Pattern 1908 Mark VI Water Carrier. The Mark VI was the standard issue water bottle for British forces during the Great War and by 1939 they were still in fairly common use. The Mark VI is recognizable by its cobalt blue enamel and thick khaki felt cover with the long 18 inch stopper cork cord being stitched directly to the cover. This particular Mk VI has a flat top attached to the body with a ‘tin can’ type seam. Web Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1937 Water Bottle Carriers Stores Ref. A1/AA 0576 Carrier, water-bottle, W.E. Patt. ‘37 Stores Ref. CN/AA 0576 Web Equipment, Patt. ’37, Carrier, water bottle 38 front38 rearWhen first announced, this Carrier was of “framework”, or “skeleton” form, its design dating back to pre- Great War but, in the U.K., from Patt. ’19. As first produced, the securing strap was split into two, fastening on the shoulder of the bottle with a press-stud. In the early 1950s, a version appeared with a brass buckle, in place of the stud. This example is maker marked "B.H.G." (Barrow, Hepburn & Gale) and dated 1938. From the Karkee Web Collection. Attached to the brace ends to carry either the standard water bottle or for field use sometimes the mess tins were carried in a spare water bottle carrier as well. There were two types of carrier, the skeleton style and the sleeve style, though Canada only produced the skeleton type. The Pattern 1937 cradle carrier was manufactured until I940 when the sleeve design was introduced. There were two versions: the long and short sleeve. The main water bottle used with the Pattern I937 equipment was the green enamelled Mk VII which was introduced in I939 although the blue enamelled Mk VI of WW I was still used presumably they were replaced with the more modern MK.VIIs as they wore out. The main difference between the Mk VIs and Mk VIIs are the MK.VII has a metal loop welded to the neck were it meets the body of the bottle the cork cord is attached to this [See picture number five]. The Mk VI does not have this loop and the cord is stitched directly to the felt also the cord is longer on the Mk VI.