Safety Pin on every bandolier. Why?

[PushPull]

I received a NATO M855 600 rd can. Not having served, I don't know why there is a black saftey pin on each of the (6) 100 rd bandoliers.

I can guess why it is black but where am I to stick it? :D

Regards,

[Iraq Ninja]

It can be used to make it into a chest rig by pinning the middle of the strap to the bandoleer. I am sure there are a bunch of reasons, but that is what I always thought it was for.

I just did a google and it turns out they date back to WW2 and were intended to prevent the bandoleer from bouncing around, by pinning it to your clothes or to take up the slack.

[oakmax]

Stripper loaders are pinned to the bando.
cw