Pre 1910 Haversacks and Cartridge Belt Suspenders
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M1904 Haversack
This haversack was the standard issue haversack for soldiers of the United States military prior to the introduction of the M1910 Haversack. The haversack allowed the soldier to carry his rations, mess gear, and small personal items. Although the M1904 haversack was outdated by World War I, many National Guard units arrived in France still using this haversack. This haversack was manufactured by the Rock Island Arsenal in 1904. This haversack still has the leather lace inside to close an inner pocket. The M1904 haversack attached to the cartridge belt using two bent wire hooks. Haversacks prior to 1904 were carried using a leather strap. These too were issued to some soldiers during World War I.
M1908 Haversack
In 1908, the M1904 haversack was reevaluated and the design slightly changed. The haversack, now designated as the M1908 was slightly smaller than the M1904. Also the two wire hooks on the back were replaced by two spring hooks. This haversack, manufactured by the Rock Island Arsenal in 1910, would be produced through 1914, and also issued to soldiers during World War I. The haversack seen here was once owned by a soldier of B company, 1st Virginia Infantry, the haversack bears the unit's markings and soldier's roster number of 95. This unit saw duty on the Mexican border in 1916 and later became part of the 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division during World War I.
This photo shows the difference in size between the M1904 and M1908 Haversacks
Cartridge belt suspenders, Mills models, M1907 on the left and wartime manufactured M1917 suspenders on the right.
Cartridge belt suspenders became part of the soldier's equipment during the early 1900's. Unlike pre 1903 soldiers such as those of the Spanish American War, who would only carry a bayonet on his cartridge belt, the soldier of 1903- 1910 would carry most of his combat load on his M1903 cartridge belt. The M1903 cartridge belt would support the soldier's haversack, canteen, first aid dressing, bayonet, and intrenching tool. Thus various web suspenders manufactured by Mills and Russell were employed to support the weight of the cartridge belt. With the introduction of the 1910 equipment, suspenders became an integral part of the haversack which was worn on the back, rather than hanging from the cartridge belt. Soldiers who were issued the M1910 haversack so longer needed the earlier model suspenders. However mounted soldiers were not issued the M1910 haversack and they retained the cartridge belt suspenders to support their load. Some doughboys would aquire a set of suspenders to use in the trenches.
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