United States Army Mountain Troops Backpack (Rucksack). M1942. Also has metal frame. Marker marked and dated on interior: Lyon & Coulson 1943. Heavily worn condition with some staining and snags/holes. Additional Notes: The US Army M1942 rucksack had a leather frame support that bore heavy loads better than the 1941 pattern’s web frame support pocket. Attaching the shoulder straps directly to the frame support held the rucksack more tightly to the soldier’s shoulders and let him carry the rucksack without a frame if needed. Two wide, web straps with double-bar, bronze buckles encircled the rucksack pouch and pouch flap on both sides of the meat can pocket. The straps reinforced the pouch, kept the cover flap tightly closed to keep out snow, and squeezed the load close to the frame. A separate belly-band, worn higher than on the previous version, passed through slots made by the reinforcement straps. Four canvas equipment tabs, two on each side of the rucksack, provided attachments for equipment such as the intrenching tool, bayonet, and first aid pouch. The rucksacks continued to use the heavy ribbed web shoulder straps and thick felt pads found on the 1941 pattern rucksacks. See Additional Information for shipping dimensions.
