What kind of MKVII is this?

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:18 am

Hi,
today I got this bag here. The markings say MK VII P.S.1943 but some things like the buttons, the vents and metal disk are different than on the other bags I´ve seen. Is this just another version of it or something different? It´s a great bag even if it isn´t SA, I´m just curios.

Here are some pictures

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:31 am

I've seen one of these before, but don't remember the details that surfaced on the bag. Wait for Swindiana to chime in. He's our resident bag expert.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:33 am

That is what some call a "civilian" Mk VII. I don't know if it was actualy useds by civillians, but that's the only name I heard for it. The E-bay seller I bought one of my Mk VII's from had these on offer for a lower price and some people here bought those. It might be an early form of the Mk VII or a late form of the Mk VI as it has the D-ring instead of the lanyard disk. How many drainage holes does it have on the bottem?

Anyway, good to see that you left the orriginal strap attached. I don't know if this version is more rare than the SA Mk VII, but I personaly have not seen one with a flap closure like this one, so if not SA, it is a cool bit of WW II memorabilia.

Regards, Geert

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:42 am

Thanks for the info!
I couldn´t bringt over me to cut that old strap. It has 8 holes on the button.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:54 am

Tremolo wrote: It has 8 holes on the button.

do you mean 8 holes on the bottom of the bag, or something else?

regards, geert

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:59 am

Oh sorry bottom not button ;-)
Yes it has 8 drainage holes on the bottom of the bag.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:17 am

8 of these?

wow, I've never heard of a bag that had more than 3 of these....

Regards, Geert

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:24 am

Some of those were issued to India and/or Africa I believe. (I think I remember somone seing a broad arrow mark with and "I" on it indicating just that.)

The drainage holes are air vents.

Does it have either of these?

Guesses have been made that the correct hardware wasn't available outside the UK at the factories and they opted for this config instead.

Neat bag!

8 of these;

Regards,
Swindiana

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:24 am

no, 8 small holes.
8 of the big ones would look funny

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:24 am

Yep, they exist. I want to say they're India makes, but I can't recall off the top of my head. Again, once Swindiana sees this thread, he should be able to shed more light on the subject.

EDIT: And JUST as I was writing this, guess who shows up to the party!

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:27 am

Hey buddy!

Regards,
Swindiana

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:29 am

Seems to me you've got a nice piece of history there Tremolo. Good thing you left that strap on there

Regards, Geert

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:34 am

Thanks, that´s all very interesting. Do you think it´s to valuable to really use it? I planned to take it to college in some weeks.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:02 am

I wouldn't know. But if I were you, I'd order another one or a replica for that so you could keep this one safe.

Regards, Geert

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:18 am

yeah, I think I´m gonna order another one or better one of the more common Mk VIIs

BroadSword · Post by **BroadSword** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:50 am

I've got one of those that Swindiana posted above. Need a correct version.