Post by tom on Jan 14, 2006 15:48:45 GMT 1
It seams that Bren Holdalls where actually produced, in limited numbers, as early as 1940!
A example (photos to follow when someone can put them up for us) has been unearthed which was made by ME Co and is dated 1940, two years before the LoC anounced it and 2 years before the DD(E) drawing or the sealed pattern examples were sent out to the manufacturers.
From records held at the Pattern Room that was, it is clear that 2 prototypes,one a leather flapped fold out job and another, web, "hockey bag" affair, were produced towards the end of 1940. A third type, a modified version of the web one was also requested before the end of 1940.
There are indications that a further modified third type was produced and trialed as modifications such as the shortening of the shoulder strap by ten inches where requested.
In the records there is a sudden jump to the start of 1942, when 6 sealed pattern examples are mentioned, made by Peter Jones. The holdall then went onto mass production.
It is my belief that the early version/prototype of the standard web holdall was done by Mills Equipment (they claim so in a in house history of the company done in the late 1950s) and that a number where produced which entered service but that the subsequent bombing of their factory led to a curtailment of production/development which was later taken up by other companies in 1942.
I'm am looking further into this and would be grateful to hear about any other early dated holdalls (1940/41) especially ME Co marked ones made from heavy webbing as opposed to canvas. The earliest I own myself is 1942 dated and made from sail cloth / thin canvas.
ATB
Tom
A example (photos to follow when someone can put them up for us) has been unearthed which was made by ME Co and is dated 1940, two years before the LoC anounced it and 2 years before the DD(E) drawing or the sealed pattern examples were sent out to the manufacturers.
From records held at the Pattern Room that was, it is clear that 2 prototypes,one a leather flapped fold out job and another, web, "hockey bag" affair, were produced towards the end of 1940. A third type, a modified version of the web one was also requested before the end of 1940.
There are indications that a further modified third type was produced and trialed as modifications such as the shortening of the shoulder strap by ten inches where requested.
In the records there is a sudden jump to the start of 1942, when 6 sealed pattern examples are mentioned, made by Peter Jones. The holdall then went onto mass production.
It is my belief that the early version/prototype of the standard web holdall was done by Mills Equipment (they claim so in a in house history of the company done in the late 1950s) and that a number where produced which entered service but that the subsequent bombing of their factory led to a curtailment of production/development which was later taken up by other companies in 1942.
I'm am looking further into this and would be grateful to hear about any other early dated holdalls (1940/41) especially ME Co marked ones made from heavy webbing as opposed to canvas. The earliest I own myself is 1942 dated and made from sail cloth / thin canvas.
ATB
Tom
I think the maker is D.M.M...? There is 3 or 4 initials stamped with ink quite poorly inside the main bag flap.