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Post by bmouthboyo on Mar 1, 2012 16:22:58 GMT -5
Hi Guys, I bought this sleeping bag here in Britain thinking it was a British Forces 90 Pattern Arctic Sleeping Bag. However it has US stamped on the bottom of the sleeping bag and what I thought was a Bivvy. The seller was a really old lady who didn't know much about it when I asked her on ebay and my GF picked it up so didn't get to ask how she came into possession. From what I have researched it looks similar to your M-1949 Arctic / Mountain bags. However it is in good condition so not sure what year it might have been made. It also has a different label from most I have managed to find on goggle? Also what is this used for? It does not seem waterproof? Do I need to reseal it with a spray or is it not meant to be waterproof? Any info would be much appreciated. Cheers
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 1, 2012 18:12:15 GMT -5
You have a lovely Arctic sleeping bag Due to the color I actually believe it is WW2 vintage. Sleeping bags were not commonly issued to GIs and those few lucky enough to get them typically got the scratchy wool variety. Most GIs made do with a wool blanket or two and a shelter half supplemented by anything they could scrounge. The 10th Mountain and 1st Force (Devils Brigade) Along with the Alaskan Command received down sleeping bags like you show.
The illustration in the label also appears to be WW2 era. The outer shell is just that. They weren't waterproof just meant to be a dust outer cover. The bag looks to be in great shape and is a great find. Post war outer covers were closed by means of snaps where yours has the draw rope again indicating to me an earlier issue.
These bags were produced in great numbers late in the war in Olive Drab but few arrived in time to see use. They were commonly issued in Korea and soldiered on for many many years. I was issued one in Alaska in 1974-5. My sleeping bag cover was OD with snaps while the bag itself was Khaki like you show. The Khaki color for the bags themselves continued well beyond WW2
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Post by bmouthboyo on Mar 2, 2012 15:28:21 GMT -5
Ah thank you for the information. I have done some research and from what I can tell this is the mountain m-1942 ? The arctic one seems to have and inner and outer a bit different to mine? But I could be wrong I contacted the seller who happened to be an 80 year old women!This is what she told me about it: " I have had it for about 4 years,it came from a Lord and Ladies house who my husband worked for,he went all over the place,as he was at the time a M.P.this is not with the government that's in now,yes you are right it is w.w.2.Anyway he was issued it when he was attached to a U.S Unit going to the Artic (can,t tell you why it was classified)during w.w.2.He and his wife lived very close to where I live but they have now passed away.Hope this answers your questions,any more let me know and I will be happy to try and answer them." Amazing really. It is in excellent condition, could only have been used a few times. Not a bad find for £36 hey?
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Mar 3, 2012 0:29:54 GMT -5
Outstanding! The bags were produced in a couple of weights and were rated for varied sub zero temperatures The arctic being the so called mummy bag and rated to keep you warm at 40 degrees below zero. In that regard "warm" is a relative term. I was stationed in Alaska and know these bags all too well. (Although the ones we were issued were typically made in the 50s. they look the same other than the dust cover.) I still have several as well as two or three of the wool WW2 issued GI bags. Incidently these wool bags got to many of the troops before the winter of 44 but field troops found them more effective as additional out wear and often cut them such that their legs and arms protruded.
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roadwarrior
Private
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Posts: 262
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Post by roadwarrior on Mar 4, 2012 0:25:30 GMT -5
Incidently these wool bags got to many of the troops before the winter of 44 but field troops found them more effective as additional out wear and often cut them such that their legs and arms protruded.I can't imagine how that would look.
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