27Division18 Posted September 16, 2020 Share #1 Posted September 16, 2020 Can anyone help me ID this field pack and the unit stenciled on it? It appears to be a M-1910 us army pack that has been dyed green and has a stenciled unit which looks like: H & S Co. 103 ENG (cannot make out the first digit, may not be a one). There is also a large 65 to the right of the stencil and the customary large US on the outside of the flap. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted September 16, 2020 Share #2 Posted September 16, 2020 You have an M1923 haversack that has been over-dyed for better camouflage. The stencil attributes it to the Headquarters & Service Company of the 103rd Engineer Battalion, which was part of the 28th Infantry Division in WW2. They served in the ETO. You can find their history online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Division18 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted September 17, 2020 29 minutes ago, pararaftanr2 said: You have an M1923 haversack that has been over-dyed for better camouflage. The stencil attributes it to the Headquarters & Service Company of the 103rd Engineer Battalion, which was part of the 28th Infantry Division in WW2. They served in the ETO. You can find their history online. Thanks much for the information. Do you think the application of the green dye was likely period done? have you seen other examples like this on M-1923 packs? Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted September 17, 2020 Share #4 Posted September 17, 2020 Yes, I do believe it is period done and I have seen, and owned, similar examples in the past. Large quantities of web field gear, that was originally khaki in color, were vat-dyed to approximate the dark OD shade adopted in 1943. You will find on these vat-dyed items, in most cases, that the black finish on the metal parts has been removed by the dye process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Division18 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted September 17, 2020 17 minutes ago, pararaftanr2 said: Yes, I do believe it is period done and I have seen, and owned, similar examples in the past. Large quantities of web field gear, that was originally khaki in color, were vat-dyed to approximate the dark OD shade adopted in 1943. You will find on these vat-dyed items, in most cases, that the black finish on the metal parts has been removed by the dye process. Thanks very much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marchville1918 Posted September 17, 2020 Share #6 Posted September 17, 2020 I think that what you have is a 1910 haversack with a 1923 mess kit pouch all dyed dark green during WW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted September 17, 2020 Share #7 Posted September 17, 2020 16 minutes ago, Marchville1918 said: I think that what you have is a 1910 haversack with a 1923 mess kit pouch all dyed dark green during WW2. I agree. I was working from memory (a bad idea). The M1928 haversack (not M1923 as I previously misstated) had two rear straps for connection to the cartridge belt, not the single strap on the M1910 model, which yours clearly has. Thanks for the correction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Flage Guy Posted September 26, 2020 Share #8 Posted September 26, 2020 Neat Pack you picked up there- Unit stenciled, no less! That re-dyed web gear is always worth picking up, as far as I'm concerned. As the other guys have said, vat-dyeing tan/light O.D. gear was a significant action in the transitional period of 1942-43 when equipment and clothing was undergoing major modifications. I've got a fair pile of it, but no group shot yet. Below, a couple of 1918 Stitched Mounted Belts and an M1942 Field Dressing Pouch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27Division18 Posted September 26, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted September 26, 2020 Thanks for the insights. Do you find that the green vat dying was more common in the ETO or the Pacific? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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