Just wondering how many zippered canvas cleaning kits with the Parker Hale cleaning rods were carried by white size of formation and by whom. One per section? Did the C2 gunners have their own? Did the GMPG gunners have one as well?

And, would anybody in or around Calgary have a spare combo tool for an outrageously low price?

During my summer service in the early 70's on a call-out with the 8th Hussars for Exercise New Viking in the arctic, we carried one kit per 2 man team. So in my team we either carried the kit or the little mountain stove we used for heating our rations as we humped about Ellef Rignes island.

From my Reserve Infantry days back in 1978-1982, we had one cleaning kit pers section; I think the C2 Gunner carried it. Every rifleman, including the C2 Gunner, could keep his weapon clean with the Oil Bottle and Pull-Through which was carried in the Butt and a few 4x2s carried in the Grenade Pouch or suitable pocket. The C1 SMG had its own kit that the Section Commander carried. The section Cleaning Kit came out when everyone was giving their weapons a good cleaning.

The GPMG had its own Cleaning Kit, some of which were from WWII.



SMG Cleaning Kit



FN C1A1 - C2 Cleaning Kit



C6 M1919A4 GPMG Cleaning Kit

Thanks for the info Ed. Seems like 1985 was a big year for making those cleaning kits. Both of mine and many others I have seen were all made in 85.

Hi Kevin,

It's Geoff here. I think I have the tool that you are looking for. Let me search for it this weekend and I will send you a pic.

Cheers,

Geoff

NoTXT

During my time as a C2 gunner with the 3rd Patricia's each C2 gunner was issued with a kit. This was in '77 to '78 and we were transitioning at that time from a rifle section and a C2 group to two fire groups each with a C2.

Here are a couple of images of from two some of the Cleaning Kits in my collection; as well as an image showing three different tryps of Cleaning Rod Handles.

Geoff, I thought I should post a response with a live link to my email.

Let me know what you find.

Thanks,

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I just sent you pictures. I still had your email but thanks for sending it along just the same.

Cheers,

Geoff