BACKGROUND: Webbing was a new form of material made from pre shrunk, pre dyed, water proofed, cotton. Originally designed by United States Army officer, Captain Mills, it was adopted by the British after the Boer war showed the inadequacies of the British Slade-Wallace equipment. The Pattern 1908 (P08) web equipment was introduced. It was revolutionary in design allowing it to be taken off and put on in one piece. The Canadian army then followed, as the economics of the war made it a rational choice to adopt the P08 pattern from the British.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: This group consists of a Mills Woven Cartridge belt, an M1908 pistol holder and ammunition pouch. The webbed belt measures approximately 100cm x 5.5cm wide. The brass is marked "Made By Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co, Worcester, MASS, USA." The canvas 1908 pattern tan/khaki-colored webbed holster, about 23cm" tall by 15cm wide at the top tapering down to a reinforcing oval brass cap on the bottom about 5cm diameter bottom. At the top is a " fold over flap with a blackened brass snap that mates with a brass riveted post attached to the front of the holster. Under the flap is an ink marking for "Mills, 1914", as well as a "C" broad arrow (indicating it was issued through the Canadian Quartermasters Office). The bottom has a blackened brass cap extends up the holster about 2.5cm and is held in place by six rivets. The bottom of the cap has a small drainage hole and is stamped the manufacturers mark, an outline of a cartridge/bullet with the name "Mills" inside and "Patented Jun,16;14, Jun,30;14, Sept,15;14". To the reverse is a web strap that has been folded over to form a horizontal loop, though which has been inserted a brass belt hook. Lastly, is an ammunition pouch that is divided into two vertical stacked pockets each with metal snaps. Each pocket is approximately 12cm in length by 5cm in width. The reverse of the pouch has a large webbed loop that is "C" broad arrow marked. Stamped to the inside flap is "Mills 1914" along with another marking. A single suspender is also attached that is "C" broad arrow marked. It measures approximately 27mm wide.