Original British Army 1914 Pattern Leather Intrenching Tool Carrier

A scarce original American made British Army 1914 Pattern leather intrenching tool carrier which dates from the Great War. 

1914 pattern equipment was introduced at the beginning of the First World War as an alternative to the standard 1908 webbing set currently in issue. With large numbers of men joining the army it was not possible for webbing manufacturers to supply enough sets of equipment needed so leather maker's were employed to make a newly designed '1914 pattern leather' equipment set. This pattern was worn throughout the Great War on the Western Front as well as in the Middle East. It was withdrawn from service in January 1921 and a lot of it was disposed of, making it very rare to find today. 

This example is American made as is often encountered as large contracts were placed in the United States to aid in supplying enough equipment to meet the high number of soldiers being recruited. It is made from a brown coloured leather which hasn't been polished black or darkened down to a darker colour as is often found with examples offered onto the market today. It features the American style one piece steel rivets throughout and the brass buckles are still present and in good order. There is an outline of where an entrenching tool head has previously been fitted inside the pouch. 

A nice original example in good condition.