Finally got me a gas mask bag

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:56 pm

The eBay seller was from Great Britain. I got a great deal. Glad I waited instead of the WPG. Seller didn't have a good picture so I kept my fingers crossed. I was very surprised. The seller said it was Canadian military 1941, WWII but I am not sure of that. On the inside of the front flap was stamped VI making it a Mk VI and then below the VI was MAPLE 1941.
I'd guess the MAPLE designated it as Canadian??
When I opened the bag, it had very thin pieces of wood veneer to keep it open I presume. One was in the bottom and two were in the back thin pockets? There is a flap over the back two pockets.
I will show some pictures of it later. I have some latigo that I will make the strap with soon.

Where is the best place to order the buckle?

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:04 pm

Congrats Robert! I actually like the MKVI better than the MKVII. Those 2 outside pockets can really become handy at times on the trail.

As far as the buckle, I think Dalexs had a good idea of where to get one in the Portland, OR area. Someone just recently posted that same question. If I don't find it right away, maybe Dalexs can reply or do a search on "buckle" on the "General Gear" forum. And make sure to include a picture of your find. Some of us are curious on how this one looks like.

Take care...
-S

auntsugar · Post by **auntsugar** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:09 pm

Congrats on the find. I really love my VI, and get plenty of use out of it. Sergei is right, those pockets will come in handy...

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:18 pm

Here is the link to the post I was talking about:

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic ... ght=buckle

Read Dalexs's post. It's Oregon Leather Company, in Portland. The number is:
503-228-4105

You want product #406. Make sure you right down the dimensions. Outside of Lee Keppler's buckle and strap this is the closest I have seen to the real deal. Even Noel's buckle was too big. You don't want to have the big buckle syndrome.

Take Care...
-S

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 11:37 pm

Thank you Sergei for the followup. I had looked up that post but didn't know the phone number. I will do my bset to call them tomorrow.

Post by **Dalexs** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:18 am

Hey hey, hey, I think I said it was model number #406!!! I'm not totally sure. But if you tell them them it was the 1" square centerbar buckle and I found it upstairs in the tack shop, that should help.
It may also be called a Garrison buckle.
They stock the same buckles in smaller sizes and I basically waited until they got some in
(they were on my way to work, so I'dstop in every so often.)

I would think if you live in texas, you'd be able able to find a saddle shop that would carry these.

Dalexs

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 3:06 pm

I was talking to Dalexs last week after I found a strap for my Mark7 bag and a fellow member asked me about the buckles.

The best thing to do is to check out the local tack shops and see what they have for hardware. Snaps, Buckles and the raw straps. I bought a strap that's far from screen accurate, but it does the job and it actually works BETTER then I thought it would.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:51 am

Do you have any pics, Ren?

Regards

Biggest fan in Sweden

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:19 pm

Here's a pic of the bag. It doesn't look as dirty and used as it is showed. I've considered washing it but I like the look of it. I ordered a buckle from the leather factory and hopefully it turns out good. I will post pics of the bag with strap and buckle when completed.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 9:47 am

Thanks for the pic!
I didn't know Canada made Mk Vi bags back in the day. Pretty cool!
One thing that has struck me is that the fastening webbing on the left front D-ring almost always is sewn on in that crooked manner.
It has to be something with a purpuse and not a coincidence or manufacturing error.
Does anyone know why?

Regards

Swindy

Robert Duke · Post by **Robert Duke** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 10:56 am

Hi Swindy,
I looked at the slightly offset ring also and tried to straighten it the other day, but it is physically impossible. One reason it is sewed on differently than the other side. It is sewed by a strap that looks like a reinforcement strap on that side. If there is a purpose, my guess would be because of that strap.
I paid 5.51 GBP for it which was less than $10USD. It had the original webstrap packed in the bag and the string attached on the side, I immediately cut off.
I have a buckle and chicago screws on order and have yet to cut the leather out for the strap.
Thanks for all the info and encouragement you give Swindy. I enjoy your enthusiasm for the bags.

Regards,
Robert Duke

skbellis · Post by **skbellis** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 11:38 am

Hi Guys!

The reason the side attachements are sewn on crooked was intentional. The bag was made to slope towards your chest so it would be easier to access the respirator.

---Scott

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 3:10 am

skbellis wrote:Hi Guys!

The reason the side attachements are sewn on crooked was intentional. The bag was made to slope towards your chest so it would be easier to access the respirator. ---Scott

Yes, I do have the hang of that one. I know the neck/shoulder strap holders do that so it fits better around your neck while in ready position but I can't figure the reason why one of the waist string holders would be that way.

Then again, maybe I'm just slow today.

Robert; Thanks for the remark. Let us know how the strap turns out!

Regards

Swindy

auntsugar · Post by **auntsugar** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 1:00 pm

Yeah, very nice looking bag. I'm interested to see how the strap turns out also.

Finally got me a gas mask bag

Finally got me a gas mask bag

Crooked side attachments

Re: Crooked side attachments