Review of individual ammunition carrying equipment across various periods in China

The above covers the individual ammunition-carrying equipment used across various periods in China.

With the advent of firearms as modern weapons, specialized ammunition-carrying equipment for guns also emerged. There are many types and styles of ammunition-carrying gear, designed for pistols, rifles, submachine guns, and machine guns. Of course, there are also various styles such as chest rigs, belt-mounted carriers, leather cases, and sling-style carriers.

This article will review the individual ammunition-carrying equipment used in various periods of China.

1. The War of Resistance Against Japan to the Liberation War Period

Sling-style Rifle Ammunition Pouch: This was the most common type of ammunition-carrying equipment in China during the War of Resistance Against Japan. It is also a type of sling-style ammunition pouch, primarily made of cotton fabric, giving it a simple and rough appearance. The entire pouch consists of 10 to 16 compartments, each capable of holding 5 rounds of rifle ammunition. The opening of each compartment is equipped with a tie strap to prevent the bullets from falling out.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, whether it was the regular troops of the National Revolutionary Army, local forces, or ordinary soldiers of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, this sling-style ammunition pouch was widely used.

Type 30 Ammunition Pouch: During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army captured a large number of Type 30 ammunition pouches used by the Japanese military, primarily for carrying ammunition for the Type 38 rifle. After being reorganized following capture, some of these pouches continued to be issued to soldiers for use.

The Japanese military's ammunition pouches were made of cowhide, with each pouch containing two compartments capable of holding a total of 30 rounds of ammunition. Typically, three such pouches were used as a set-two placed at the front of the abdomen and one at the back of the waist.

Type 99 Ammunition Pouch: Entering the late stages of the War of Resistance Against Japan, as the Japanese military began to equip itself with the 7.7mm Type 99 rifle, a corresponding leather ammunition pouch was designed to carry 7.7mm rounds. This was referred to as the "Type 99 Rifle Ammunition Pouch" or the "Type 99 Ammunition Carrying Equipment." Similar to the earlier Type 30 ammunition pouch, a soldier typically carried three of these pouches.

At the time, some of the Type 99 ammunition pouches were captured by the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army and continued to be used alongside the Type 99 rifles. However, their numbers were far fewer compared to the Type 30 ammunition pouches.

French-Style Ammunition Carrying Equipment: During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Yunnan Army in the southwestern region of China also equipped a small quantity of French-style ammunition carrying gear. This was because the early Yunnan Army units primarily relied on French equipment, including a significant number of French rifles such as the Lebel M1886 series. Consequently, the ammunition carrying equipment designed for these rifles was also introduced.

This type of carrying gear is belt-shaped, consisting of eight interconnected leather pouches. Each pouch is equipped with a snap button to secure the ammunition inside. The entire set is made of cowhide and exhibits fine craftsmanship.

Chiang Kai-shek Rifle Ammunition Pouch: During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the German-equipped divisions of the National Revolutionary Army, which were outfitted with the Chiang Kai-shek rifle (a Chinese copy of the German Mauser), also produced a locally made version of the Mauser ammunition pouch. This imitation closely resembled the original in both appearance and structure and was referred to as the "Chiang Kai-shek Rifle Ammunition Pouch."

A set of these pouches also came in a three-pouch configuration, capable of holding 45 rounds of 7.92mm rifle ammunition. In combat, a soldier typically carried two such sets, providing a total ammunition load of 90 rounds per soldier.

Leather Chest Harness for Submachine Guns: In addition to various types of rifle ammunition-carrying equipment, China also imitated Western designs to produce a range of ammunition-carrying gear for submachine guns during that period. For example, the style shown in the image above was primarily used with submachine guns such as the "Flower Gun" and the Shanxi-made Thompson. Later, when American-style submachine guns were introduced into China, their carrying equipment was also designed based on this format, with largely similar overall appearances, only differing in the number of compartments-four, five, or six.

Furthermore, because submachine gun ammunition-carrying equipment is typically worn on the chest and secured with buckles, it is often referred to as a "leather chest harness."

Mauser Pistol Leather Chest Harness: At the time, the Mauser pistol was extremely popular in China. Whether in the military, police forces, or private guards protecting homes and properties, this gun was widely used. As a result, specialized ammunition-carrying equipment was custom-made for the Mauser pistol in China, such as the one shown in the image above.

The entire chest harness is also crafted from cowhide and consists of multiple small leather compartments. Each small compartment can hold ten rounds of ammunition. Of course, there wasn't just one type of leather chest harness for the Mauser pistol; they were produced in various lengths, such as 9-cell, 10-cell, 12-cell, and 13-cell versions.

ZB26 Chest Harness: Apart from the German Mauser pistol, the Czechoslovak ZB26 light machine gun was also very common in China during the War of Resistance Against Japan. Correspondingly, China specially designed an ammunition-carrying equipment for it, known as the "ZB26 Ammunition Carrying Equipment" or the "ZB26 Chest Harness."

Typically, the carrying equipment consists of four leather pouches, with each pouch capable of holding a 20-round magazine for the ZB26 light machine gun. During combat, it would be attached to the soldier's main waist belt, facilitating quick magazine changes for the machine gun.

M1923 Ammunition Pouch: Following the Liberation War, some of the central government forces began transitioning to American equipment, which included a number of American rifles, such as the Springfield M1903 series. Naturally, the corresponding U.S.-made M1923 ammunition pouches were also issued for use with these rifles.

The M1923 ammunition pouch is made of canvas and primarily comes in a khaki color. It typically consists of ten connected compartments, with the entire belt capable of carrying 50 rounds of ammunition.

2. After the Founding of the People's Republic of China

Type 50 Submachine Gun Chest Harness: In 1950, China produced a domestic copy of the Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun, along with its associated ammunition-carrying equipment. This equipment was designated in China as the "Type 50 Submachine Gun Ammunition Pouch" or "Type 50 Chest Harness."

Its overall appearance and craftsmanship were largely identical to the Soviet PPSh-41 ammunition pouch. It also featured four magazine compartments, capable of carrying four 35-round magazines in total. The main body of the chest harness was made of thick canvas material, while the flaps of the magazine compartments were crafted from leather.

During the Korean War, the Type 50 submachine gun chest harness was widely issued to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

Type 53 Rifle Ammunition Pouch: In 1953, China successfully produced a domestic version of the Soviet Mosin-Nagant M1944 carbine, which was designated as the Type 53 carbine in China. Subsequently, a specialized ammunition-carrying equipment was designed for this rifle, known as the Type 53 Rifle Ammunition Pouch. This was also a belt-style carrying system.

The Type 53 Rifle Ammunition Pouch was made from relatively coarse fabric. It consisted of ten compartments, with each small compartment capable of holding a 5-round stripper clip. Thus, the entire ammunition belt could carry 50 rounds of ammunition.

Type 53 Leather Ammunition Pouch: In addition to the fabric ammunition pouches, a leather ammunition case was later developed for the Type 53 carbine. Similar to the Japanese Type 30 ammunition pouches used during the War of Resistance Against Japan, these were typically attached to the main waist belt during combat, with each soldier carrying 2 to 3 of them.

However, the Type 53 leather ammunition pouch was not in use for an extended period and was eventually replaced by fabric ammunition pouches.

Type 56 Semi-Automatic Rifle Ammunition Pouch: In 1956, China produced a domestic version of the Soviet SKS semi-automatic rifle, which was designated as the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle domestically. Alongside this, customized ammunition-carrying equipment for the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle was also developed, commonly referred to as the "Type 56 Chest Harness."

Similar to the earlier Type 53 ammunition pouches, the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle chest harness consists of ten independent pockets. Each pocket can hold 10 rounds of ammunition, allowing the entire harness to accommodate a total of 100 rounds.

Type 56 Submachine Gun Chest Harness: In the same year, 1956, China produced a domestic version of the Soviet AK-47, known as the Type 56 automatic rifle, which is also commonly referred to as the Type 56 submachine gun. Correspondingly, a specialized ammunition-carrying equipment was designed for this firearm, often called the "Type 56 Chest Harness" by veterans.

The Type 56 chest harness consists of six independent compartments. The three central compartments are specifically designed to hold magazines, allowing for the carriage of six 30-round magazines in total. The four smaller compartments on the left and right sides can be used to store firearm tools.

Type 64 Submachine Gun Chest Harness: Entering the 1960s, China developed the Type 64 silenced submachine gun. A specialized ammunition-carrying equipment, known as the Type 64 submachine gun chest harness, was also designed for this firearm. Its materials and craftsmanship were similar to those of the earlier Type 56 chest harness, though the layout differed.

The Type 64 submachine gun chest harness could carry four magazines. The two larger central compartments were designed to hold other tools. Later chest harnesses for the Type 79 and Type 85 submachine guns were also designed based on this format.

Type 81 Rifle Chest Harness: Entering the 1980s, the Type 81 automatic rifle was introduced, along with its accompanying ammunition-carrying equipment, known as the Type 81 chest harness. It is said that this design was an improvement over the earlier Type 56 chest harness, retaining similar materials and overall structure. However, the Type 81 chest harness was modified to feature four magazine compartments, with one small pocket removed from each side.

By the late 1990s, as China began to develop tactical vests, ammunition-carrying equipment was no longer designed as standalone items. Instead, it became integrated into or matched with tactical vests. As a result, separate ammunition pouches and chest harnesses were phased out, with their functions now incorporated into individual soldier protective gear.

Entering the 21st century, as China began equipping soldiers with tactical body armor and modular individual protective gear, ammunition-carrying equipment has further evolved beyond standalone gear. It now adapts in tandem with individual protective gear, allowing for flexible configurations based on varying combat environments and operational needs.