BACKGROUND: The combat Y-straps were developed in April 1939 along with the M39 backpack to replace the earlier M34 backpack with integral shoulder straps. The combat Y-straps were also utilized with other backpacks including the A-Frame Assault pack and were designed to assist in distributing the weight of the equipment carried on the load bearing waist belt to the shoulders. The combat Y-straps were originally issued to Infantry rifle company personnel in April 1939 followed by motorcycle personnel in June 1941 and by bicycle troops in March 1943. Of Note: "Cavalry" pattern Y-straps, based on a pre-WWI design, were introduced on February 15TH 1940 and were originally intended for mounted personnel, although they saw widespread use by officers, cavalry, motorcycle, bicycle and paratroop personnel. The cavalry pattern Y-straps followed the basic design of the Infantry pattern Y-straps but excluded the auxiliary straps as cavalry personnel didn’t require the additional support for the waist belt as they were equipped with saddle bags instead of the standard backpack or rucksack. Originally all the Y-straps were produced in a blackened leather until late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms and equipment were quickly developed and issued in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941 and included canvas web construction Y-straps. Eventually, due to leather shortages the canvas web Y-straps were also issued to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe and other theatres of battle.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Blackened leather Y-straps, with two main front straps, two auxiliary straps, a short back strap and steel fittings. Main straps are each roughly 24" long and are slightly tapered with a transverse piece of leather stitched on one end creating a "T" to prevent loss of the length adjustment buckles. (One of the "T" ends has been cut off). Obverse of each main strap has a leather reinforced steel "D" ring near top and a steel pronged roller buckle with attached belt support hook near bottom. Main straps each have eight length adjustment buckling eyelets. Reverse of main straps with rivetted and stitch reinforced auxiliary straps. Narrow auxiliary straps are looped at ends with an inserted steel "D" ring and have a steel length adjusting studded buckle, leather retaining loop, and twelve length adjustment stud eyelets. Short, narrow, tapering back strap with steel belt hook stitched to end, steel length adjustment stud and six length adjustment eyelets. Front straps are stitched around a large metal ring, while back strap is looped around the ring and secured by the steel stud. Reverse of ring has a stitched on, tear dropped shaped, protective leather tab which is also looped around back strap. Reverse of the tear drop shaped tab has an impressed RB number. Reverse of all straps in natural tan leather. Decent pair.