British Airborne sleeping bag

[Adrian Stevenson]

Still good.

[Grimebox]

I found one of these at a local auction and bought it today. It was rolled up showing the underside, was a bit dusty and had rat poison in the creases! Unfortunately I have a morbid fear that if I look at a Lot for too long then others will become interested so I didn't unroll it. I had a plan in my head about my bidding strategy but when it came to the crunch my heart was beating so fast I broke rule number 1 of bidding and stuck my hand up at the opening bid. With the help of a most generous gentleman dealer I know who told me he wouldn't bid on it I got it for the opening bid.
£5!!!!

I was a little concerned that due to the rat poison the inside might have been tuned into a nest, however, on rolling it out on the living room floor (which is getting professionally cleaned on Friday as I reminded the wife!) it was in amazing condition. I would say the that the Denison material is near mint with no wear or holes. It also has the added addition of a nice clear 1943 date stamp.

[Adrian Stevenson]

What a result! Nice one.

[Grimebox]

Does anybody have any wartime images of these bags? I can't seem to find any.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I have seen some. But I don't have them to hand so I cannot copy them.

One was some guys in them in the aircraft, another was someone carrying one over his shoulder. I have also seen glider manifests listing them.

[Grimebox]

Many thanks Ade, I'll keep looking (I gave up with Google and have nearly exhausted my library!)

[Grimebox]

I think these Paras are carrying the airborne bags

[Adrian Stevenson]

Yes, they are.

[Ink8455]

A Whitley bag made from 1959 pattern style camouflage. I believe the actual fabric was different between the Whitley bags and Denison smocks.

Many have been cut up to make fake/repro smocks.