Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of the ever so popular “British Made” M1 General Purpose Ammunition Bag, often referred to as the grenade bag. The bag itself is constructed out of the same heavy duty canvas use to make most of the British P37 web gear.

Before the Normandy landings and the beginning of the operations in Europe, the US army had already settled in Britain for several years and turned the territory into a true advanced base. To meet the needs of military equipment, it faced import problems from the United States because of the blockade led by German submarines: the dreaded U-Boots. As a result, contracts were made with local businesses. This production of US material under British contract bears a name: the British Made.

The top inside of the pouch still retains a somewhat faint, but legible manufacturing information:

ME Co 1944
BRITISH MADE

M.E. Co is the marking for the Mills Equipment Company, the British Arm of the American Mills Company, which had introduced Cotton Webbing based equipment for the U.S. Army. In 1908 they had worked with the British Army to introduce the 1908 Pattern equipment, and worked with the British Military ever since. During WWII, they also started making equipment for U.S. forces, who were based in Britain prior to the D-Day Invasion.

The bag itself is in wonderful condition and does show signs of slight use and wear. The bag is complete and retains the correct carry strap and all hardware necessary to attach to the standard GI equipment.

A solid example ready for display.