Tripod Leather Tool Case?

[Armorer]

I asked this question before and never got a response. With all the enthusiasts out there who have to have every accessory somebody must have run across a Leather Tripod Tool Case. I am looking to make a replica of the leather tool case used on the 1918, 1928 and M1917A1 tripod. I have never even seen a good photo of one. My guess is they were dropped from issue prior to WWII. I ran accross one in an ad by BMGParts.com some time ago but it was an old ad and a small photo. I'm looking for approximate dimensions, a drawing or photos if possible. Maybe other members would also be interested in this information.

[Armorer]

To partly answer my own question I found a picture on the "lberator.crew", Browning machine gun site of a tripod with the leather tool case attached to a tripod. It is on an M1928 tripod and this may have been the only tripod to use the case. If anyone knows for sure let me know. The case has two straps that go around the rear leg and a longer strap that goes through the fork in the front of the leg. From the photo I may be able to estimate the size. I also found that BMGparts.com still advertises the case so I enlarged their photo to get better details. I do a little leather work from time to time so I may try to fit this project in.

[Craig Johnson]

Here is a photo of the Gunner's Pouch/Tool Bag



Link to Pouch gallery

Link to new page on my website

The general dimensions of the pouch are.

6 3/8"--Long
4"------Tall
10"-----Around
16"-----Long strap
8"------2ea.Tripod leg straps (does not include buckle)
3 1/4"--2ea. Front cover straps

Craig

[Twisted]

Rick @ BMG parts has been out for some time now but I believe he personally has one and might be able to help with dimentions. Call him if you have a building source.

[Craig Johnson]

The pouch is different for the 1928. I will see if I can dig up a picture. Pretty much the same just a different look/design

Look for smanz-boy auctions. He doesnt have one listed now, but periodicaly does. He sells the 1928 and the 1917. Im not sure if he knows the difference as he advertises the 28 as a 17. One thing to consider. The leather on these pouches did not hold up very well over the years. Most of these you find will be brittle and only good for carefull handling. I was able to get a couple of nice ones(not from smaz-boy). I gave one to my Dad . I suspect the ones he is selling fall into the brittle will be disapointed catagory if you pay $65. He starts the auctions out at $9.99 so thats not bad. Ask to get a detailed description if you buy one. Most of the one you see the some of the straps will be close to breaking off.

Military Marketplace link

[Dave D.]

...I just bought one fron Hays Outapalik. $50. It cleaned up well. Not new, but still solid and apparently never used.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Armorer

To partly answer my own question I found a picture on the "lberator.crew", Browning machine gun site of a tripod with the leather tool case attached to a tripod. It is on an M1928 tripod and this may have been the only tripod to use the case. If anyone knows for sure let me know. The case has two straps that go around the rear leg and a longer strap that goes through the fork in the front of the leg. From the photo I may be able to estimate the size. I also found that BMGparts.com still advertises the case so I enlarged their photo to get better details. I do a little leather work from time to time so I may try to fit this project in.

I've sent you a PM and e-mail requesting an addy and offered to send you pics but you haven't responded.

[Armorer]

Thanks Craig. I guess I was pretty close in my estimate of the size of the pouch My guess was 6-1/8 inches long or slightly longer and four inches high. I was only off by about 1/4 inch. The picture from BMGparts shows a model only slightly different. It is more square looking whereas the one you show is more round. They don't look like they would be too hard to reproduce. My main problem will be to find buckles of the proper size. I imagine the rivets are copper with washers as that was the style back then. The rest is just cutting and stitching the leather. For some reason I pictured them being black leather but of course they were using brown or just buff leather back then. They kind of remind me of the tool pouch motor cycle riders sometimes use.

The information you provided is also of interest as it is the only reference I have run across on this item. Apparently some thought went into the devolopement of the pouch. I looks like this is an area of collecting that has been somewhat ignored. Even though the pouch was listed in a WWII publication I am surprized that so few pictures from WWII show the pouch in use. In fact I haven't found any so far. Maybe the M13 canvas case was supposed to take its place.

[rugman59]

Looks easy to make.Got any pics of backside,sides and inside w/ flap open?

[Armorer]

Mouse I sent you a PM. Hope you got it because the other PM in my mail box was meant for someone else.

I believe that makes about 9 messages meant for somewone else and maybe 3 for me so far.