Either I'm a Giant or My Military Gear is Shrinking

First off, I'm not a huge guy. Bigger than some at 5'10 and 220lbs but it isn't in my shoulders.

I got a WWI cavalry backpack today, the type that comes in two halves, why I have no idea. But there is no way in the world I could ever use this. I noticed something similar in a cavalry bandoleer I got last week. Now that at least went over my shoulder but was still small and rather tight.

As a biologist, I understand that people have gotten larger back then, maybe unusual but still there.

If not, kind of gives you a bit of perspective on these guys that wimp out shooting those old rifles. Smaller guys back then weren't complaining.

I know from research that German helmets from WWII are often sought out by size and the large ones are the ones everyone wants and they are among the rarest, like 10% of production, yet that is what 80% of people today are needing to wear?

In summary, anyone have a source for average size of various countries combatants from earlier wars? Should be interesting.

You would have to research average European size since 1900, as that will give you the soldier's sizes too. From memory the average WWI British Soldier was about 5'2" and the average upper class, due to better diet, about 5'6". IIRC the average upped about 2" in WWII.

Lee Enfield butt sizes also give you an indication, as the L butt is usually too short for us. The S is really short.

Uniform sizes also give some information. Specifications for vehicle development might also be helpful. I know when South Africa started building armoured cars based on the French Panhard we lengthened the front by some half a meter to fit our soldiers.

I know a man that swore his wife's breadmaker was shrinking his shirts...I guess that's not what we mean here.

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Originally Posted by Daan Kemp

You would have to research average European size since 1900, as that will give you the soldier's sizes too. From memory the average WWI British Soldier was about 5'2" and the average upper class, due to better diet, about 5'6". IIRC the average upped about 2" in WWII.

Lee Enfield butt sizes also give you an indication, as the L butt is usually too short for us. The S is really short.

Uniform sizes also give some information. Specifications for vehicle development might also be helpful. I know when South Africa started building armoured cars based on the French Panhard we lengthened the front by some half a meter to fit our soldiers.

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If those averages are similar to Americans at the time, I understand why this stuff is so small. I have a small friend and put the backpack on him and it fit wonderfully. I'm 5'10", average height for my age group is 5'7"

I think by WWII Americans were starting to pull away from Europe height wise do to better access to food during the depression etc. I don't think the difference was ever huge during the same time period but over time it apparently is.