100 Years of the Mills 'Hook & Loop' Buckle

An overview of a selection of military belts using the Mills Equipment Company
'hook & loop' buckle design which was first patented in 1919.
/ riflemanmoore
/ riflemanmoore

[@knockerwhite4192]

The Royal Navy PCS Belt is also a mills hook design but with chromed fittings

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed so.

[@Pattern51lover]

Love me that hook and loop

[@RiflemanMoore]

I hear that.

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks for sharing this tried and true design . If it works , don't change it 👍👏

[@RiflemanMoore]

Quite so! Glad you enjoyed.

[@lynnecromack4933]

Funny the 1908 belt system was adjustable, which we came back to using roll-pin buckles off old cargo straps with the 58 patttern belt. The plastic drill belt also came out in white for a while with brass clasp.

[@michaelamos4651]

Great video. Think i had that horrible green plasticy one in the cadets back in the late 70s

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@veuzou]

There's also the French pattern 1950 (not to confuse with the 1953 or 1950/53 with a Rapco square buckle) para belt ("ceinturon TAP Mle1950") very similar to the Belgian one but with only two rows of eyelets. I've seen also a Portuguese version, very similar to to French one but using web loops instead of metal ones.

[@thurin84]

when i got my p37 gear it came with an isreali mfg belt with hook & loop buckle. it looked like a p37 belt with eyelets down the middle.

[@DevinK]

Only one century, it seems like that design has been used for forever everywhere.

[@RiflemanMoore]

True indeed!

[@thebelfastvikingmartinbrow3603]

Funny I was thinking that myself it does seem forever.

[@CharlesPepper]

Great video. Thanks.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks!

[@globalmilitarycollections4591]

I have an East German utv belt and so far it seems like the buckle stays closed much more reliably when you wear the belt inside out.

[@АндрейШмырев-х8н]

Все гениальное просто ... пряжка!!!

[@ascendedfashy9632]

And they're still used today for Australian ceremonial uniform.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed, still pretty prevelant in many countries. As I say this video isn't comprehensive, I'm not sure how long it would end up being if it were!

[@renlin8925]

As well as the British Army, in the RAF air training corps we still use the hook and loop working belt for our mtp greens.

[@DevilbyMoonlight]

I remember those horrid plastic belts, we never really used them, when needed a stable belt would be worn or a '58 belt, rumour was to why was that it was said to rub holes in the jumpers of the Swift & Bold as unlike anyone else we moved around at 140 paces per minute!

[@RiflemanMoore]

That makes a lot of sense, I can well imagine it snagging and chewing a wooly pully to bits. Horrible stuff.

[@olliehain]

i am in sea cadets and we use a a white belt with the buckle cut from long rows of plastic cut to size this i worn white anklets wen carrying the cadet SA80 rifle on parade.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Karkee Web home - www.karkeeweb.com/ 1919 Pattern - www.karkeeweb.com/1919main RAF Officers Equipment - www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/officers/weo_raf 1925 Pattern - www.karkeeweb.com/1925main 1937 Pattern - www.karkeeweb.com/1937main 1944 Pattern - www.karkeeweb.com/1944main 1958 Pattern - www.karkeeweb.com/1958main

[@sgtg4600]

Sliders, or to give them their proper name - Keepers.

[@andrewjohnston4127]

Those green plastic belts were still being issued in the 90s, horrible belts and soon binned in favour of a spare 58 pattern belt or a stable belt. I think I only wore my one with my no2 dress after basic training. With the 95 pattern belts I do remember seeing some belts with a strip of velcro on the inside for adjustment. Not sure where they came from but I was issued the standard one, a length was just cut from the roll and it was thrown at me by the stores bod

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting to hear, I didn't realise they courlene belts were in use into the '90s.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting. That sounds like the army though, for sure. Waste not want not.

[@hardalarboard8876]

How much do P1919 belts normally go for?

[@keithorbell8946]

44 Pattern was used by 1st Airborne in Norway in 1945.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not so, though a common misconception, they are actually using 1937 Pattern but some of the pouches have the late quick-release closure which leads to the misidentification.

[@shaunmarsh7930]

Hated the plastic belt soon got binned but some how I still have two in my collection!?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Subsequently acquired? I agree it is a horrible thing.

[@shaunmarsh7930]

@@RiflemanMoore Na usual extra kit acquisition system ;-)

[@RiflemanMoore]

Ahah, of course! XD

[@norwegianwiking]

The Iraqis also had a lot of 44-ish pattern webbing in use up to the 2003 invasion, seen any of that?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Indeed so, they used a clone of 1958 Pattern webbing as well.

[@joshwalton2946]

The old 95 pattern working belt got binned when arriving at unit after training because it was a horrendous belt

[@RiflemanMoore]

That's certainly true.

[@SuomiFinn42]

How did the buckle not come undone?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Because it hooks securely together.

[@mikel6517]

Hi I want to get an original not a modern copy of the 1958 pattern belt where did you buy yours or do you know who sells originals. Many thanks, I really enjoy your videos

[@RiflemanMoore]

If you want one quickly and easily I advise eBay, if not then a militaria show should turn up plenty in varying condition. Glad to hear you enjoy the videos!

[@andrewcombe8907]

Far superior to the keepers on M1956 webbing. I knew a corporal who took off the keepers and replaced them with the hook and loop.