some 1942 dated web gear

[RCS]

Attachment 24478Attachment 24477Attachment 24476Attachment 24479Attachment 24480Found some web gear that was all dated 1942

Information

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[Mohawk]

Looks to be a BAR Belt and a Thompson Drum Pouch. Nice pieces. In My area, they bring a bit O' cash...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Thanks, RCS! The 1942 dated gear is harder to find because most of it was issued and the dates were obliterated with use.

I'll look to see If I can find anything I have left with 41 or 42 dates. I had some gear with the earlier dates but I sold a bunch of my stuff when I went through a divorce a few years ago.

I hated selling it, but it was like having money in the bank in a pinch because it was so easy to sell and also get more cash back out of it than I paid for it.

[browningautorifle]

Not just the dates were obliterated Harlan, most of the guys using the early gear were obliterated too. Operation torch, Guadalcanal...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Yup, sadly you're correct Jim.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I looked through everything I could find and this is all the 1942 marked gear I could find.

Two field packs, shovel cover, legging, carbine 'stock' pouch

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I found a 1942 dated 16" bayonet and a shovel that I have to use my imagination to make out a 2 at the end. (Could be anything)

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On the subject of the shovel - Does anyone have any hard facts about these? I researched and heard they were made for the USMC for lightness. All I've seen are made by the same company. They actually are a lot lighter than the folding shovel. They are aren't made from broken folding shovels because they have a special bracket. Just wondered if anyone knew for certain.

[JohnMOhio]

I don't recall seeing any shovel like that before. Most early ones had a "T" handle.

John

[P-07ShortLee]

RCS nice stuff!

The shovel is a bit of a mystery, the exact origin of them is not clear but yours is probably dated 1944 or 1945. The two major issue shovels used by the US in WW2 were the old M1910 pattern (both left over from WW1 and some new WW2 production) also known as a "T" handel and the M1943 folding shovel, the blade was hinged and the dates range from 1943-1945.

Looks like a USMC canteen cover in the bottom (right) photo?

[RCS]

Attachment 24520Harlan, You have some really nice examples of 1942 dates. I remember something about the short shovel too - just can not recall. I found some more 1942 dated examples, Boyt 42 sling still with the brass hooks - did not last too much longer. Also my only SA 1942 M1 rifle from June 1942, with S-A 6-42 bbl and everything else including the 1942 first type 1 locking bar (its original)

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Harlan, You have some really nice examples of 1942 dates. I remember something about the short shovel too - just can not recall. I found some more 1942 dated examples, Boyt 42 sling still with the brass hooks - did not last too much longer. Also my only SA 1942 M1 rifle from June 1942, with S-A 6-42 bbl and everything else including the 1942 first type 1 locking bar (its original)

Thanks, but you really DO have some nice stuff! I love your M1, and the sling is awesome!

The shovel is a bit of a mystery, the exact origin of them is not clear but yours is probably dated 1944 or 1945. The two major issue shovels used by the US in WW2 were the old M1910 pattern (both left over from WW1 and some new WW2 production) also known as a "T" handel and the M1943 folding shovel, the blade was hinged and the dates range from 1943-1945.

Looks like a USMC canteen cover in the bottom (right) photo?

I just put the three types side by side for the first time and noticed they're much different than I thought they were. The 1943 folding shovel has quite a bit longer handle and the blade is a bit different too. The oddball shovel's blade is a bit more rounded and it fits the M1910 carrier exactly like the M1910 shovel. I put the M1943 shovel in the M1910 carrier with the shovel extended and the blade is too long, and hinge too fat to fit very well. The odd shovel fits into the M1943 carrier, but with the squared side down it doesn't fit the taper of the carrier so the flap won't close.



Yes, that's a USMC canteen carrier. I didn't realize it was the first pattern until Lloyd (LimeyCarbineLover) told me a few days ago. It doesn't show up very well in the photos, but the top portion material for the 'dog ears' is a shade darker than the lower fabric.
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