VG+ / EXC ORIGINAL KHAKI ARMY M1910 HAVERSACK & PACK TAIL, DATED 7/18 & 4/18

Description

This is an original, matched set of M1910 US Army haversack and M1910 pack carrier (pack "tail"). The set is in excellent condition. This is the basic type of enlisted man's field pack used in both WWI and WWII. Prior to WWII, the M1910 haversack was slightly revised, resulting in the M1928 haversack. Differences are minor, the M1910 haversack has a single rear strap and hook for attaching to a cartridge or pistol belt, while the M1928 had two such straps. The meat can (mess kit) pouch on front closed with a brass button on the M1910 haversack, and with a strap and buckle on the M1928 haversack. They were basically the same, and many WWI-era M1910 haversacks were used in WWII. This set has nice 1918 dates from April and July of that year, making it probable that the set was used in WWI. **************** The haversack is made of a khaki cotton canvas, with blackened brass hooks, d-rings, strap tips, buckles, grommets, and buttons. It is stamped with "U.S." on the front flap below the meat can pouch, and "LONG 7-18" inside, indicating that it was manufactured in the summer of 1918 by the R.H. Long Company. The R.H. Long Company was founded in 1903 in Framingham, Massachusetts by Richard Henry Long, a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1918 and 1918 (he lost both times to Calvin Coolidge). Long's company was started to manufacture shoes, but during WWI he converted his facilities to manufacture military gear. Long later founded a car company, which in 1922 began manufacturing an automobile known as the "Bay State Car." His company's production of automobiles ceased in 1926, but in 1927 he founded the R. H. Long Motor Sales Company, which is still in business today under the name Long Automotive Group, with dealerships in Southborough and Webster, Massachusetts. The pack tail is stamped U.S. near the bottom, and P.B. & C. 4-18 on back.  There is also an inspector's initials near the 4-18, this is "M.G." The pack tail has its original leather "lace" for attaching to the M1910 haversack. The haversack is also stamped with unit markings, "29D" on the inside of the meat can pouch flap, and also on the inside bottom of the haversack. The pack tail is stamped with "G-211" near the top of the flap. The inside of the tail is stamped with "G-211-57." ************** The set of haversack and pack tail is in very good plus to excellent condition. The pack is complete with all straps, buttons, hooks, D-rings, strap tips, tabs, and grommets. The meat can pouch is in very good condition with its original brass button. The pack tail has its original leather lace, this is darkened from age but still fully functional. Both pieces show some light wear, soiling, some small stains, and a bit of fading, but the color is a nice khaki and the U.S. and other stamps are distinct. This is a nice set, with good dates from spring and summer of 1918.   ************** The M1910/1928 haversack was the basic pack used by the US Army infantry enlisted man during WWI and most of WWII.  This model of pack can be seen in photographs of the American Doughboys in France, and the M1910 pack can also be seen in photos of WWII soldiers during the early years of the war.
************ Free shipping to a US address. Non-US buyers pay exact postage costs only. I am always happy to combine multiple purchases into a single parcel to save on shipping costs.