A young private in the new equipment. Notice the small ammunition pouches.
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In 1958 the army adopted a uniform entirely made out of cotton. The webbing equipment was slightly altered as well a year later in 1959. The large universal pouches seen on the M/45-50 webbing equipment disappeared, and a smaller pattern designed to be worn lower on the belt was adapted.The tarpaulin / raincoat / poncho was transferred to a light carrier fastened to the back of the waist belt. Because of the new equipment bits, and because the changed the colour, the equipment was now designated M/45-59. A new set of boots was adopted as well. With higher shafts and thick rubber soles. The boots were designated M/58 as the rest of the equipment.
In 1961 the army decided to alter the colour of the webbing equipment. They changed the colour from the khaki (introduced in 1923) to a olive-green shade. The reason for this was that the olive-green colour did not stand out in infra-red light.
It is worthwhile to notice that every time the army changed weaponry the only thing that changed on the webbing was the ammunition pouches. Shovel, water bottle, waist belt, braces, and the small pack / haversack remained the same as the M/45-50 webbing equipment. The gas mask carrier changed in 1969.
Uniform and equipment.
Notice the reinforced knees on the trousers.
The M58 uniform without equipment.
A closer look on the uniform jacket. The uniform was nicknamed "Fidel Castro" because the Danish soldiers thought it looked like the Cuban uniforms. (South America in general) |
| M/45-59 Webbing, front. Ca. 1970-75. |
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| M/45-59 Webbing, rear. Ca. 1970-75. |
Do you know how to assemble the webbing?
ReplyDeleteYes I do.
DeleteIt should be pretty straight forward, when you've got all the pieces.
The only problem would be the brace-attachments.
Well I have a full set but I have a few questions, there is 2 straps on my small pack, one that goes around it like yours, what is that for and how does it go in? Also it has 2 straps on the back that connect with lift the dot snaps, I have no idea what they are for. Do you?
DeleteDo you think you could do a video on your M/45-59?
DeleteYes I do.
DeleteThe large strap that goes around the small pack, are meant to tighten the pack around the contents. In order to reduce noise, and restrict the movement of whatever you carried in it.
The two straps on the back that connect with lift the dot fasteners were originally intended for use with a bicycle. The small pack could then be strapped onto the side. The were used for a lot of different tasks, and were kept on.
About the video. I don't have a lot of time on my hands at the moment. Maybe later this year. Preferably not before January.
Thank you very much, what are some other uses for the two straps on the back? Also did they carry more than one canteen? 1 one the belt always, but my set came with 2, one on the belt and one attached to the cross straps on the large pack, was this a common practice? Thanks.
DeleteNumerous uses. What ever you felt they could be used for. You were issued two, and had to hand over two when you were discharged.
DeleteOnly one water bottle pr. man. I cannot say for the "professionals", but photographic evidence suggest that only one was carried.
Sorry for the late reply.
Hello again, I had a question, I read that some Danish soldiers purchased US uniforms, do you know what types and how common that was? I would like to do a 1983 impression but cant get the M58 uniform for a while so if I could use a US uniform I would be awesome, but I don't want to do it if it is not accurate.
ReplyDeleteIt depends.
DeleteMany found the M/58 jacket insufficient.
Too heavy when wet and it took to long to properly dry.
If you intend to do a impression of a conscripted soldier, you have to get the M/58 jacket. The US jackets in use where not at all for "official" wear, and as I recall only the "professional" soldiers were allowed to buy own equipment for field use.
If you intend to do it, remember: only the jacket, only for field use and only an OD colour. Not camouflage schemes or the like. If you are a group that is doing it together I would suggest that 1 in 8 can use the US olive drab field jackets.
Hope this answers your question.