British backpack 1917 ???

[Grenadier1982]

Hello everyone!

I hope you can help me with this backpack. I get this one in a large set with different rucksacks, WW1 breadbags, WW1 german field canteen and others.

I have no idea what it is - britisch backpack WW1? German with british components? or something else?

One strap is marked with M.E.Co.1917 (broad arrow)

Maybe someone of you can help me with this strange pack!

Best regards!

Stephan

[Gary Jucha]

It's

It's certainly British.
MECO
(Mills Equipment Company).

[Grenadier1982]

Thanks!

But which kind or pattern is it? I've never seen such a backpack

[R Williams]

I'd suggest posting your pictures here

http://www.karkeeweb.com/index.html

About the best reference site on British and Commonwealth web gear around.

Be sure to post back here when you find out what it is.

[Grenadier1982]

That's an good idea!

Thanks! I will post if I get new news!

Stephan

[Infanteer]

Very strange because it is very typical German type construction except for what appears to be a P'08 strap that was pressed into service as a shoulder strap. Is there any evidence that the strap with the markings was added later? It appears from the photos to be all original so perhaps it's just an obscure pack with components copied from German equipment. I'll be very interested to see what info others can provide.

[Gustaf B]

I do not think this is British, the Brace that is marked by Mills is, but the rest is something that has been put together. It is interesting, and I would wager that it is post WWI.
Best
Gus
PS If Roger or John at Karki web can not ID it, it does not exist

[Todd G]

Could it be Portuguese?

Anybody have references on Portuguese web gear from WW1? If I remember correctly, Mills was contracted to make it for them.....

Todd G.

[lnijherald]

The broad arrow suggests it is a British MOD approoved pattern.

Luc

[ROBB]

It looks to be a German rucksack that has been field repaired with a piece of British web . Rob

[robbo1964]

Somthing tells me I,ve seen hybrid equiptment like this used in the interwar period in Estonia and lithuania ??
Regards
Robbo

[Grenadier1982]

Hello everyone,

thanks a lot for the answer.

Here are some better pictures of the backpack.

Outside:




Inside:





Regards!
Stephan