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Saddle up

Australian Load Carrying equipment or British, American and local origin 

Rick Landers

This reference explores the full period of Australian issue, from the First Fleet in 1788 through the various colonial governments and the Commonwealth, through two world wars and Vietnam to the year 2000 and beyond.

From bandoliers and belts to packs and pouches, for the purpose of carrying items ranging from ammunition and compasses to pistols and bayonets, this invaluable study will appeal to a broad cross section of collectors and military enthusiasts.

Buff, brown & black leather, canvas and woven webbing equipment combined to serve the soldier in the field, in a wide variety of forms. The references to contractors, trials, production and markings in the descriptive text are accompanied by about 250 illustrations which includes a section in full colour.

Any collector of uniforms, accoutrements, individual equipment or weapons will welcome this systematic presentation of such a wealth of material. The more than two hundred years of Australian kit embraces essential British patterns with a veritable sprinkling of U.S. and Canadian production as well, culminating with a fully integrated set of indigenous load carrying equipment today.