Haversack

The four dees on the assembled Belt allowed prior purchased Haversacks with dog clips, intended for attachment to Sam Browne Belts, to be retained. However, for those with money to burn, Mills produced a substitute: a Haversack of Patt. ’14 wedge section, with the triangular sides extended and tapered  into short weather flaps. The main flap closed overall and was secured by a pair of ¾-inch flap straps, with 1-inch Brace buckles on the side panel chapes. This was a plain design, not fitted out for carriage on the wearer’s back. It was not internally partitioned. From the Paul Hannon Collection, photographs ©Paul Hannon 2010.

 

Pack

Priced at 1d more than the standard Patt. ’08 Pack, the difference is thought to represent the addition of two short webbing loops, either on the flap, or main body. No separate Strap, mess tin was listed in this design, but a 1 x 21-inch web strap has been noted, which could easily function in the role. Issue and Private Purchase Tins more usually had a leather strap, sold with them. Advertisements illustrate many circular “compendiums”, in superior metals and finishes, but listings also include the standard O.R., tinned steel, issues of Tins, mess, D.S and Tins, mess, M.S. The Dismounted Services type has a D-section, the Mounted Services being circular. That said, it is a rare thing to see any officer carrying a mess-tin! The officer’s baggage was more usually carried on unit transport – cart, wagon, or bât animal. KW has not yet seen an example of a Pack meeting this description.

 

Rucksack

Both Hazell adverts show a Rucksack, though this is not in the Vocabulary group of “Experimental”. This was of Belgian M-1915 form, with fixed, but adjustable shoulder straps having Hooks at the junction of the 2-inch shoulder strap and the 1-inch counter (under-arm) strap, forming the familiar “L” arrangement. The Hook connected to the 4-bar buckles on Compass and Ammunition pouches. Pairs of blanket straps were stitched to each side panel, with a fifth strap stitched on top of the flap. Both counter straps are adjustable for length, with captive buckles. The left side base attachment is permanent, the doubled portion being attached to a brass loop. The right side, also adjustable, instead has a loose brass loop in the doubled part. This engaged to a broad strip, blanked and pressed to a hook, fixed permanently to the base. Centrally, just above the bottomline of the Rucksack’s rear face, is a strap and keyway. This was passed round the Strap, back adjustment, to prevent “pack bounce”. The keyway engages a stud mounted in the Rucksack base, the same design being later used in Patt. ’19 W.E.. A pair of horizontal flap loops allow fitment of a loose Strap, mess tin and there is a known, fine weave Carrier, mess tin, with web strap, albeit none is listed in this Vocabulary block. Maker marked "M.E. Co." and dated 1917. From the Paul Hannon Collection, photographs © Paul Hannon 2010.

Rucksack details, showing (far left) the right side strap with its removable hook, and (near left), the top of the rucksack showing the two fixed shoulder straps.

 

 

 

 

Detail shots showing mess tins fitted to the Rucksack flap. Far left, the round cavalry tin in its cover; near left, the "dee" shaped infantry tin in its cover.