Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a wonderful service used rifleman's M1923 cartridge belt rig, featuring an assortment of items, part of the typical loadout that a rifleman would be equipped with during WWII. The items show the usual wear from service, and include a WWI Era M1910 seamed aluminum canteen, as the need for canteens led to those in storage being reissued. Many of the items also have personalized markings on them, giving them a real "been there" feel.

The Items In This Collection:
- M-1923 (Dismounted) Cartridge Belt by Russell Mills Co. (R.M.Co.) dated 1941: The M-1923 cartridge belt enabled infantrymen to carry two 8-round clips of .30 caliber ammunition for the M1 Garand rifle in each of the 10 pouches (160 rounds total). Normally worn with suspenders, the canteen, first aid pouch, all of which is included, entrenching tool (not included) and bayonet (not included) could be attached to the belt as a basic rifleman's personal equipment. When carrying a washing kit, rations, extra clothing, shelter/cape and other necessities these would be stowed in a canvas knapsack. Initially made of tan-colored webbing, canvas personal equipment was made of olive-green canvas from 1943, although the lighter shade continued to be worn in service throughout the Second World War.

- M-1936 Suspenders, Belt, M-1936. These have snap hooks to support the pistol belt or the cartridge belt and "D" rings in front to attach the musette bag. They are faintly marked, but it is illegible.

- M-1924 First Aid Kit Pouch. The pouch itself is by BURLINGTON MILLS INC. and is dated 1944. It is in great shape, and has some post war markings on the interior.

- M-1910/42 Canteen Set: Consists of Cover with faint U.S. Stamp, which has a faded marking on the interior, a 1941 dated cup by T.A.U.Co, and an M1910 Seamed aluminum canteen with an aluminum cap by AmForge, Inc..

A lovely assortment of items that is perfect for the young collector just starting out.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

The United States Army in World War II had a distinct advantage over the Axis when it came to equipment. Both in terms of quality and quantity the power of American industry kept the GI’s well supplied.

For a Soldier, equipment is a matter of survival. Even something as simple as a button can make the difference between victory and defeat if it fails to function properly at the wrong time. For this reason Soldiers have a strong tendency to become attached to equipment they like, and to modify or discard equipment they find unreliable or useless. Among the Infantry, who have to carry their equipment wherever they go, this tendency is even stronger.

Soldiers must carry everything they need for combat operations with them at all times.

Individual load carrying equipment is designed to allow the Soldier to carry a basic load of ammunition, food, water, and first-aid gear. The exact make-up of this load varies from conflict to conflict. In more modern times the load has grown to include additional equipment such as gas masks, maps, compasses, and radios. Because of the cost of replacing equipment for Soldiers is high, equipment is usually replaced in phases, with front-line troops receiving the new equipment first. Support units typically receive equipment later as older equipment wears out or becomes obsolete. Because of this, Soldiers in World War II went to war using several different versions of the basic load bearing gear.