What is stamped on Your MK VII?

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:28 pm

... and what does it stand for?

I am waiting on my first authentic from SOF (boy those boogars got expensive!

)

Here is a pic...

VII
R.M.A. 1942

any idea what "R.M.A." stands for?

So whats on the inside of your man purse?

VP · Post by VP » Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:49 pm

Royal Marine Artillery? http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/specfor/RM.htm

Snakewhip_Sable · Post by **Snakewhip_Sable** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:51 pm

the one I have with me reads:

H&S A S42
MARK VII

The more pristine one has a different marking, but it's at home.

What are they charging for them now?!

VP · Post by VP » Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:53 pm

http://www.1944airborne.com/reenactors/ ... 3&offset=1

50 £.

The dirty ones are 5 £. http://www.1944airborne.com/reenactors/ ... &offset=11

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:15 pm

Mine says: W&G 1932 Ltd.

Ace

VP · Post by VP » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:18 pm

Umm, wait a minute. Your MkVII says 1932?

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:27 pm

Stamped inside mine is:

VII
W&G(1932LTD)
S 1943
*a broad arrow pointing up*
68

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:31 pm

VP wrote:Royal Marine Artillery? http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/specfor/RM.htm

awesome! Thanks.

The other two SOF has with markings right now say:

J.H. x Co (W) ltd. 1942.

A.H. 1942

jack · Post by **jack** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:09 pm

Alabama Jones wrote:
VP wrote:Royal Marine Artillery? http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/specfor/RM.htm
awesome! Thanks.

The other two SOF has with markings right now say:

J.H. x Co (W) ltd. 1942.

A.H. 1942

The broad arrow is the government marking, sof are down to there very last mkV1, 50 quid

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:20 pm

They are always down to their last Mk VII. They will have some new last ones, next week.

jack · Post by **jack** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:44 pm

Bufflehead Jones wrote:They are always down to their last Mk VII. They will have some new last ones, next week.

Yeah thats true

ij1936 · Post by **ij1936** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:22 pm

Mine has: VII No.22813535, 1943

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:24 pm

Bufflehead Jones wrote:They are always down to their last Mk VII. They will have some new last ones, next week.

Man, isn't that the truth. How long HAVE they been 'going out of business' Buff?

I've lost count myself.

Regards. Michaelson

Neolithic · Post by **Neolithic** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:24 pm

My good one faintly reads:
VII
And I think it says D.M. Co. I
1942

Then there is an arrow with 24 beneath it and next to this the number 88

My black bandit version:
VII
RMA 1943
With an arrow with 74 beneath it

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:30 pm

Michaelson wrote:
Bufflehead Jones wrote:They are always down to their last Mk VII. They will have some new last ones, next week.
Man, isn't that the truth. How long HAVE they been 'going out of business' Buff? I've lost count myself. Regards. Michaelson

But since they will be the last ones next week, they will be a higher price than the last ones were this week.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:46 pm

Yep. That seems to be SOP for the company.

Regards. Michaelson

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:07 pm

Ah... the definitive Swindiana thread!

Mine is a M& [illegible], broad arrow-marked and sporting the numbers 23148639, which show that this bag belonged to the Royal Corps of Engineers.

Kris · Post by **Kris** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:23 pm

Nothing stamped, but it has a line

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:40 am

VP wrote:Umm, wait a minute. Your MkVII says 1932?

Yup: W&G 1932Ltd.
Ace

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:16 am

Guys.

The letters stand for the maker.
The regiment would be denoted by the soldiers serial number, sometimes stamped on Mk VII bags aswell as other equipment.

W&G = Waring & Gilbow Ltd. (1932 was the starting point, just like many modern clothing makers tend to label their stuff with a year.)

R.M.A I'm not sure what it stands for, but you've found a production year that is not yet listed on the main page. That one needs UPDATING.

And here are the different broad arrows for each commonwealth country:

UK

Canada

New Zealand

Australia

India

Union of South Africa

I'm looking for one used in Africa and an Indian one myself. Though called Mk VII, they are of quite a different design.

EDIT;
Btw. Alabama, what kind of vents does your R.M.A bag have?

Just curious.

Regards,
Swindiana

VP · Post by VP » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:03 am

Swindiana wrote:W&G = Waring & Gilbow Ltd. (1932 was the starting point, just like many modern clothing makers tend to label their stuff with a year.)

Ah, so it's since 1932. I see.

Sheffield Jones · Post by **Sheffield Jones** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:26 am

Mine has: VII
WHITLLEYS
1942

2998535

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:34 am

Yes. And it seems that not only textile industry companies were hired to do the job, but just about any companies with the capabilites of rearranging to make war equipment. I actually found a few UK companies called G.&S. of which one was in the textile industry today. But, no, they didn't make any stuff during the war they said. It would be really cool to have a list with what all the companies were called and to see if some of them are still alive today. I haven't gotten lucky yet... Though the "S" seem to stand for son/sons in many cases.

I mean, there must be a list somewhere...

Regards,
Swindiana

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:39 am

Ah!

2998535 -The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Regards,
Swindiana

Alabama Jones · Post by **Alabama Jones** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:18 am

Swindiana wrote:...
R.M.A I'm not sure what it stands for, but you've found a production year that is not yet listed on the main page. That one needs UPDATING.

Yikes, now I'm paranoid.

Could it be Royal Marine Artillery as VP suggested?

EDIT;
Btw. Alabama, what kind of vents does your R.M.A bag have?

Just curious.

Regards,
Swindiana

Not sure, haven't got it yet. Is there some difference?

Probably can't tell by this pic...

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:37 am

Yikes, now I'm paranoid. Shocked Could it be Royal Marine Artillery as VP suggested?

Probably not since R.M.A most likely is the maker of the bag, not what division within the army it belonged to. (Like W&G stands for Waring and Gilbow.)

I just wanted to check if yours also have the circular ones, like mine from the same year. Yours has Newey snaps though, so my guess is they are the same.

Regards,
Swindiana

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:48 am

(bump)

Mine is VERY hard to see anything on, but any guesses would be appreciated. I get the feeling this was washed sometime in the past, so all markings are faint.

I have what looks like a broad arrow pointing up w/ what appears to be a 44 below it...but heck, it could be two squirrels playing ping-pong. Only one of the 4's looks really clear, but it could even be a picnic table.

The large box w/ makers mark is VERY faint...I know I see a 'C', but the letters before it are faint - possibly J.L.C.? I'm really reaching on this one...

I'm assuming I'll never figure it out, but I thought I'd ask in case it was obvious to anyone.

Pics I took before I cleaned it myself (after 60 years, who KNOWS what's lurking...):
Up Arrow 44: http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=2ninmr
JLC Mfg?: http://tinypic.com/view.html?pic=2ninp3

Thanks!
J

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:50 pm

Being an ex-squaddy & militaria collector I can confirm Swindiana is dead-on with his info

The number under the broad arrow is likely an inspector or QA station ID no. The board arrow being the stamp to approve an item was fit for wartime goverment use.

My old service no. began 25****** which show what a baby I was compared to those old WWII boys & their bags

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:58 am

Interesting! Thanks!

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:38 am

There you are, Skippy!
Nice to see you again buddy.

Regards,
Swindiana

Shawnkara · Post by **Shawnkara** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:37 pm

Mine says "Do not betray Shiva". Odd.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:11 am

Shawnkara wrote:Mine says "Do not betray Shiva". Odd.

I wouldn't carry any rocks that looked like baked potatoes in it for a while...just to be on the safe side.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:36 am

Shawnkara wrote:Mine says "Do not betray Shiva". Odd.

Mine says "Artifacts and gasmasks this way", with an arrow pointing down.

Regards,
Swindiana

Shawnkara · Post by **Shawnkara** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:03 pm

I've also had one that read, "Tell me THIS don't stink!" followed by Jeff Foxworthy's autograph. VERY odd.