DOUGHBOYS: World War I-BAR Accouterments

Browning Automatic Rifle Accouterments

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Automatic Rifleman's Belt
The Browning M1918 Automatic Rifle was issued to doughboys of the AEF during the last few weeks of the war. The weapon's name, Browning Automatic Rifle ( BAR), is a post war term. During World War I, the M1918 was known as the Light Browning or the Browning Machine Rifle. The early Brownings were an improvement over the French made Chauchat Light Machine gun which was used by the doughboys during most of their time in the war.
The Light Brownings used 20 round magazines and special accouterments were manufactured to carry the gunner's ammunition. This is the standard belt used by Light Browning gunners, manufactured by the Long Company in April 1918. The metal cup seen between the BAR magazine pocket and the pistol magazine pocket was used to steady the BAR when fired from the hip. The butt stock of the BAR was placed inside the cup when the BAR was fired. The cup was found to be impractical and many belts were modified by removal of the cup.

Modified Automatic Rifleman's Belt
This example of a Browning Automatic Rifle belt manufactured by the Long Company in 1918 was modified to have 5 pockets rather than 4 which was found on standard belts. The cup which would be found between the .45 ammo pouch and the BAR pouch on the right side of the belt has been removed and replaced with an extra pouch.
Assistant Automatic Rifleman's Belt
The Bar gunner would have an assistant gunner who carried extra magazines for the BAR. This assistant gunners belt was manufactured by Long, dated 10-18. The belt has four pockets for the BAR magazines, and four pockets for stripper clips of the assistant's M1903 Springfield or M1917 Enfield.
R.H. Long BAR Bandoleers
The assistant gunners were also issued issued two bandoleers to carry extra magazines for the BAR. The bandoleers were issued in left and right sides and were worn slung over each shoulder. Two variations of bandoleers made by Long are pictured. The top bandoleer with triangular flaps was manufactured in October 1918. The bottom bandoleer with rounded flaps was manufactured by in April 1918.
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