Original U.S. WWII Army M1942 Mountain Backpack - Rucksack with Frame by Avery with Odd Additions - Dated 1943

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a good condition U.S. Army M1942 Mountain Backpack - Rucksack with a metal frame, officially designated specification J.Q.D. 88B by the Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot. This was one of several designs developed by the J.Q.D. in order to provide a better pack solution for mountain troops. The standard combat rigging haversacks were unfortunately insufficient for carrying the amount of gear needed when there were no vehicles to carry supplies. As such they designed these metal frame packs to solve the issue.

The J.Q.D. 88B was the third version of this design, and one of the most widely produced. The metal frame itself measures about 17 1/2" wide x 21" tall x 6" deep, so once fully loaded this was a large pack indeed. This pack was manufactured by Avery in 1943, as marked on the inside of the top flap. Someone, likely during the period, stitched what were originally padding onto both of the backpack straps, but the material inside of these is now nearly entirely degraded and is falling apart to the touch.

The pack is in fair but service-worn condition with heavy wear to the lettering and markings. There are some very small holes in the rucksack but otherwise it is a solid piece. The pieces stitched to the straps should probably be removed. This is a great chance to pick up a nice example of this U.S. Army mountain backpack. Ready to display!