M1 Garand Belt "USMC"

During the Korean War, the standard belt worn by Marines for the M1 Garand was the M1923 Dismounted Cartridge Belt. While the design remained largely identical to the World War II version, there were specific differences in color and markings typical for the era.

Key Features of the Korean War USMC Belt

• Model: The M1923 Dismounted Cartridge Belt featured 10 individual pockets.
• Capacity: Each of the 10 pockets was designed to hold one 8-round M1 Garand en-bloc clip, for a total of 80 rounds.
• Color: Most belts used in Korea were in Olive Drab No. 7 (OD7), a dark green shade. This replaced the lighter khaki or OD3 shades common in early WWII.
• Markings: Marine-issued belts were typically stamped with a "USMC" proof mark. 1950s-era belts often featured a thinner font for these markings compared to earlier versions.
• Internal Straps: Unlike standard Army-contracted belts from the same period, USMC-contracted M1923 belts often retained the internal stripper clip retaining straps until the end of their production.
• Hardware: While wartime (WWII) economy belts often used zinc alloy "pot metal" buckles, belts produced or reissued in the 1950s generally returned to brass hardware. 

Equipment Integration

Marines in Korea commonly used a mix of equipment, often utilizing WWII surplus alongside newer production. The cartridge belt was typically supported by M1941 or M1945 suspenders to help distribute the weight of the ammunition and attached gear like canteens and first aid pouches.