H776 M34 "PONY FUR" BACK PACK. (Tornister) Based on the earlier Prussian back pack, this model was introduced in November 1934 with minor variations. Pack measures roughly, 12 1/4" tall, 11" wide, and 4 " deep. Olive drab, water resistant, heavy canvas construction with the opening flap covered in brown cowhide. Canvas reverse and bottom are reinforced with stitching in a small square pattern. Top of reverse has a stitched on, blackened leather, reinforcement strip. Leather reinforcement strip has two metal plates with swivel armed rivets for attaching carrying straps. Reinforcement strip also has impressed RB number. Attached, tapering, carrying straps have an steel pronged buckle with friction clip and seven buckling holes. Ends of straps have a transverse piece of leather stitched on creating a "T". Additional auxiliary straps are riveted to main straps. Auxiliary straps are looped at ends with a "D" ring and have a length adjusting studded buckle, leather retaining loop, and stud holes. Reverse of one main strap with faint impressed markings that appear to be," Munitz Mauler Leipzig 1915". Strap also unit marked, "2./J.R.2" and has an additional numeral "60". Cowhide flap with two vertical leather closure straps which attached to leather reinforced roller buckles to pack bottom. Bottom also has two leather reinforced metal carbine hooks for the "D" rings on auxiliary straps. Cowhide flap also has a horizontal leather loop and rectangular metal ring near top edge. Left side of pack has three vertical stitched on leather loops, and two to right side. Reverse, interior of cowhide flap has one large pocket of light weight tan canvas with alloy dish button closure. Large heavy olive drab canvas pocket interior with heavy reinforced bottom and two fold over flaps with three horizontal leather straps and roller buckle closure. Separate small stitched in pocket of light weight tan canvas with leather strap and stud closure for the mess kit. Interior pockets show numerous small rips and tears, and leather fittings are a bit dry. Of Note: The M34 pack was to be replaced with the M1939 pack without the integral shoulder straps, coinciding with the introduction of the Y-straps. This M34 example with the RB number, which wasn’t introduced until 1942, and a WWI strap indicates the textile shortage the German’s were facing as the war dragged on.

GRADE *** PRICE $86.00