British Ready Round Pouch

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,

What is the "British Ready Round Pouch" used for? I have looked through my books, and tried to find some information on the internet, but have been unable to find anything. Here is a link to Richmond Depot company's page, where they are selling one. http://www.richmonddepot.com/ Thanks

Andrew

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Andrew,

Sorry I don't have the citation to back this up...as this comes from a book Scott Hanes had showed me a number of years ago. Maybe Scott will provide the reference to back the following up.

Under the British system:

The familiar rectangular box mounted from a shoulder sling (box-belt), would actually be the Reserve Cartridges, in which 5 packs of 10 cartridges each would be stored. Important, since this is the pouch that provides protection to the cartridges through flaps, and the box tin.

Upon emptying the Ready-Round Pouch (ball-bag), one would take an ammunition package from the Reserve box on the right hip, unwrap these and place the now loose cartridges in the Ready-Round Pouch. which would be mounted on the front right hip.

Now the Brits also issued box-belt mounted cap pouches, as well as some waist-belt mounted cap pouches.

Hope this helps...and I hope Scott or someone else will post the reference book on British Equipment and Procedures, including the use of this in the Confederate Army.

Paul B.

[FloridaConscript]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Andrew,
Try checking out some of the Colin McRae threads, there is a ton of info in British accoutrements in there. Also, the book isn't in front of me, but Ic an swear there is a picture of soldier from the 35th Ga in Tom Arliskas' book showing a ready round pouch. Lee White has posted a picture od KIA CS soldier with one as well.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Hi,

Thanks for the info. These sound like rather interesting items. Thanks

Andrew

[3alabama]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

A reproduction of one of these by an approved vendor should be coming real soon for those that have been wanting one.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Before the big crash, there was a nice thread on British Accoutrements and I have missed it greatly as it was one of my favorites to visit. I too am curious of the use of the Ball Bag/Expense Pouch in Confederate service & have done a little searching on the subject, but have come up empty handed so far.

[FloridaConscript]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Marc,
I'd advise the Colin Mcrae threads. There are some invoices listing ball bags in large quantities. I still can't get over those papers. A new planet was discovered in the CSuniform and equipment field. Completely changes our view, IMO.

[FloridaConscript]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Andrew,
Check out page 42 of Tom Arliskas' "Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown". A great image of Pvt William G. Howard 35th Georgia Inf. Pvt Howard has a snake buckle belt, cap pouch on the cartridge box sling (that is attached to an English box). Pvt Howard is eqiuped with a 2 band Enfield (with sword bayonet) and a rifle sling that is a dead ringer to the one Scott Hanes of the richmond depot has for sale. Gray jean coat with matching vest. The ball bag is visable by the rifle sling buckle. The real kicker is, he was killed at Fraziers Farm on June 27, 1862. Whole lotta english gear for one lowly rear rank 2 in the 35 th Ga.

Bryant/a big fan of original images and the colin mcrae papers

[Marc29thGA]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Thanks Bryant,

I do need to spend some more time in those Mcrea threads. In the thread that was lost in the crash there was discussion around return of a number (1,000 or so if I remember) of the ball bags/expense pouches from the field. That discussion wondered if they were discontinued from use as unnecessary; returned for repair or returned for conversion. I would like to add one for my kit if would be appropriate and useful.

I am familiar with the picture you’ve mentioned in “Cadet Gray…” and it is a great shot of a soldier with Brit gear. I also enjoyed reading “Red Clay to Richmond, Trail of the 35th Georgia Infantry Regiment” by John J. Fox. A good book and there is an interesting tidbit in the appendix linking a lady in the town where I was raised here in Maine and the 35th. There are a couple pictures (undated) in it of 35th soldiers from Co D that do not have Brit gear. On pg 153 might have a ’41 or ’61 style cartridge box, but the sling and box look to be buff or natural leather too – the photo is not the best quality. Thus it could be possible that Co K of the 35th received the Brit gear, or Co D did not. And/or pictures were taken of the 2 before being outfitted with Brit gear.

On Page 30 of Wiley Sword’s book “Firepower from Abroad” is a very clear picture of an unidentified soldier with an Enfield - sword bayonet affixed, snake belt, cartridge box and sling mounted cap pouch. The way he is wearing the cap pouch would spill the caps when he opened the flap. However he does not have a ball bag/expense pouch.

Thanks again,

[LWhite64]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

I posted something long ago about the 10th Mississippi in the summer of 62 being issued full sets of British accoutrements including ball bags. If anyone has that handy it would be good to repost.

Lee

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Hi,

Here is a picture of PVT Johnson of the 45th Georgia infantry. I think he is wearing a English ready round pouch.

[FloridaConscript]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Andrew,
Great find. Any other info on Pvt Johnson as far as enlistment, KIA POW or when photo was taken?

As an aside, I've always been curious about photos taken with lockplates facing in. Is this the mark of a newly enlisted solider with a photog's prop, or one who isn't very familiar with the manual of arms?? thoughts?

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Hi,

No, I do not have any information on the photo. I found while looking through the forum today. I wonder if he was using it as a cap box, because I do not think he is wearing one.

Andrew

[btfire]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

This image is from 1860 in Australia.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: British Ready Round Pouch

Nice find Andrew – thanks for posting.

You are right; it does not look like he has a cap pouch and very well could be using it for caps.