British SAS Belt Kit (1960’s – 1970’s)

Belt Kits, Cold War, Early Cold War (1945 - 1968), Great Britain and Commonwealth, Later Cold War (1969 - 1989), Webbing

British Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) operators used custom-made belt kits unique to individual preferences [1]. Most of these webbing belts used Pattern 44 and 58 components, though some have been found with US, Bundeswehr, and other foreign components as well [2].

An SAS Belt Kit used between 1970 – 1988 by Major Hugh Gilpin (21 SAS) [2]. This set feature US M61 pouches, French canteen covers, and British P58 canteen pouches on a roll pin belt base.

The base of the belt kit was often a roll pin belt made from RAF cargo securing straps [3]. This practice started during the Malayan Emergency since the roll pin allowed the belt’s size to be easily adjusted, which is important on long patrols when the users could lose weight due to exertion, inadequate nutrition, and disease [1].

This belt kit uses a Local Pattern Magazine Pouch, Pattern 44 Canteen Covers, and a rear Escape and Evasion (E&E) pouch made from a section of a Pattern 44 large pack.

Belt Buckle:

Roll pin buckle appears to be made of steel since it is magnetic. Later roll pins were made of brass painted black.

Magazine Pouch:

Local Pattern Magazine Pouch was heavily used and modified with a hole at the top for the suspender strap to pass through.

Suspenders attached to the belt with special adapter hooks.

Suspender Attachment:

Suspender Yoke:

The small webbing parts on the back of a standard P58 H-harness suspender were removed so that they would not catch onto a separate rucksack when worn.

Canteen Pouches:

Both canteen pouches are Pattern 44.

Left Canteen Pouch:

Left Canteen:

Pattern 58 canteen bottle with a 1975 date. This is the latest dated item on the entire set.

Right Canteen Pouch:

Right Canteen:

Metal Pattern 44 canteen with cup. The cup and canteen can fit into each other like the American M1910 version it was based on.

The cup has been used for shaving.

Rear Pouch:

E&E pouch is made from the side of a P44 large pack with the excess material folded into a loop for the belt. This was done before purpose-made E&E pouches were available.

A similar rope was found attached to Major Hugh Gilpin’s belt kit in the National Army Museum. [2]

A length of rope was found inside the pouch.

Compass Pouch:

A P58 compass pouch attached to a lanyard came with the set. This was likely meant to be carried separately in the user’s pocket while tied to the suspenders with the cord.

Usage Photo:

From [4]. Note similar improvised E&E pouch, Local Pattern magazine pouches, and P58 H-harness yoke.

A similar pouch was worn by an SAS trooper in Aden photographed in the book Who Dares Wins : The Story of the Special Air Service 1950-1980 by Tony Geraghty on Page 137 [4].