The M-1910 Pack Carrier or "Pack Tail"
The pack carrier, or “pack tail” as it is commonly referred to as, was an attachment for the M-1910 haversack. The purpose of the pack carrier was to connect to the bottom of the haversack by a leather tongue and wrap around the shelter half/blanket that would extend beyond the bottom of the haversack, securing it in place. The first pattern of pack carrier that the Army Infantry Equipment Board put out was a triangular shaped piece of cotton duck with eight slits in the top, with a leather tongue attached to the top of the carrier by means of an elastic strap. There is one canvas strap that runs along the front of the carrier with the buckle on the right side extended from the edge. There is also a canvas strap towards the bottom of the carrier with a the buckle and strap both extended the same distance from the carrier to buckle to meet half way around the roll. The bottom strap also has two D rings on the front. The most distinguishing feature of the 1st pattern pack carrier are the two “ear lobes” on the bottom of it. These extend out slightly diagonal with a strap on each lobe holding a D ring. “U.S” is stamped on the front, and sometimes can have unit markings, equipment tags, or both present as well (our example has both).
The 2nd pattern M-1910 pack carrier is much more common, and was the most widely used during WWI. The design was much more simple, still retaining the top and bottom retaining straps but the D rings on the bottom strap were left out of the design. The ear lobes of the first pattern were also done away with, and the D rings were simply attached to the bottom of the carrier by canvas straps. There was no elastic strap connecting the leather tongue to the carrier. The pack carrier also featured the “U.S.” motif in the center of the front of the carrier. These carriers were usually marked with the manufacturer’s name and date of production on the back.
It should be noted that there was also USMC/USN variation of the pack carrier that included several rows of slits at the top, allowing for adjustable extension of the carrier. They also can have “USMC” stamped inside. These are more difficult to find than the 1st pattern pack carriers.
(Cover Photo Courtesy of The National Archives)
American Militaria Reference
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