Folding Wire Cutter in P37 Canvas Bag

During the Second World War, the standard equipment of the British Army included a heavy folding wire cutter, combined with a custom-made Pattern 1937 canvas pouch.

The Pattern 1937 canvas pouch

• Material: Made of a very sturdy, heavy khaki/sand-colored woven cotton (webbing).
• Design: Features a long, narrow shaft that holds the cutting blades, with a wider top section and a protective cover flap.
• Closure and attachment: Equipped with a sturdy brass press stud on the front. The back features brass hooks or loops to attach the pouch directly to the soldier's waist belt.

The WW2 wire cutter

• Mechanism: Uses a lever system with overlapping jaws, powerful enough to cut through thick German barbed wire and obstacles.
• Folding versions: Many models had handles that could be folded to save space while walking, and unfolded for maximum leverage while cutting.