Different M1A1 Carry Case

[painter777]

Fellow member Hunterman came across a M1A1 Case we've never seen.
He gave me the OK to share his pictures.
Thoughts are it may have been special made by Quarter Masters or Riggers. It is unmarked except a couple names handwritten on it that aren't fully legible.
The case was with an M1A1 that spent time in New Zealand.

I remember our post about some M1A1's being with the 503 PIR.
Lot of Rigger work done in New Zealand and Australia when the 503d PIR arrived Dec 1942 then Trained for 9 months,
Before they Jumped on Nadzab/Markum Valley Sep 5th 1943.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=67618

Anyone ever seen one like this ?

Attachment 112436Attachment 112437Attachment 112438Attachment 112439Attachment 112440Attachment 112441Attachment 112442Attachment 112443

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[painter777]

To go along with the pictures above of the Case we've never seen, I'm adding this link so you can see the ones we're familiar with.
Note that on this link it mentions-
"Variations with attached double magazine pouches and / or white parachute harness material are well known as highly collectable."

Though I can't make out any white stitching on our example, it does have the attached double magazine pouch.
The shape and color suggest it is early and shaped like no other.
Is it for jumping with? Rigger made ? In theatre made ? Foreign made ?
I can't answer these questions at this time.

See known examples:
https://www.pararesearchteam.com/Air...borne-012.html

[jimb16]

That design make me wonder if it wasn't made for military police use. I know they were issue a fair number of M1A1s. Might be a possible area worth investigating.

[painter777]

Owner was able to ID 1 signature written on it. A New Zealander named E. Barham from Te Awamutu. That is located just West of the secret US / Allied troops training camps in Rotorua, that Mike from New Zealand located. Owner also found records of Edwin George Barham's enlistment.
There's 1 more signature... ??N SHEPARD USMC.

A Australian told me if the fasteners were marked Carr Aust. He said it would be Australian.
If marked United Carr... He says Canada.
Snaps are marked United Carr.

I have 2 video links here that show Paratroopers (503 PIR) getting ready for take off for the jump on Nadzab/Markum Valley Sep 5th 1943.
You used to be able to look at single frame stills, but I couldn't get that to work.
Play and stop often. I was able to see the Modified Type II Griswold cases with the extension sewn on. I seen some simple looking put together cases that appeared to be for their M1A1 and I seen many carrying theirs loose in no type of case.
Read some today about how many riggers Quartermasters had there at this time period, which was described as very large. Quartermaster had taken over large warehouses and areas of the wharves also using locals for fabrication.
All eyes were on this operation as it was a integral part of the PTO land battles and MacArthur's pet project.

HD Stock Video Footage - U.S. Paratroopers are briefed with sand table in Nadzab, New Guinea.

HD Stock Video Footage - Allied paratroopers jump in Markham Valley, New Guinea.

[mrclark303]

Very interesting piece Charlie, thanks for posting mate....