WW2 canteen pouch question

[gus]

Hello everybody.
I receive a USMC canteen pouch and i wanted to know some stuff about it. I think it s the best place to ask.
First the photo.

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/9026/gourdesu5.th.jpg (http://img124.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gourdesu5.jpg)

As you can see it have the EGA print on it. BUt my question is about the "stamp". I can find on my "WW2 USMC uniforms and equipment" book that the half circle is the sign of 4th Marines Division. But i can t find what the numbers are. I know 100 numbers are for HQ,200 are for Service troups and 300 are for 23rd infantry division. But i have no idea for what is 303. That s probably a part of 23rd infantry division.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8821/gourde2ci9.th.jpg (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gourde2ci9.jpg)

Here It show that comes from Philadelphia. Its write USMC phila. DEPOT 1942.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9359/gourde3bf4.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gourde3bf4.jpg)

I have a two questions about this photo. We can see that the "thing to attach the pouch to the belt"(sorry don t know the name) was unsew and get sew upper. Is it a standard USMC modification or is it the Marine who find it better this way and do it?
I also wonder what the name print under means. It 's T E or I F I can t see very well. ARNOLD. Is it the manufacture who made them or could it be the name of the first owner?

Thank you for all information. I like all about history and like when the things have a story. Any idea are welcome.
IF you need or want some specific photo just ask me.
I m sorry for the mystake I probably made.
Bye
Gus

[LeonardLawrence]

Gus,
As for your last folder with the holding pin. I remember seeing similar attachments at the old Army-Navy store I used to go to as a kid. I think it was a standard pre-Alice clip thing, although I don't know the dates. I remember seeing knife sheaths and other gear with similar clips, so I don't think it is unique or a custom thing.

Looks like it would fit the holes in the Web belt perfectly of that era...and possibly beyond. I want to say bayonets had similar clips in the 1990s as well.

[gus]

Ho yes
In fact the holding pin was made in 1910S something like that.
I probably explain me bad. If you clic on the photo you would see it in big. And then you will see it was unsew. It was sew under where it is now.
My question was why does it moves.
We have many reenactment group here and many of their equipment have this holding pin. That s standard issue but maybe not the place where it sew.
Thank you to take time to answer me.

[Phantom Blooper]

That allows it to swivel when you hit a trench...instead of running into your kidney or lower back and make you pee your trousers. What every thing else means I don't know unless a supply issue point?:evilgrin:

[Covey_Rider]

The clips hook into the web belt...this much I know. Back when I was in JROTC our canteen pouches had the same clips. The stamp with the name "ARNOLD" looks like it's the owner to me. The first to letters are most likely the initials of his first and middle name. When I mark my clothing/gear that's how I do it..."D. F. Stam."

[Old Marine]

Having been in Supply for some time, I can remember issuing many canteen covers that looked like this back in the early 1950's. This was before plastic canteens. The clip you are talking about fit into the holes on the M1 rifle cartridge belt, and the bayonet scabbard also attached in the same manner. Arnold was probably the guys name. Don't know what the numbers mean, except that maybe its the number of girl friends the guy had.

[rvillac2]

I agree. the "ARNOLD" looks like it came from a stamp pad which means it was an individual's name.

It appears that they moved the belt attachment upward because the canteen would easily fall out when it was in it's original position. When it was new, the fabric and snaps were more snug and sturdy. Now that it is old and floppy, the canteen is being held more by gravity and not the flaps.

[gus]

Thank to all of you.
I search on the internet about USMC manufacture and nothing looks like ARNOLD So as you all said it s probably the guy s name.
Anybody have information about the 303 stamp?
I also ask at USMC museum, I will tell when i will receive an answer.

[sparkie]

Phantom,,, I have to agree with your swivel idea. You could break a hip with those things. I remember that much. But funny it was done, cause it could never pass inspection. Maybe done in civilian use. When I and the wife were backpacking, I made many a modification, and always carried a sewing kit. Ever been packing and broke a pack strap? Not fun for the next 30 miles.