Hi,

 

I saw this interesting field dressing on e-bay and remembered seeing this type in Alec's book 'Equipping the Corps':

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWI-U-S-Army-Wrapped-Individual-Dressing-Packet-Dated-1917-/261531197854?ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:CA:3160

 

I've never encountered one of these on the market before, does anyone have more information regarding them?

 

Interesting that the seller of the e-bay dressing made no mention of the EGA.

 

-Steve

I posted one of these on the forum a few years ago but can't seem to find the post. I'll see if I can get mine out of storage and take some pics.

Tim

Thanks Tim! I imagine these are pretty scarce?

I've seen a few of them but they are rare. Sorry for the delay, I was off for a few days.

Here's the one in my collection.

Tim

 

Compared with an Army M1907 packet.

3

Thanks a bunch Tim!

 

A great dressing, perfect for your DQP bandage pouch.

 

It was me who bought the one on e-bay, I didn't think it would go so high and in the moment I put in a 'hail marry' bid and got it. Probably overpaid, after all it's only a field dressing.

 

I'm not sure what sort of actual value these bandages hold? The only one I've ever seen for sale was the one on e-bay. I have only seen yours and the one in Alec's book outside of that.

 

-Steve

Keystone-I noticed that you had the tin. I have a nice USMC one also. Did they come in the tin? Mine came in the pouch only and if so how do you tell the difference? Thank you for any knowledge you share with me. Dave

To the best of my knowledge the paper wrapped bandages were issued only to medics. I think the theory was that they would get less abuse in the medics belt than in the infantryman's first aid pouch. They were obviously less expensive to make as well. One of the strange things about these EGA bandages is that the Marine's used navy Corpsmen as medics, so you would expect the bandages to be marked "Navy" as the ones issued in the tins to the Marines for their individual dressing were. I have only ever seen these with the May 1917 contract date. If I recall correctly Greg Robinson has his doubts about these packets being genuine Marine Corps issue. I still feel that they are, but the mystery remains.

Tim

Notice the one on Ebay has a "US Army" stamp. I too have my doubts about these, but no proof either way. But really feel these are not originals. They really just don't make sense. One contract only in 1917? Has anyone ever looked into the contract info on the package?

Notice the one on Ebay has a "US Army" stamp. I too have my doubts about these, but no proof either way. But really feel these are not originals. They really just don't make sense. One contract only in 1917? Has anyone ever looked into the contract info on the package?

The one on e-bay is the same as the one in Alecs book and also posted by Tim.

 

I don't really know what to think of this pouch, I kept looking for a long time and never found one before.

 

The one on e-bay was sold by a woman who found it within a WWI soldiers grouping in an estate, she did not know of the possible USMC connection, and was surprised how much it sold for. I talked to her after the auction and seemed genuine, but we all know to never believe a story or if it could have been added at some point in the last 90 years. I don't suspect any foul play by the seller though.

 

I think this one of those things that may remain uncertain until more information surfaces. Maybe Alec has some more information not mentioned in the book such as contract info?

 

Do any of these exact bandages exist without an EGA?

 

-Steve

I tried to look up the " WILFORD HALL LABORATORIES ". Couldn't find much. Found the site " DOUGHBOYS! THE AMERICAN SOLDIER IN WWI " on which they had a WWI battle dressing from the same Co. also dated May 1917 but for the U.S. Army. It is also without a tin and marked similarly. The site says that they were for the medics belt. I also learned that there is a pouch for wound tags slightly bigger than the first aid dressing pouch called a " DIAGNOSIS TAG CARRIER " by the site. The owners daughter is Helen Hall. She was involved with the military too and an interesting read. My opinion is that the dressings are good. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.Dave

There was talk years ago about these. At one point they were widely accepted as legit then the collective attitude was they were fake and theb again they were good. I can't say honestly one way or another. I think it was featured in the Moran book years ago. That's the first time I saw them.

Thanks guys!

 

I will keep one example, but won't set out looking for more

 

I guess the mystery continues for now. They sure look great with a DQP first aid pouch, even if not technically correct....

 

-Steve