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French M1893/14 pack


Gildwiller1918

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Below is the M1893/14 French Knapsack, which can trace its design back to the Second Empire and did not change much in its configuration and materials into WW1. Typically a fully loaded pack was around 30 pounds, but some soldiers could get it up to 45 pounds, minus all the attachments possible. The pack itself is made from a wooden frame wrapped in canvas, with various leather straps attached. The canvas was usually a tan or pea green color, but mostly it faded to look mustard in appearance. It does have a Cachet de la Commission de Réception or "Receiving Commission" stamp but its hard to make out. 

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Here is a good image of how these packs were loaded out by the soldiers, in the foreground you see several soldiers with folded blankets on top of the packs with the shelter half on top. You can also see pairs of shoes on the sides, as well as the M1881 collapsible water bucket. Towards the center you can see very large mess kits on packs, these are not for individuals but rather a camp mess kit, intended for at least 4 soldiers. Individual mess kits were attached towards the top of the pack. Overcoats were carried on the pack as well in a inverted "U" shape draped from the top down the sides and secured with leather straps. Naturally these packs were not carried into combat, they were usually dropped in unit locations prior to front line action. 

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  • 1 month later...

Here is the Gamelle de Campement or camp mess kit, which was issued 2 per squad. It is basically big scaled up version of the individual mess kit, and was worn on the pack, with a leather strap running from bottom to top to secure it in place. I will most likely have to make my own straps for the pack as they are proving difficult to find.

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  • 7 months later...

Period image showing this above listed mess kit worn on the pack. 

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