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USMC Field Gear

About USMC Gear
USMC Cartridge Belt
USMC First Aid Pouch
USMC Canteen Covers
USMC T-handle Cover
Camo T-Handle Cover
M1941 Pack Suspenders
USMC 782 Pack
USMC Officer's Field Bag
Camouflage Shelter Half
Corpsman Pouches
USMC Complete Field Gear Set
Sea Bags

Last Updated: August 20, 2009

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USMC Gear: This page will list all gear specific to the US Marine Corps in WWII. Much of their gear was unique (to the Corps) but they did share some gear with the Army. Shared gear (haversacks, M1943 ET Carriers, BAR belts, etc., etc.) will be listed on the relevant pages.

Patterns and Quality: We use the same process as we do with our US Army gear. Decide on the most typical model, buy two originals, cut one up (yes, destroy history) for a pattern and use the other as a guide. In the case of Marine Corps gear, we are typically using the Boyt manufactured items as they are of better quality and better satisfy the prejudices of collectors and re-enactors than do the items made by the Marine Corps Depot. Additionally, the Depot manufactured gear tends to use W.W.I hardware, which would complicate our own supply problems. All gear is manufactured here in Columbia, Kentucky. The hardware and canvas are US made. The webbing is imported, but made on obsolete, US made shuttle looms (hence it's realism).

For more info on WWII USMC Gear, click here.

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USMC Cartridge Belt, USMC
Exact recreation of the "10 pocket" cartridge belt for M-1 Garand and Springfield Rifles. These are the best reproductions made. Period. The od#3 shuttle loomed webbing is copied directly from original material. All the hardware is now either original US WWII or made by the Scovil® and Stimpson companies. Both are US government contractors who made it during the War.
(Unlike other Indian and Chinese reproductions, we use the correct size eyelets, genuine lift-the-dot fasteners, US webbing (not British), and our fabric is professionally yarn-dyed. Not dipped in a tub full of RIT laundry dye from Walmart.)
Stamped "USMC" on the back of the left panel. In this case we opted for an ink stamp instead of a stencil as that more closely approximated the marking on our original sample.
Made in USA.
$80.00

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USMC First Aid Pouch
Two snap Carlisle bandage pouch made by the DQP for the Corps. These were made until the middle of the War when the Marines began using the same M1942 pouch used by the Army. These are copied form an original and use the correct binding tape, USMC pattern wire hook and rear eyelets. Unmarked.
Made in USA.
New Price $20.00

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USMC Canteen Cover, 1st Pattern
Reproduction of the DQP manufactured canteen cover used throughout the War. These were made until 1943 when the 3rd Pattern "Cross-flap" covers began to be manufactured. This is the most common style seen throughout the Pacific Campaign. These are similar to the M1910 cover used by the Army, but they lack the wool insulation and they have the USMC pattern wire hook.
Made in USA.
$25.00

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USMC Canteen Cover, 2nd Pattern
Same as the 1st Pattern except for the use of Lift-the-Dot fasteners instead of regular press snaps.
Made in USA.
$25.00

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USMC Canteen Cover, 3nd Pattern
Later pattern "dog-eared" cover with crossed flaps. This is the 3rd pattern without the drain hole.
Made in USA.
$25.00

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USMC T-handle Cover
Marine Corps contract M1910 shovel cover. Identical to the Army cover except for the USMC pattern hook and lack of markings.
Made in USA.
$20.00
If this is causing major problems, the Marines did use Army covers as well. The only visual difference is the "U.S." marking. We are out of canvas and it looks like Ocober-November before we can restock.

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Camo T-Handle Cover
Field-made camouflage cover for the T-handle shovel. These were usually associated with Marine Raiders, but they are visible in a few photos of Marines in other units. Made from camo cotton duck cotton.
$20.00

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USMC T-handle Cover w/ Shovel:
$50.00

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M1941 Pack Suspenders
Issued with the 782 pack system. These consist of two separate 1" web straps with locking slides and hooks to attach them to the pistol, cartridge or BAR belt. (The Marines were also known to use the M1936 suspenders issued to the Army.) We use original NOS US government hardware and shuttle loomed OD #3 webbing. Our M1941 Pack Suspenders are made 3" longer than most originals.
Made in USA.
$25.00
These will NOT work for Musette Bags. They lack the D-rings on the chest. Not sure where this came from, but it's the question of the month.

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Pack Set

Pack Set

Haversack Detail

Haversack Detail

USMC 782 Pack Set
New production of the Marine Corps M1941 pack system. This was issued starting in mid-1942 to replace the overcomplicated and inefficient M1928 Haversack. This set consists of the haversack (upper pack), knapsack (lower pack) and (New) pack suspenders. All details and hardware of the original are correctly copied. At this time, we are offering these only in sets.
Yes, these are relatively expensive. Why? These packs are alot of work, hence labor time. They are not made in China where workers are paid $50 per month. (That's 30 cents per hour). Our sewers make about 30 times that much, plus worker's comp and health insurance. If you can figure out how to cut the production time by 3,000 percent, let us know!
Feel free to compare these packs with the Chinese and Pakistani made products and the difference will be very apparent. If you compare them to originals, there will be little or no difference.
Made in USA. Approx. size each bag 4x11x11
$150.00
Haversack (Upper Pack) only: $80.00
Knapsack (Lower Pack) only: $50.00
Suspenders only: $25.00

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USMC Bedroll Strap
New utility straps. Used to fasten bedrolls, shelter halves, and sleeping bags to packs. Od3. These are about 18'' long.
$10.00 Each

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USMC Officer's Field Bag
Also called the "USMC Musette Bag", these were intended for officer's or other troops for whom the new M1941 Pack system was impractical. Early in the War, the Marines Corps purchased Army pattern Musette Bags (with USMC markings). Late in 1942 they contracted their own version. This bag is slightly larger and the shoulder strap is designed to allow the bag to be worn across the shoulder or as a regular backpack. Our reproduction is identical to the original in all ways.
Size Note: The carrying straps on these are the 6 inches longer than originals. I'm not sure if this is enough extra for really large guys. It should fit up to a 48 chest no problem. (Unlike the Army pattern bags, these straps are not removable so there's no simple fix.)
The bag is approximately 13" x 12" x 5".
$60.00

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USMC Camo Shelter Half
In 1942, the Corps began replacing their tan shelter halfs with a camouflage version. These were made in the same camo pattern as the P42 uniforms and helmet covers. However, the fabric was duck canvas instead of HBT. Ours reproductions are identical. Two shelter halfs make one pup tent.

Made in USA.
Sold Out
Gone
No more in the entire building.
No Estimated Restock Date available. Not until 2011 at least.
That means we cannot tell you when we'll have more. That's nice plain English...

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Navy Corpsman Pouch
Navy pattern medic pouches worn by Corpsmen assigned to Marine units in the Pacific. Similar in design to the medic pouches used by the army. The Navy pouch has an expandable bottom, secured by Durable snaps, an internal gusset to attach inserts and a flap with Lift-the-Dots. Our reproduction is identical to the originals. (Yes, I have a pair.) These were sometimes worn in pairs supported by the same medic yoke suspenders used by the Army or worn singly with whatever shoulder strap was handy. (Photos show what appear to be Map Case straps, litter straps and GP straps (with snap hooks) in use.
Each $50.00

Navy Corpsman Harness Set
2 Corpsman pouches, 1 pair of inserts, 2 cantle ring straps, and 1 Medic Yoke suspender.
$150.00

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Large Insert

Small Insert

Corpsman Pouch Inserts
Snap-in carriers for the Navy Corpsman Pouches. They allow various vials and tins of medications to be carried in their own holders rather than loose in the pouch.
Each $15.00 (Please specify Large or Small insert) or Pair (one each) $25.00

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Sea Bag
Duffle Bag for the Navy and Marine Corps. These are identical to those used by the army, except that the Navy Department saw no need for shoulderstrap. I'm suspect that sailors and Marines did not agree.
Our reproductions are made from heavy khaki 100% cotton duck and use milspec grommets and snap hook.
Approx 37" x 12" x 12" (same size as the originals).
Made in USA
$40.00