Strange Side Pack - 1937 Pattern Variant?

[christek]

Hello Forum,

This pack has been a bit of a mystery item in my lot for a while. I have not seen another like it. It is obliviously in the pattern 37 style - With a few standout differences, no brass/metal hardware eyelets etc.

The cotton webbing material is also much lighter and softer. There are no markings visible.

For comparison, note a pat 37 pack (post WWII, note the black metal hardware) and a pattern 08 pack (almost certainly used in WWII - dyed green).

If I recall correctly, this pack came from a group which I believe was used by an Australian cadet circa 1970, who interestingly had also been issued a WWII Vintage M1 helmet! WCCU - Waverley College Cadet Unit.

[Harry Davey]

It could possibly be an american manufactured pack, i have seen american made signals satchels for the British army however i am unsure what other British webbing items they would have made. It looks to be made from a cotton duck material which was what american webbing was made from. Although i could be completely wrong, so many countries and companies for the consumer market manufactured webbing based on the British 37 pattern post war.

Cheers
Harry

[christek]

Many thanks for your reply Harry - The material is exactly the same as several other WWII era US packs I have. Great observation!