French TAP Model 50 Suspenders/Shoulder Straps (Brelage/bretelles de suspension TAP modèle 50)

[Willmore]

Hello everyone.

Here is the latest addition to the French collection. This time it is an example of the TAP 50 (Troupes AéroPortées = Airborne Troops) suspenders.






















For reference the below photos show the rear of the rivets circled in red.

The TAP 50 model can be identified by the domed rivets on the front of the straps, whilst the rear of the rivets are 'hollow'.




The TAP 50/53 model has domed rivets which are 'solid' on both the front and the rear of the straps. From research it is speculated that the TAP 50/53 model had solid rivets to increase the durability of the straps.




The following photos show a comparison between the French TAP 50 and American m1936 suspenders.
















References/reading -

French TAP Webbing (1950’s) | KommandoPost.com | KPS Militaria Collection
Brelage TAP 1950 et 50/53
identification brelage TAP m50
TAP 50

Kind regards,

Will.

[earlymb]

Good comparison reminds me I have to look for a pair of the early TAP 50 suspenders; the ones I have are all 50/53 but I never paid much attention to the rivets.