Canvas bivvy bag, UK issue 1965?

[daf187]

I picked up a canvas bivvy bag from Ebay in a drunken bidding frenzy, has anyone got any info on military issue bags from the 60s?

It's olive green canvas with a green wool liner, steel zip one side and white stock number printed on it, dated 1965.

In my cadet days I had lots of old '58 issue gear, but never came across a bivvy bag other than the nylon ones that came before goretex. Any ideas? Maybe US issue? It's a cool piece of gear, I'd be grateful to learn a bit more about it.

When I get organised I'll send attach a pic.

Ta,

Daf

 

[ozzy1977]

Pics please or a link to seller

 

[treadlightly]

Sounds very interesting, looking forward to seeing a pic or two

 

[Damascus]

Is there an army part number, if so if it contains -99- it's British if it has -00- it's US if that's some help. It sounds like the military issue for Arctic/extreme cold weather.

 

[daf187]

What a muppet, child rearing is melting my brain.
Will upload pix now, but date is actually 1952 and has the 'arrow' WD issue.
Daf

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daf187/11219364876/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daf187/11219369374/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daf187/11219493563/

 

[bilmo-p5]

​void post...

 

[ozzy1977]

Kid of suggests it is British, from around 1952

 

[RonW]

Interesting. SOunds a bit like a US sleepingbag with canvascover.

 

[ozzy1977]

Did the americans use an arrow or was it just the British?

 

[daf187]

Heh, yes I'm guessing it's British from 1952, just wondered if anyone had seen one before. As a nipper i was an army surplus fanatic and had all sorts of khaki nonsense in my bedroom from ww2 onwards, but this has left me stumped.

 

[daf187]

Pix added, links should work now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daf187/11219364876/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daf187/11219369374/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daf187/11219493563/

 

[Dogoak]

Looks similar to a WWII officers sleeping bag cover which was canvas with a wool liner. The date suggests Korean war era.

 

[udamiano]

Im guessing it might be more Australian than English, we both used the arrow as the WD stamp. and canvass bedrolls would be more arid climate kit then european issue.
just a thought

 

[ozzy1977]

Looks like a good bit of kit, not seen one my self, did you get it from a shop or private trader on ebay?

 

[RonW]

Wow, that looks nice!
How's the quality of the woolliner?

 

[andybysea]

As has been said very similar to the ww2 version(ww2 version tended to be khaki,and didnt have press studs) im sure there is a way of telling(slight differances) if the w/d stamp was from another country eg Canada India and Australia all used it during ww2 but there was a slight differance to each /|\ But i cant remember off hand what each one is. any markings on the studs zip etc that might narrow it down,defo not American though.

 

[daf187]

Interesting points, udamiano, Dogoak and Andybysea thanks.
Ozzy1977 I got it from a private sale on ebay, but the seller didn't know anything about it.
RonW the wool looks in great shape, considering it's 60 years old. Can't wait to try it out.

 

[Damascus]

It's a British military issue bed roll cover, I had one in my yoooof, a great bit of kit. If you are Daniel Boone enthusiast you have the dogs for your sleeping arrangements. I wish I still had mine, good find.

 

[ozzy1977]

I do like the look of these, does anyone know of a supplier of them?

 

[Joonsy]

in the early 1980s i had a canvas 'bivy' type bag that i bought from an army surplus store, it was canvas with wool lining and had tie cords down one side for closure (no zip) the head section was like a large pocket to stuff for pillow.