Set of Cdn 1951 Pattern Webbing This set is not a complete 1951 Pattern set of webbing Equipment because it originally came with an 1982 Pattern plastic belt buckle and US Army suspenders (braces). [These items are in the Mess Tin Pouch.] This gear was worn by Sgt James Onley. The end of the Second World War left Canada with large stocks of 1937 Pattern web equipment. Stocks of equipment were sold off as surplus or gifted to European Allies and by 1949 Canada was involved in user trials of new types of Canadian and American equipment. The Korean War ended the proposed Americanisation of the Canadian Army and Canada embarked on a wide ranging program of modernisation based primarily on Canadian designs. In 1951 a new pattern of web equipment was approved for the Canadian Army, known as Web Equipment 1951 Pattern (WE'51) . In concept it was similar to the 1937 Pattern, however many features were drawn from American web designs. It was made in a tightly woven green (Olive Drab No. 7) cotton web with oxidised blackened brass fittings. Three rows of eyelets were provided on the belt for the attachment of equipment items. WE'51 was still in production after the introduction of WE'64 and was used by the Regular Force well into the late 1960s. It was on issue to the Reserves until the adoption of Web Equipment 1982 Pattern. Although WE'51 was in production during the Korean War, it was not issued to troops in Korea in any quantity until late 1953, by which time the major fighting was over. WE'51 is still issued to prisoners in the Military Prison in Edmonton as it is difficult and time consuming to clean and maintain. The basic set of 1951 Pattern Equipment for soldiers armed with a rifle or submachine gun consisted of: Waistbelt pair of Braces pair of Ammunition Pouches Mess Tins and Mess Tin Carrier Canteen, Canteen Cup and Carrier Bayonet Frog and Bayonet Small Pack