Union of South Africa Pattern 1937 Webbing Set in Pictures

[earlymb]

As far as I know, all wartime braces made in South Africa seem to be of this design. With that said, I don't know if the style was used in later postwar patterns. If your straps have alloy fittings, I would suspect that they are South African and wartime production.

The stampings are clear but unfortunately no date.The fittings are alloy, and you can see remnants of gold paint on the right top fitting. I never noticed this till you mentioned it. Both braces also have the extra strip sewn to them.

[karkee]

Great braces Earlymb! Unfortunately, many Items made by DI Fram were not dated.

I am curious if either of your braces have the loop (making it a left brace).

[Warspite]

Thanks for the pics EarlyMB, think that proves my brace is a DI Fram example as the construction looks identical to yours.

[earlymb]

Great braces Earlymb! Unfortunately, many Items made by DI Fram were not dated.

I am curious if either of your braces have the loop (making it a left brace).

Yes, both have the loop and so did another pair I got t the same time & passed on to a friend, that's why I asked about that a few post ago in this topic. At first I thought I gave him the 2 right braces without loop by accident, but it turned out both of his braces have the loop too. His pair is in identical condition as mine with identical markings and came from the same source.

Thanks for the pics EarlyMB, think that proves my brace is a DI Fram example as the construction looks identical to yours.

Yes they seem identical indeed. Funny thing is I read about your brace on your blog a few days before I found these at a show, and hence I immediately recognized them!

[karkee]

It's interesting Earlymb, I have seen quite a bit of South African webbing on the European market over the years (I assume you found these in the Netherlands). I'm not sure if this entered the market in the postwar years or if it came into Europe during the war as supply from South Africa.

[earlymb]

It's interesting Earlymb, I have seen quite a bit of South African webbing on the European market over the years (I assume you found these in the Netherlands). I'm not sure if this entered the market in the postwar years or if it came into Europe during the war as supply from South Africa.

Indeed, I bought them in The Netherlands but not from a specialized source. Just a guy selling at a show that had a banana box full with braces, and 2 SA pairs happened to be mixed in the pile. He also had a pile of wartime dated Mk.II Basic Pouches with the late-style closure though so apparently he found a mixed batch of webbing somewhere. I think that suggests it entered the market recently, or at least post-war.

[Warspite]

Another new piece of South African 37 pattern, this is the basic pouch, but unlike Karkee's example, this one is manufactured by SAPAW in 1943. Interesting to note that this manufacturer's pouch seems even worse in quality than the DI Fram example, but retains the ballistite loops under the top flap. I think the press stud might be of local manufacture as it doesn't have the usual Canadian marking and again seems very poor quality.

[karkee]

Great pouch Warspite! I can't quite tell if it is 1943 or 1945. Close up shots of the snap (both front and back) would be much appreciated!

[enfield]

A bit off topic, but what is a fair price to pay for SA made small pack and pair of pouches in used but good condition?

[Warspite]

Hi Enfield. South African webbing is hard to value as it is rare...but very few people want it. If you get a couple of people who know what it is and both want it then it can fetch a good prioce, other times it sells for a few pounds as the quality is so poor! I paid £28 for my small pack on eBay a few years back and £20 for my (one) basic pouch. I suspect that is about fair, if you can get it cheaper then go for it, and if one of the more specialist dealer sites like WD militaria has it for sale expect it to go for a lot more!