ammo belt rubs M!

[Lew Ladwig]

OK,
What is the best order of gear on the M1 garand ammo belt? It seems that the stock of my M1 rubs on most any item that fits on the right side of my belt.
I have seen many pictures and there does not seem to be any real order to the gear. It there a better set up other than putting the canteen on the right?
Lew

[nirvana]

Putting wear on your rifle and gear is part of the reenacting process. I would suggest getting a beater stock if you wish to keep using this particular garand. Eventually, you will drop the rifle, or lean it against a tree and scrape the wood, or something similar.

[Lew Ladwig]

I've already given the stock a few fresh marks. It's just that it's a WWII stock and has some markings from the original user. It just seems that the guys back in the day would have figured out how to arrange the belt so the gear fits best and so the stock stayed nice. It seems there would have been a standard to start with that the guys would have modified by need.
The field guide has some pictures and all the photos show many different set ups.
Lew

[UPNATM]

. It just seems that the guys back in the day would have figured out how to arrange the belt so the gear fits best and so the stock stayed nice. It seems there would have been a standard to start with that the guys would have modified by need.

Lew

Yes your right, as the war dragged on they would modify how they wear their gear to make things more compfortable. But, as far as the G.I.'s being worried about the stock staying nice, I think they had other more important things to worry about, like not getting killed.

[Lew Ladwig]

I was thinking more of how they learned what was comfortable and easy to use. Also, if a bayonet is on the right hip, it will rub the stock of the garand and that would make noise and rub a groove in the stock. I would think they would avoid this. It also seems that in certain locations it would be better to draw the bayonet than others. If the haversack was not used, more gear would go on the belt. That might call for a different layout.
Lew

[Raymond S. Meldrum]

I have owned hundreds of original Garand stocks over the years. The great majority of used stocks show obvious signs of wear against canteen caps, chains etc. as well as the well polished wood grain from it rubbing on canvas covered gear.

Get a new stock (eveythng had to be new once) and make it your own. Every nick and ding will remind you where and when you got it. Best souvineer of you'll ever have.

Peace