Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an original U.S. Marine Corps (U.S.M.C.) lower pack for the M1941 pack system. This is the lower knapsack that would strap to the upper haversack. The lower pack is made of khaki canvas, has brass buckles and strap tips. It has the "ears" that fold inward to secure the contents, has a large flap on front that secures with two straps. A khaki web strap extends across the top, which was used for threading through the brass buckles at the bottom of the haversack, to secure the lower pack to the upper. This example is stenciled on one side J T RYAN / MASS KIT, identifying the bag as having been used to store the Mass Kit of Chaplain Joseph Thomas Ryan, Regimental Chaplain of the 11th Marine Regiment from 1944 to 1945. He participated in the 1945 Marine landing at Okinawa, and he was cited twice for bravery.

All parts of the bag are present and in good shape. The pack is in very good to excellent condition. Shows a fading and some light spots and soiling, but completely intact with all straps, buckles, flaps, and hardware. The interior has 50+ pages of printed research on Chaplain Ryan.

This is an outstanding identified lower pack bag with great research! Ready to display!