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Machinegun bag? Map Case?


FSBE
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I bought this shoulder slung bag for 20 bucks and the guy I bought it from said it was a bag that a Machine gunner would keep his notes in. (For range calculations etc.) but I also feel like it could be some type of Map case as well. The only stamp reads "US ARMY" on the inside. Anybody know exactly what it is?

 

http://i.imgur.com/Vw4or5p.jpg

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crotalus358

I think what you have is a later (post-WWII) version of an officer's map case. I have an example that is identical that came w a 28th division officer's grouping. I say it may be post-war as I'm not aware of a reference to these in either the GI Collector's Guide or Doughboy to GI (unless I missed it), and based upon the service record of the officer whose' grouping I have, and when he was commissioned ('46). Hope this helps.

 

BTW, the one that I have almost feels like it's made from a waterproofed canvas.

 

Steve

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It looks like it is from WW1 or between wars to me.

I almost feel like you're spot on with this. If it was post war it would be in a different shade. However it could be a British made bag for the Army.

 

New photo of the inside posted as well

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C'mon give me a break! That stamp is as fake as a three dollar bill! And it's really easy to see that!

Ronnie

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My first impression upon seeing it is that it was British-made. I don't buy that "US Army" stamp at all!

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They mean fake as in not supposed to be there.

Maybe you just need a closer up photo. It definitely looks like a real stamp closer up.
yQ9XdyI.jpg

 

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I understood what they meant by a 'fake stamp'. It's obviously an ink stamp but it seemed like it was real to me. However I'm beginning to rethink that. I can't say I've seen Army gear marked so obviously as to what branch used it like this one.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've got one at home just like it. It's for carrying the firing tables for the .30 caliber machine guns. The tables are laminated to a plywood board and held in that case.

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I've got one at home just like it. It's for carrying the firing tables for the .30 caliber machine guns. The tables are laminated to a plywood board and held in that case.

Thank you for clarifying this!

 

Do you know when they were made or what they are designated?

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