Original Item: Only One Available. This is a well-worn WWII U.S. Army M-1942 Canvas Frogskin Camouflage Jungle Combat Pack as used in the Pacific theater by both the USMC and the Army. This pack is in good service-worn condition and complete with all original straps. Correctly ink stamped U.S. on the front flap, there are no other markings we can find on this example.

There is some tearing as shown in some of the straps, but the zipper at the top still works fine, marked PRENTICE on one side and STREAMLINE on the other, an uncommon maker. There are some period repairs in the fabric and the zipper is quite worn. There is some staining to the interior. 

The design combined a large water-resistant fabric bag with web suspension straps and external adjustment straps that allowed the load to be compressed or expanded. In practice, the Jungle Pack was not universally popular, as the suspension system could be uncomfortable under heavy loads and the coated fabric added weight and heat in tropical conditions.

The Jungle Pack was developed before America’s entry into WWII and tested in tropical environments, including Panama. The first wartime pattern was subsequently issued in the Pacific, where examples appeared in both frogskin camouflage and olive drab. A later enlarged olive-drab version was produced for use in the European Theater.

U.S. Army Jungle Pack of WW II
The Jungle Pack was made in two forms during World War II. The first Jungle Pack was tested in Panama before being sent to troops in the Pacific where it was issued primarily during 1943 and 1944 in camouflage and in olive drab (OD) fabric. A second version was issued for the ETO in 1944 (soldier photos on this page) in OD fabric, but in a modified form with a larger volume main compartment. The Jungle Pack, however, proved to be unpopular. It was heavy, very hot, and had poor suspension straps.

The Jungle Pack consisted of a rain-proof pouch attached to webbing straps, similar to the straps used with the U.S. Army Haversack, M-1928. The pouch was large enough to carry a sizeable load and could be adjusted in size by using web straps attached for that purpose.

The combination of the original frogskin camouflage fabric, complete suspension straps, U.S. front marking, functional PRENTICE / STREAMLINE zipper, period repairs, and genuine service wear makes this a strong representative example of the M1942 Jungle Pack. Its worn but substantially complete condition gives it excellent character for a Pacific Theater field-equipment display.