Dutch Web Gear from the 1980s and a question....

Very nice photos!

How did you get the year 1953, is there a description with these photos?

A fun detail to note with these (and he photo I posted) is that they're all Marechaussee dressed in full gear, which normally never happens.

I also thought that maybe they just lengthened the lower L-strap parts with adding a packstrap, which would give a nice extra length, but afaik they did not get that many packstraps issued to do that and strap the "berenlul" to the pack

And exactly, to hang it by the L-strap ends one would need to be an anorexic.

The pictures are available through the photo database on the MvD website. If I recall, the series are dated circa 1953.

I've found this picture where the bedroll is fastened to the small pack with seven utility straps.

" alt=""/>

On the photo were the large pack is worn only five straps are used. This would leave two spare straps for the attachement of the small pack.

Seven straps sometimes are shown in the PSU kits that are advertised for sale on marktplaats and elsewhere. Sometimes five. Since the large pack was rarely worn as designed, five should have been enough for most jobs.

Figured I would chime in here with my small bit of info. I bought a Dutch grouping, belonging to a 2nd Lieutenant(2e Luitenant) who served in 422IBC, which was a territorial infantry company = 422 Infanteriebeveiligingscompagnie - (InfBevCie 422), in 1985 and 86. I have contact with the vet and have asked him many questions. It came with almost everything, including both packs and straps.

Of relevance to this post, he was issued 8 equipment straps.

His large pack is the rubberized type and is dated 1983(the earliest dated one I have seen, considering the NSN for the rubberized large pack was created on 5th July 1982, this is very early). It came with 1 equipment strap attached to it to carry it like a briefcase, which when I asked him, he said this was how it was carried, normally it was left in the vehicle. His small pack is an old M52 pack.

I then asked him what he used the other 7 equipment straps for, he said 6 of them were for the sleeping bag and the last was a spare I guess. He carried the sleeping bag with the pup tent wrapped around it, on his chest. He said he used 4 straps on the sleeping bag(1 strap won't wrap all the way around it), 2 on each side, linked together. The he said the other 2 were used to attach it to the pack, but I have no idea how that was done.



As for attaching both packs, I too have wondered how it was done, for a while all I had to go on was the photo michel. I asked the dutch group 41dko, I got a reply today with these 2 photos:



So it seems that is how they are attached. But I don't have a canvas large pack and the rubberized large pack is different so I haven't tested it yet. The rubberized large pack bottom loops, on the bottom of the pack that you slip the L straps through, they are opposite of the way they are on the M52, so it might be easier on the M52 pack. I tried it with the rubberized large pack and let me tell you, it sucks. Like really really bad. There is no way this was the way to do it in the 80s. It looks like it might be easier with the older M52.

Oh and they also said the blanket roll was not used past the late 70s, so by the 80s the sleeping bag roll carried on the chest was the norm. About carrying it they said: "It’s called “Suriname rol”. You also just the straps to make a roll and hang it on your “hoekriem” of your webbing." Based on that I came up with this:




I used a UK Pattern 58 Sleeping Bag as a stand in as I don't have a KL one yet. I used 4 equipment straps, 2 on each side. I think this was how its done, can't really find any other way, nor do I see how the 2 extra straps would be used to attach it to the pack.

Luke your photos don't seem to show up.

Right, sorry about that, this should work, here:

The 1983 large pack with carrying strap:



The photos 41dko sent me:



How I think the sleeping bag was carried:

Thanks!, nice pictures. I think your solution is the most likely option for the sleeping bag to be carried. Have you tried wearing the full set with sleeping bag?