases. They were also asked to modify standard items, to the personal requirements of the paratroopers, such as adding extra pockets on the M1936 Officers Haversack (Musette bag) or sewing on additional ammo pouches to the canvas padded holster for the M1A1 model Carbine. Riggers manufactured items were made using the stock fabrics and webbings which were supplied for the repair of the T-5 Parachute, or by cannibalising spare or damaged items in the field, for the webbing and fitting. So as a result many items had unusual colours schemes with O.D.7 canvas and White herringbone webbing. The T-5 used the Nickel plated Lift the DOT fastener instead of the standard military issue type, and the use of this type was again a common feature on Riggers made items. Overall due to the nature and circumstances under which the items were made, the field manufactured or modified gear lacks the same quantity standard of workmanship that you would find in factory produced equipment of the period.  This practice of field modification and manufacture continued up until the Korean War.

National Archives collection photo

(Above) Thompson & M1 Garand pouches made in the field for 503^rd P.I.R. and the LRRP’s

(Made in White & OD 7 Canvas with Nickel Plated Lift the DOT Fasteners)