WW2 ammo pouch questions

[Jason60chev]

The lower Pack carrier of the M1910 and M1928 haversacks were to carry the blanketroll/shelter half/pegs. Experience in WWI showed that wearing and moving about with the fully loaded haversack/pack carrier was very cumbersome and uncomfortable. probably, by WWII, you see just the upper portion haversack being used. I am very surprised that the US Army did not adopt packs
based on the double and single bag packs that were prominent during the American Civial War. With those packs, a variety of items could be carried inside, there was a flap opening at top...not the hook and strap affair of the M1910......and a blanket could easily be carried strapped to the top. I guess by time WWI came about, soldiers were not expected to have full marking gear, but just enough to last a few to several days in the field. The Marine Corps M1941 pack was very good......which I think the army did take note of when they designed a new pack in 1944/45.

[MeatMarket]

I discovered the wealth of knowledge on olive-drab.com and did more research elsewhere. Recently I've made tremendous progress in putting together some kits from both wars. I have both M1910 and M1928 haversacks with pack carriers and cartridge belts, the M1928 has a Garand belt. Both have several accessories with more coming in the mail. I'm also waiting on my M1936 pistol belt and suspenders so I can attach the mussette bag I bought. The one I have though was an earlier model that doesn't have the grommets on the front to attach a shovel carrier so I'll have to hang one on the belt. I also just yesterday got a WW2 era mountain pack with frame. It's in good condition except for the leather straps on the outside pockets which are all intact, but are very dry, cracked, and fragile. Was the mountain pack intended to have a waist strap? I didn't see where one could be attacked, but the pack I got did come with an extra canvas strap with a clip on one end and a D ring on the other, but I could't identify it's function. It wasn't attached to anything. Without a waist strap, the mountain pack is not a very comfortable pack to wear.

I am very surprised that the US Army did not adopt packs
based on the double and single bag packs that were prominent during the American Civial War

I agree with this statement. The M1910 and M1928 packs were neat ideas at the time I suppose. They would have been a better success if they had zippers instead of the straps which were tedious to open and close.

[gijills]

the Marines had a web belt (the one that goes on your pants) that had snaps all around it to put carbine pouches on it. From the meterial I have read that most peole that carried a carbine in WW II carried a minimal amount of ammo usally a max of 4 clips. Remember that the carbine was issued to people that really had a job that required them to carry other things like radios aor a ammo bearer it was designed to lighten thier load from carrying a 12 Lb grand.
In the cleaning canteen subject I use hot water 1-2 drops of soap and playground sand. swish it around and rinse. lead can leave bad stuff behind sand is a good abraisive.
Skip

[gsimmons]

Skip,
The trouser belt with the snaps on it was for demolition charges not for carbine pouches. I know it looks like it could,but they are in the wrong place for that.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Looking forward to photos of your gear sets when you get them done MeatMarket

GI's universally hated the M1928 pack. By design, it was laid out flat to load everything in it, then rolled up to whatever size it turned out to be for whatever it held and tied up before putting the straps around their shoulders to carry it - To access gear inside, the reverse had to be done every time. I'm also surprised they didn't design a new pack system for WWII because everyone hated the 1910 pack that was used in WWI which was the same basic design. The pack tail was almost like an afterthought and you can see from period photos it was seldom used.

The integrated suspenders on the pack worked well though - they attached to a variety of whatever ammo belt was needed and they helped to distribute the load of the belt and the gear that could be attached to the belts.

Below is a pre-WWII training photo of the pack with a tail attached

[browningautorifle]

lead can leave bad stuff behind sand is a good abraisive.

I think I did mention steel shot. Check Post#8. Not lead.

[MeatMarket]

most peole that carried a carbine in WW II carried a minimal amount of ammo usally a max of 4 clips

I'll keep this in mind then when building my kit for carbine configuration. I have a M1936 web belt and suspenders for it coming in the mail. I suppose I'll just use two pouches.

Looking forward to photos of your gear sets when you get them done MeatMarket

I definitely will. It's almost complete. I even have a bacon tin and condiment can. Mess kit w/pouch and utensils are on the way. I need to get a blanket too to put in the carrier. Greatwar.com actually has original blankets from the war period. I also just got a bolo knife to hang on it too. I know they weren't issued to everyone, but I figured I'd maximize the loadout.

I think I did mention steel shot. Check Post#8. Not lead.

I'm going to pick up some steel BB's and a can of Ajax today.

[gijills]

Sorry I missed the steel part. just saw shot. . Another note on canteens if you need a new cork the cork out of a champaine bottle works good cut it trim it and super glue it in.

[MeatMarket]

@ gigills: Good tip, I'll need to do that too.

@ Harlan: Did you notice the soldier in the photo has his shoulder straps snapped to the bottom of the pack carrier instead of his belt?