20mm (?) disintegrating belt links

[Tucker]

Can anyone identify these 20mm (?) disintegrating belt links?

I was sold them at a military show (air or tank, I forget) some years ago, and was told they were Hispano links, and at the time I knew no better. They do fit my Hispano rounds perfectly as you can see. They came packed 8 to a waxy cardboard box, but unfortunately I seemed to have misplaced the box.




The writing on the links says:

REGD. DESIGN

T F & S L

PATENTED

Any help much appreciated.

 

[hangarman]

Made by Thomas French and Son Ltd
Dont know what period they are from but are a different shape to my hispano links.
Cheers
Hangarman

 

[Tucker]

Thanks Hangarman.

Yes I've owned both Mk.1 and Mk.3 (two piece) Hispano links before, so know what they look like. Sadly I sold both the links before I realised what they were (believing these links to be Mk.1 Hispano links...oh well, we live and learn)

Any idea where I might be able to some help with identification?

 

[Big Dave]

Just pick this box of French's Patented 20mm Ammo Links up from Newark Arms Fair today ,I take it that there the same as in this thread ?.Are they for the Hispano ? Anybody tell me when they were made ?

 

[gravelbelly]

This open loop disintegrating link differs from standard Hispano links and was a patented design by Thomas French and Sons Limited. It was developed in order to be able to make the links from mild steel and thus save costs and the use of strategic materials which were used in spring steel.

There were several variations of these links but this seems to be the most common type to have survived. My carton is marked "THIS CARTON CONTAINS 7 LINKS" and 8 links would not fit in it.

The TF&S drawing for this link is numbered 723B and dated 13.11.53. A variation with a "C" shaped auxiliary spring on the centre loop is drawing number 951A and dated 5th April 1955.

gravelbelly

 

[Big Dave]

Thanks Gravelbelly, this is a 7 link box,I was a bit confused by the patented bit ,my thinking been the War Department/ MOD wouldn't want to pay to much for 20mm links,by the way I picked these up for £3 ,just on a hunch they were something different

 

[bdgreen]

Thomas French & Sons brochure, 1940s.

 

[TimG]

It appears that Thomas French and Sons were originally primarily textile manufacturers. During the Great War one of their products was woven cartridge belts for machine guns. After the war, their experience manufacturing the belts inspired them to design and manufacture 'Rufflette', the world's first pocketed curtain pleating tape.

TimG