Original Items: Only One Lot of 6 Available. A one of a kind lot of seven WWII GI Field Gear pieces. All pieces are in original, unmodified, condition, and show signs of honest use and storage wear that has accumulated over the last several decades. Most will have additional issue markings added at the arsenal or by the soldiers in various places.
The Lot Includes The Following Items:

- U.S. M1 Impermeable Protective Apron: Good condition but rather stiff.

- U.S. Messkit: Good condition, missing utensils.

- U.S. M1910 Pickaxe: Complete with blade, handle and cover.

- British Made U.S. M1910 Canteen Pouch: This is a heavily worn, stained and torn canteen cover that definitely saw extensive service in the field! The pouch is named E. MORRIS. Before the Normandy landings and the beginning of the operations in Europe, the US army had already settled in Britain for several years and turned the territory into a true advanced base. To meet the needs of military equipment, it faced import problems from the United States because of the blockade led by German submarines: the dreaded U-Boots. As a result, contracts were made with local businesses. This production of US material under British contract bears a name: the British Made, but this one is very faint.

- U.S. M1 Garand Web Sling: Good condition but heavily stained.

- U.S. M1938 Wire Cutters With Case: Good condition but there are nicks in the “blades”. The pouch is dated 1944.

All items come more than ready for further research and display!

The United States Army in World War II had a distinct advantage over the Axis when it came to equipment. Both in terms of quality and quantity the power of American industry kept the GI’s well supplied.

For a Soldier, equipment is a matter of survival. Even something as simple as a button can make the difference between victory and defeat if it fails to function properly at the wrong time. For this reason Soldiers have a strong tendency to become attached to equipment they like, and to modify or discard equipment they find unreliable or useless. Among the Infantry, who have to carry their equipment wherever they go, this tendency is even stronger.

Soldiers must carry everything they need for combat operations with them at all times. Individual load carrying equipment is designed to allow the Soldier to carry a basic load of ammunition, food, water, and first-aid gear. The exact make-up of this load varies from conflict to conflict. In more modern times the load has grown to include additional equipment such as gas masks, maps, compasses, and radios. Because of the cost of replacing equipment for Soldiers is high, equipment is usually replaced in phases, with front-line troops receiving the new equipment first. Support units typically receive equipment later as older equipment wears out or becomes obsolete. Because of this, Soldiers in World War II went to war using several different versions of the basic load bearing gear.