What do you make of this 1942 bag?

Kentucky Mason · Post by **Kentucky Mason** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:20 am

Wish I had better pics of this....does anyone know what it is? measures 10 1/2" x 12"

Flap reads:

M.D.(M)LTD.M.
(an arrow pointing up)
1942

IndianaFist · Post by **IndianaFist** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:23 am

if it has no internal pockets I would say its a army map bag.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:48 am

That's not a bad guess. Can't say I've seen anything like it before... not that I'm suggesting it's something rare or particularly weird... I just can't place it through my own militaria collecting and experience.

Rosenet · Post by **Rosenet** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:49 am

Looks _very_ similar to the WPG MkVII replica I have sitting next to me. Button color looks different, and obviously the stap isn't an Indy leather, but the shape of the bag and the bag flap are pretty much the same.

Marcus Petrius · Post by **Marcus Petrius** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:02 am

Judging by the strap and the shape of the bag I would say it's a civilian one rather than one used by the soldiers.
I've seen more of these when searching for British gasmask bags on various sites.

Mike

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:06 am

Marcus Petrius wrote:Judging by the strap and the shape of the bag I would say it's a civilian one rather than one used by the soldiers.
I've seen more of these when searching for British gasmask bags on various sites.

Noooooo, have another look

The MKVII is squared off at the bottom, and isn't as long as this bag.

I think this is precisely why KM is asking the question... because it shares similarities with the MKVII, but it's not a MKVII

Marcus Petrius · Post by **Marcus Petrius** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:29 am

That's what I mean.
It's not a Mk VIII, but it's a civilian gas mask bag.

Mike

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:34 am

Mike, my apologies... I was actually replying to Rosenet who said:

Looks _very_ similar to the WPG MkVII replica I have sitting next to me.

I hit 'quote' next to the wrong post. Apologies for the confusion. You can now see what I was replying to in better context.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:38 am

This hasn't been asked yet, but does it have vent holes or any metal disks on it, or is it just an "empty bag?" If it's just a "bag" then I'm want to say it's a map case or something different than a typical gas mask bag. On Foyle's War, a mystery series which takes place in Britain during WWII, the civilians shown seem to be carrying the MkVII bags...

bink

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:41 am

Just so we can have an easy comparo in the same thread, here's my WPG replica...

Marcus Petrius · Post by **Marcus Petrius** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:23 am

Hey Irwin (yeah, I know, it's Rob

), it's okay, I make mistakes a lot myself too.

binkmeisterRick wrote:This hasn't been asked yet, but does it have vent holes or any metal disks on it, or is it just an "empty bag?" If it's just a "bag" then I'm want to say it's a map case or something different than a typical gas mask bag. On Foyle's War, a mystery series which takes place in Britain during WWII, the civilians shown seem to be carrying the MkVII bags...

bink

A Dutch collector who had been in the trade for twenty years assured me these bags are civilian (simplified in terms of material and manufacturing) versions of the Mk VI and Mk VII. Trust me.

Mike

jjkillin · Post by **jjkillin** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:32 am

Marcus Petrius wrote: A Dutch collector who had been in the trade for twenty years assured me these bags are civilian (simplified in terms of material and manufacturing) versions of the Mk VI and Mk VII. Trust me.
Mike

Are there large differences between the civilian and military version of the Mk VI & VII?

James

English Adventurer · Post by **English Adventurer** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:58 am

As far as I'm aware, there was no civilian varient of the army MKVII bags.

The bag you have there Mason is for a civilian special service type gas mask.

Ian

Marcus Petrius · Post by **Marcus Petrius** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:03 pm

jjkillin wrote: Are there large differences between the civilian and military version of the Mk VI & VII?

I'm not sure about inside compartments, but it doesn't have the inforced bottom like the Mk VII. I think it also lacks the disc and lace to tie it around your chest.

It's not litteraly a civilian version, but rather a bag that looks like it for civilian use.

Mike

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:11 pm

I've come across these babies quite a few times too and I'm agreeing with Mike. The up-pointing arrow (the Broad Arrow) was the government acceptance mark for all war material in each Commonwealth country. Single arrow = British bag. I've never seen the M.D.(M)LTD.M. stamp before though.

Regards,
Swindiana

Indycire · Post by **Indycire** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:24 pm

There is one of these on Ebay right now. It is a Civilian's bag.The seller has a British gas mask with original bag and box. The bag has the same white looking strap, and looks like a collapsed MKVII, looks flat and not like a box. The original box even says Civilian Duty Respirator. I dont know if i can post the link, but if you search its easy to find.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:14 pm

Yep, these are a civilian WWII era gas mask bag. I've seen them with gas masks in for sale at militaria fairs I've been to recently.

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 8:32 am

& here's further confirmation...

Description:

BRITISH HOME FRONT GAS MASK. A civilian gas mask in its original mint condition shoulder bag style canvas carrying case with its shoulder strap. Maker marked to interior flap 'Hampton & Sons 1941'.

& you can purchase it here...

http://www.regimentals.co.uk/shop/Shopi ... very=Delv1

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:10 am

And some of them came with a Raiders sandbag:

Kidding.

Regards,
Swindiana

Kentucky Mason · Post by **Kentucky Mason** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:22 pm

Thank you all for the lengthy reply. I had seen this one...somewhere... and was real curious. At least I know what it is now.

Thanks!