Hi all,
Bit of an issue during my first outing with my '37 pattern webbing - specifically the MkIII ammo pouches - and I was hoping someone could help. The webbing was put together and adjusted the previous night, although I noted at the time that the C-shaped hooks that attach to the belt seemed a bit insecure when placed into the woven loops. Sure enough, after a bit of ducking and diving early in the day, the ammo pouches almost completely came undone from the belt, and it was very difficult to reattach them in the middle of a firefight; it was belt order and mags in pockets for the rest of the day after that.
So, has anyone else had this problem? Is there any way of of securing them more surely to the belt? Am I being a twat and doing something wrong without knowing it? Answers on a postcard, please...
'ABSIT OMEN'
Yup, I've had that problem too. The buggers can be a pig to get in and then fall out with ease. I think the more modern belts (50s and reproduction) can be softer and more malleable and this is not a good thing except when you are intentionally trying to attach pouches etc.
I have a small skewer hidden in the collar of my jumping jacket, and a razorblade in my gaiter, as well as my knife.
Experience on 37 and 58 pattern webbing is that you need to put hooks in loops as far apart as possible. The tension helps to hold them in place. If you use loops tha are close together the pouches can move up and down and become detached.
The hooks need to be in their original shape. The can become bent and the gap of the hook can become larger. Use pliers to bend them back to orginal shape.
With webbing that you will not take apart very often it can help to bend the hooks further closed once you have assembilied it to hold the hooks tighter into the loops.
58 pattern water bottle pouches were prone to falling off with little warning unless the above tips were followed.
I have seen several people have the same issue with 37 pattern pouches so you are not alone but the above points have held my webbing sets together pretty well.
If you actually don't care about the accuracy of non-visible stuff then you could fasten them on with zip-ties.
Even I have done this in the past. Though not for a while now.
The hooks need to be in their original shape. The can become bent and the gap of the hook can become larger. Use pliers to bend them back to orginal shape.
With webbing that you will not take apart very often it can help to bend the hooks further closed once you have assembilied it to hold the hooks tighter into the loops.
I thought about doing that. Good to hear I'm not alone!
If you actually don't care about the accuracy of non-visible stuff then you could fasten them on with zip-ties.
Good idea! I've got plenty zip ties knocking about in the drawer, so I'll keep it in mind.
Appreciate the help, gents! 
'ABSIT OMEN'
As above, you need to get the hooks into the loops on the belt and possibly tighten them with a pair of pliers. I usually have to use a screwdriver to force the equipment hooks into the belt loops, any looser than that and they can come undone. I believe it was not uncommon irl to wire them into place as well.
An interesting problem I had with my unblancoed set at Crete was the e-tool sliding off X straps and forcing the water bottle carrier off too. The X straps are very old and quite soft and smooth to the touch, so I suspect I need to bend the e-tool cover buckles a bit.
Cheers
Martin
"Mistakes in the initial deployment cannot be rectified" Helmuth von Moltke
Toys: AGM MP40, Cyma M1A1, TM M14/G43/SVT40, TM VSR/K98, SnS No. 4, ASG Sten, Ppsh.
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