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What is stamped on Your MK VII?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:28 pm
by Alabama Jones
... 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?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:49 pm
by VP
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:51 pm
by Snakewhip_Sable
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?!
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:53 pm
by VP
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:15 pm
by Ace
Mine says: W&G 1932 Ltd.
Ace
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:18 pm
by VP
Umm, wait a minute. Your MkVII says 1932?
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:27 pm
by IndyBlues
Stamped inside mine is:
VII
W&G(1932LTD)
S 1943
*a broad arrow pointing up*
68
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:31 pm
by Alabama Jones
awesome! Thanks.
The other two SOF has with markings right now say:
J.H. x Co (W) ltd. 1942.
A.H. 1942
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:09 pm
by jack
Alabama Jones wrote:
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
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:20 pm
by Bufflehead Jones
They are always down to their last Mk VII. They will have some new last ones, next week.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:44 pm
by jack
Bufflehead Jones wrote:They are always down to their last Mk VII. They will have some new last ones, next week.
Yeah thats true
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:22 pm
by ij1936
Mine has: VII No.22813535, 1943
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:24 pm
by Michaelson
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
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:24 pm
by Neolithic
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
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:30 pm
by Bufflehead Jones
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.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:46 pm
by Michaelson
Yep. That seems to be SOP for the company.
Regards. Michaelson
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:07 pm
by Scandinavia Jones
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.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:23 pm
by Kris
Nothing stamped, but it has a line
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:40 am
by Ace
VP wrote:Umm, wait a minute. Your MkVII says 1932?
Yup: W&G 1932Ltd.
Ace
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:16 am
by Swindiana
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
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:03 am
by VP
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.
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:26 am
by Sheffield Jones
Mine has: VII
WHITLLEYS
1942
2998535
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:34 am
by Swindiana
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
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:39 am
by Swindiana
Ah!
2998535 -The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Regards,
Swindiana
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:18 am
by Alabama Jones
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...
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:37 am
by Swindiana
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
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:48 am
by Indiana Jerry
(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
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:50 pm
by Skippy
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
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:58 am
by Indiana Jerry
Interesting! Thanks!
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:38 am
by Swindiana
There you are, Skippy!
Nice to see you again buddy.
Regards,
Swindiana
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 6:37 pm
by Shawnkara
Mine says "Do not betray Shiva". Odd.
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:11 am
by Indiana Jerry
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.
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:36 am
by Swindiana
Shawnkara wrote:Mine says "Do not betray Shiva". Odd.
Mine says "Artifacts and gasmasks this way", with an arrow pointing down.
Regards,
Swindiana
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:03 pm
by Shawnkara
I've also had one that read, "Tell me THIS don't stink!" followed by Jeff Foxworthy's autograph. VERY odd.