The Pattern 1914 Pack was introduced with the Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1914 in List of Changes entry L. of C. 16977, dated 30 August 1914. The dimensions of the Pack are the same as those of the Patt. '08 Packs, approximately 15-inches tall, 13-inches wide, and 4 1/2-inches deep. According to the L. of C., this Pack is intended to be identical to the Pattern 1908 Pack except for the chapes and tabs. These are leather instead of web and the buckles are tongued, unlike the Pattern 1908 tongueless Twigg buckles. Additionally, there is another pair of 1-inch chapes at the bottom rear of the Pack.

Packs, web, 1st issue

This first issue, British made Pack conforms exactly to the above specification. It is maker marked "M & AH" and dated 1915. From the Chris Pollendine Collection, photographs © Chris Pollendine 2011.

An example of the American made Pack. Identical in type to the British made first issue, but made with double cap and bifurcated rivets, against the British hose rivets. Like the equivalent Haversack, these American web envelopes tend to be a greener, finer quality weave. It appears that all American contracts for Pattern '14 were fulfilled during 1915. No production dates have been noted after then – Consequently, all American made Packs and Haversacks meet this first issue. This one was made by "Cook" and dated 1915. From the Chris Pollendine Collection, photographs © Chris Pollendine 2011.

Packs, web, 2nd issue

The second issue Pattern 1914 Pack was introduced by L. of C. entry 17219, 31 December 1914 / 30 March 1915, which also changed the colour of the leather from "Service Dress" to the "London Brown". The second issue Pack is differentiated by the 6-inch by 2-inch angled tabs at the top rear. In the first issue Pack, these are made of leather. In the second issue, these are web, with two grommeted holes in each. All of the other chapes and tabs are still made of leather. This example is unmarked and undated. From the Chris Pollendine Collection, photographs © Chris Pollendine 2011.

A second issue variation. Quite commonly seen, it is in fact a first issue Pack that has been returned for repair, having the original leather chapes replaced with the second issue webbing.  Maker marked "Waring & Gillow", and again dated 1915. From the Chris Pollendine Collection, photographs © Chris Pollendine 2011.

Packs, web, 3rd issue

The third issue Pattern 1914 Pack was introduced by L. of C. entry 17599, 25 November 1915. In this final version, all of the chapes and tabs are web instead of leather. Also, notice that the buckles on the front flap straps are Patt. '08 style 1-inch tongueless Twigg buckles instead of the tongued type. This example is maker marked "M.W. & S. Ltd." and dated 1916. From the Paul Hannon Collection, photographs © Paul Hannon 2011.

Pack, "Patt. '08/14 Converted"

There is another type of Pack often associated with W.E., Patt. '14, although there doesn't seem to be an entry for it in the L. of C.. As with the Haversacks, the collector's term in use for this version is the "Pattern 1908 / Pattern 1914" Convertible Pack. It has neither the additional lower chapes nor the tongued buckles of true Pattern 1914 Packs, but appears to be simply a Pattern 1908 Pack with two grommeted holes in each rear 2-inch tab. The lower rear buckles & chapes have been removed, & the upper rear buckles replaced with Twigg tongueless ones, presumably using up surplus Pattern '14 by modifying to 1908 Pattern spec.   This example is maker marked "M.W. & S. Ltd." and dated 1916. From the Chris Pollendine Collection, photographs © Chris Pollendine 2011.