Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very scarce first year production M1911 first aid pouch which appears to have gone through extensive use during the First World War. It is faintly marked RIA 1911 between the belt attachment, which has lost the two grommets to which it would be attached and has fraying in their place. Both snaps still work great. The interior flap is stenciled with CAPT. H.C.M. and the back of the pouch has a fantastic stencil for Company H, 6th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division.

In December 1917, the 6th Regiment was assigned to the 10th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division, and began training stateside. In the latter part of May 1918, the 6th Infantry Regiment was declared ready for introduction to combat and was placed at the disposal of the French for service at the front. In July 1918, a strategic offensive plan was agreed upon by the Allied commanders, the immediate purpose of which was to reduce the salients which interfered with further offensive operations. One of these was the Saint-Mihiel salient. The First U.S. Army was organized on 10 August and directed to launch an offensive on 12 September to reduce this salient. The 6th Regiment was destined to play an important role in this operation. On 1 December 1918 the 6th Regiment conducted a march from Luxembourg to the city of Trier, Germany, becoming the first American troops to enter that ancient city.

This likely belonged to the Captain of the company, but we haven’t been able to identify him, a good research project!

One of the scarcer models of first aid pouch to find in any condition, but this set has great markings too! Comes ready for further research and display.