Description
Physical description
Haversack & straps
khaki canvas haversack with two 'L' shaped equipment straps, the metal fitrtings being of brass.
History note
Like the 1908 pattern webbing equipment of the First World War, the 1937 pattern was constructed of pre-shrunk canvas, a very durable and practical material in all but very wettest conditions.
Based around the need to accommodate a different and more mechanised role and the need for expanded ammunition requirements, the basic system could be adapted to fit all requirements by the addition or removal of the varied core components.
For the infantryman the basic rectangular-shaped ammunition pouches could contain box magazines for the 'Bren' light machine gun, hand grenades, or rifle ammunition in standard charger clips or stowed encased in cloth bandoliers. Kitted for Full Marching Order the valise was worn on the back (unchanged from the 1908 pattern) with the haversack (or small pack) worn on the left hip. When in Battle Order the large pack was detached and the small pack attached to the back, connected by short 'L' shaped straps to the front pouches, and for Musketry Order (or Skeleton Order) the haversack was removed with just pouches braces, waterbottle and bayonet frog used.
The arrangement for Officers had pistol holster, ammunition and compass pouches, binoculars case and other components substituted as well there being a variety of other supplementary items used by other specialists for their particular roles.
The 1937 pattern equipment served its purpose well and although superceded by the 1958 pattern as a standard all-arms issue, was still in service with some Territorial battalions into the mid-1970s