Nkomo Posted April 19, 2009 Share #1 Posted April 19, 2009 Picked this piece up yesterday at the local surplus shop. Not entirely sure what it is/was used for. I'm hoping some of you WW2 experts can tell me. I picked this up as well as some SAW camouflage top covers and a BEAUTIFUL WW1 German belt buckle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted April 19, 2009 More pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted April 19, 2009 This piece will be for sale when I figure out what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bank Vault Posted April 19, 2009 Share #4 Posted April 19, 2009 Maybe a harness for climbing rocks and such? We have these in construction to keep you from falling 6 stories and going splat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmjordan77 Posted April 19, 2009 Share #5 Posted April 19, 2009 Is it a military telephone lineman's rope?? Wrap around the pole, using spikes and climb the telephone pole?? Thats my best guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted April 19, 2009 Share #6 Posted April 19, 2009 Probably not just for the 37mm. They are for dragging equipment. Dont remember the correct name for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted April 19, 2009 Share #7 Posted April 19, 2009 It is called a trace. There are different styles depending on what is being pulled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted April 19, 2009 Share #8 Posted April 19, 2009 Probably not just for the 37mm. They are for dragging equipment. Dont remember the correct name for them. That looks like work, even with five guys. I wonder how far the would move it that way? You have to love the name of the canvas company that made those: Five Filer Brothers. It sounds like a circus act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted April 19, 2009 Thanks guys for the identification!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kphfun Posted April 19, 2009 Share #10 Posted April 19, 2009 Probably not just for the 37mm. They are for dragging equipment. Dont remember the correct name for them. Great I.D. ! Guess it was good to be a Corporal, looks like you didn't have to carry a shovel or tow a line! Love the varying web config's also.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtpcamaroz Posted April 20, 2009 Share #11 Posted April 20, 2009 In Enjames' first edition GI collectors book, he identifies this as an M-1918 drag rope that could be used to haul a light artillery piece, cart or sled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted April 21, 2009 Share #12 Posted April 21, 2009 I didn't think to look in the GI collector set but the instruction sheet that is issued with the item refers to it as a Trace. They come in one and two man variety. I have US made khaki tan, UK made for US khaki tan and US made in white camo. I'm not sure off the top of my head which are one man or two man. Most of those I have are the type used to pull snow sleds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted April 21, 2009 Share #13 Posted April 21, 2009 As stated its a trace harness often seen in Mountain gear set ups to for pulling sleds. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted April 23, 2009 Share #14 Posted April 23, 2009 I finally got a chance to copy some info on the Trace Harness. Nkomo, the harness you have is like the one shown pulling the 37 MM Gun. The info I have to post is related to snow gear for pulling sleds but it is the same principle. This is the instruction sheet that came with the Trace Harness when issued. This is an undated document. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted April 23, 2009 Share #15 Posted April 23, 2009 This is the manual that covers such gear. Since the harness is not included in the original issue of the manual I conclude it did not exist in this design in October, 1944 or came into existence to late to be included in the first printing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_pickrall Posted April 23, 2009 Share #16 Posted April 23, 2009 This is change 2 to the manual dated FEB 13, 1946. The harness is included at this point. Since the war was over there was probably no rush to update the manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted August 29, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 29, 2009 Just found this reference the other day. Rope, Drag with shoulder strap M-1918 This Drawing can be found here. http://www.lrgaf.org/articles/blueprints2.htm Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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