Belt Gear Hanger

Camping and Trekking in the Early 20th Century was characterized by the use of Army Surplus gear that spanned models produced from 1874 to 1939. In the early years of that time span, much of that gear was hung from the shoulder by straps, in the later years it was hung from cartridge and pistol belts that were designed to carry gear and ammunition but couldn't hold one's trousers up and sometimes needed suspenders to work properly.

Weight conscious trekkers would eschew the heavy webbing belts, and the advent of backpacks made carrying gear suspended from shoulder straps difficult, and uncomfortable due to an inability to control weight distribution.

The Army had a system that used adapter that allowed certain gear to be suspended from Sam Browne belts and special Guard belts, but these were generally relegated to use by officer's and guard details so were not as prevalent on the market as canteens, mess kits, and other gear were as production numbers were low.

VICO Tent & Awning addresses this situation by using a belt adapter similar to that produced by the Army which will allow the trekker to carry most Army Surplus belt and shoulder strap gear made from 1874-1939.

We provide two grommets for installation of M1910 gear such as canteens, entrenching tools, hatchets, bolo knives, etc. along with a large diameter grommet that allows carriage of mounted troops gear such as the M1910 Mounted Canteen shown. The leather strap on the canteen cover (available from What Price Glory) can be adjusted to raise the canteen closer to the waist, and the adapter can be worn with the large grommet above the waistline to gain another inch or two.

Also shown is the prototype of our canteen carrier for civilian canteens such as the "Cello" canteen sold by Logsdon & Co, and reproductions of round canteens produced for the Army between 1874 and 1906. The carrier will be available shortly.

This belt hanger will also allow one to belt carry the reproduction Preston Mess Kit being produced by Honorable Outfitters as we will also be making carry pouches for those.

The system will charge you an initial shipping cost and I will refund any amount over actual shipping cost.