Rigger-made Leg Bag

Rigger-made Leg Bag

This is something of a mystery item to me, and I will fully admit that the identification of this piece is a hopeful assumption, based on the work that has been done to make this item. It started life as 1943-dated US Army Kitbag, and was issued to a GI (his name and number have been painted out on the side).

The complete bag.
A flapped front pocket has been added and the top opening has also had a flap added. Strapping for these flaps is made from British 1937 pattern webbing and buckles.

All seams are heavily reinforced with thick black thread and a mixture of copper and nickel rivets have been used at various points.

The original shoulder strap has been removed and the carrying handle is heavily sewn down and riveted, with a reinforcement piece on the inside of the bag as well.

The above photo shows the work carried out on the carrying handle. Note also the top of the "US" stencil on the right - this shows how much the bag has been shortened from its original length.

The "rear" of the bag, showing four heavily reinforced attachments points, top at the top and two at the bottom. Note also the machine-sewing reinforcing the seam on the bag.

The bottom of the bag with an added foot-loop and heavy reinforcing.
This foot-loop shows that the bag could have been worn for a jump on the leg like a standard Leg-Bag, and it is assumed that a leg strap fitting was attached to the 4 attachment points, with a quick-release mechanism to release it from the leg, the bag to be then lowered to a safe distance by a drop line attached to the T-5 parachute harness and perhaps secured to bag on the side carrying handle (hence the reinforcement of the handle area).

The top opening of the bag, showing the added flap. The clip from the removed shoulder strap is still used to close the flap opening.

The top opening has had 4 brass eyelets added between the original closing eyelets, but these do not appear to have been used (the bag was closed with the strap hook as normal when it was obtained). The interior flap has been moved from its original position and sewn onto a different side.

The front flapped pocket fits a .30 Cal MG Ammunition Box perfectly, but there is no way of telling if this was its intended purpose, and the mystery of the exact purpose of this bag remains!

Return to Gear

Return to Homepage

This is something of a mystery item to me, and I will fully admit that the identification of this piece is a hopeful assumption, based on the work that has been done to make this item. It started life as 1943-dated US Army Kitbag, and was issued to a GI (his name and number have been painted out on the side).
	The complete bag. A flapped front pocket has been added and the top opening has also had a flap added. Strapping for these flaps is made from British 1937 pattern webbing and buckles. All seams are heavily reinforced with thick black thread and a mixture of copper and nickel rivets have been used at various points. The original shoulder strap has been removed and the carrying handle is heavily sewn down and riveted, with a reinforcement piece on the inside of the bag as well.

The above photo shows the work carried out on the carrying handle. Note also the top of the "US" stencil on the right - this shows how much the bag has been shortened from its original length.

The "rear" of the bag, showing four heavily reinforced attachments points, top at the top and two at the bottom. Note also the machine-sewing reinforcing the seam on the bag.
	The bottom of the bag with an added foot-loop and heavy reinforcing. This foot-loop shows that the bag could have been worn for a jump on the leg like a standard Leg-Bag, and it is assumed that a leg strap fitting was attached to the 4 attachment points, with a quick-release mechanism to release it from the leg, the bag to be then lowered to a safe distance by a drop line attached to the T-5 parachute harness and perhaps secured to bag on the side carrying handle (hence the reinforcement of the handle area).
	The top opening of the bag, showing the added flap. The clip from the removed shoulder strap is still used to close the flap opening.
	The top opening has had 4 brass eyelets added between the original closing eyelets, but these do not appear to have been used (the bag was closed with the strap hook as normal when it was obtained). The interior flap has been moved from its original position and sewn onto a different side.
	The front flapped pocket fits a .30 Cal MG Ammunition Box perfectly, but there is no way of telling if this was its intended purpose, and the mystery of the exact purpose of this bag remains!