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1912 Cavalry Ration Bags (WWI Medic's Bags)


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US Victory Museum

I own these two pattern 1912 cavalry ration bags. It would be

more accurate to describe them as Great War era medic's bags,

since that's what they were used for at that time.

 

The olive colored one on the right is mfg by RIA (Rock Island

Arsenal), and is dated 1917; it appears unused and is complete

in that it has the detachable stay straps that somehow always get

separated from these packs.

 

The one on the left is dated Nov. 1918 (Post war - c'mon 11 days!)

It's missing the stays (2 pair).

 

My question isn't about the bags, but the dates of the bags that

people have in their collections, or have seen in circulation at

shows, or for sale anywhere.

 

I watch for these bags on Ebay. If the price is right, I'd gladly

buy a complete bag to replace the one on the left; however, what

I'm really looking for is a bag that pre-dates the American

involvement in the Great War (1917-1918). I've seen (and own)

pattern 1910 haversacks from 1911-1916, but I have never seen a

pattern 1912 ration bag that pre-dates 1917.

 

Have any of you?

 

I consider these bags uncommon, but not scarce; they're certainly not

rare. I'm starting to believe that early dated samples are between

scarce and rare.

 

If you have an early dated specimen, then post a picture. If you

don't, then post a picture anyway and tell me whether you've seen

one elsewhere.

post-1529-1270061609.jpg

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I have seen them with the flat tipped strap ends so I assume those examples were made prior to 1916. You are right though, I don't ever recall seeing the dates. Here is my 1917 dated pack complete with the "enameled" bacon bag. The leather straps have never been untied!!

Tim

post-192-1270062918.jpg

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I have one made by McKinnon Dash Co. According to my files its date Noy 1915. To wore out from yard work tonight but will try and locate it and post pictures. Robert

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post-551-1270234705.jpg

 

Heres mine. Its hard to read but appears to be 1915. Thats what my son has it listed as. But you know how those markings are on heavy canvas. The different angle make the date change as you rotate it around??? Robert

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you also mentioned they were used as Medic Bags in WWI. Thats new to me. Do you have any picture proof of that. If thats so it makes me happy as I can move it over with my WWI Medic equipment display. Robert

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I believe that anything made before 1917 would be made at Rock Island Arsenal. Yours appears to be made by a WW1 contractor. I think that your ration bags are 1918 dated.

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I believe that anything made before 1917 would be made at Rock Island Arsenal. Yours appears to be made by a WW1 contractor. I think that your ration bags are 1918 dated.

Thats very likely. Everytime I look at it I see a different date. Tonight it looks like 1916. Tomorrow it will probably be 1918. Robert

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