USMC M1941 Pack Configuration Guide
The Marine Corps M1941 pack system (often referred to as 782 pack set) was introduced in 1942 and replaced the M1928 Haversack. Below is a guide to the four basic pack configurations.
Marching Pack
M1941 Haversack, M1941 Suspenders, e-tool. This configuration was designed for combat situations as well as light marches where no bivouac was planed.
Field Marching Pack
M1941 Haversack, M1941 Suspenders, shelter half, e-tool. An “upgraded” Marching Pack designed for field marches that included bivouac.
Transport Pack
M1941 Haversack (top), M1941 Knapsack (bottom), M1941 Suspenders, e-tool. this configuration was intended to be used while in transit.
Field Transport Pack
M1941 Haversack (top), M1941 Knapsack (bottom), M1941 Suspenders, e-tool, shelter half. This was the largest of all pack configurations. Often used on what was expected to be a long operation.
Check out part two of my guide here: USMC M9141 Pack Configuration Guide Part 2
M1 Pencil 
Do you think its exactly same pack soldier soldiers wear on iwo jima?
The USMC used the M1941 pack throughout the war (starting at around 1942 if i remember correctly). So yes, on Iwo Jima as well. There are some slight variations of the pack but basically its is always the same.
Iwo jima pack
Thanks for quick answer
Yes, as you can see on the pic the Marine on the left with his back to the camera is wearing a M1941 pack, assembled in “Field Transport Pack” configuration.
Thank you
now i understand Ill try to buy and add team togeter but its really rare and hard to find but still ill get it
Thanks again for your time
I as wondering if anyone has worn the field transport pack for an extended period of time, i often go hiking and i was interested in getting a field transport pack to wear as by backpack. Does anyone know if it is uncomfortable or to heavy to wear for extended time? I would realy like anyones opinion, thanks.
I am interested in getting a field transport pack to wear when i go hiking, does anyone know if they are uncomfortable or heavy to wear for extended periods? I would like anyones opinions about this. thanks
I have worn one for a few hours max, so i can no comment on very long periods of time. The field transport pack is quite comfortable to wear and the integrated suspenders help to distribute the weight. But i guess it might be a bit unpractical for hiking because you have to wear a belt + suspenders to make the pack system work. Without the use of suspenders the weight is not distributed that well and it might be less comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
See part 2 of my guide on the “integrated suspenders”.
thanks for your opinion, i dont go hiking for days, it would be for about 6-8 hours, with a few rests in between, you think it will be pretty confortable for that amount?
Also, i would get the whole outfit, belt, suspenders, etc. not just the pack
I guess it would be quite comfortable (for a WW2 pack!) certainly there are better suited modern packs.
Of course it all comes down to personal preferences so i can not guarantee anything. 😉
If you want to do this i would recommend to get a reproduction, originals will be expensive and you will
have to find one in very good condition, the straps being 65+ years old are often fragile.
Thanks, i would be getting a reproduction, from wwiiimpressions.
I was wondering, on the pictures i saw, the marines wore the belt with holes to hang stuff on the outside of their shirts, what belt do they wear to hold up their pants?
A “web trouser belt” was used to hold up the pants. You can easily find reproductions of those.
I have a question, i bought a knapsack and haversack from a reproduction website, the website shows they are khaki and picstures ive seen of ww2 shows khaki, but the ones i recieved are green. Were they really green or what?
The official designation for the color of US WW2 field gear was “olive drab nr.3”. This OD3 is sometimes referred to as “khaki” by collectors and reenactors but it is actually a “green”. In reality OD3 could vary from almost pea green to mustard brown, this depended on the manufacturer and the materials used among other things. There is no one 100% correct color for OD3. Later in the war OD7 was introduced, OD7 is a distinctly dark green. Not sure what color your repro pack is?
The pack i got is almost dark green, so the green is correct, i always thought it was khaki?
The pack i got is almost dark green, so the green is correct, i always thought they were khaki?
Something along the lines of OD3 would be correct. OD7 maybe for late war model packs.
i was wondering to put the shovel on do you use just that one strap at the bottom of the cover or is there hooks
There are hooks on the back of the shovel cover, those attach to the M1941 Haversack.
okay thanks big help
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USMC field gear. at War relics forum said this on September 5, 2012 at 14:18 |
I would like your permission to use the 4 photos of the ww2 pack system posted here for use in a kiosk presentation for visitors in the MCRD San Diego command museum (non-profit). Please let me know. Thanks
Hello, thank you for asking, yes you can use them.
Hi I would love to use these fine images in a photo gallery. please contact me. james.martin@cbsinteractive.com
Hi, I have sent you a mail
Well, when I went to Parris Island the top of the pack was called the knapsack and the bottom was called the haversack.
We were issued 782 gear in Vietnam! As soon as possible it was replaced with US Army or NOVArtis.
I’m new to military packs. What’s the difference between M1941 and P41 packs? Also, I’ve been told that the pack at http://imgur.com/a/QxYCX is a 2nd pattern P41 (late WW2). Can anyone confirm this or give additional information on this pack? There are no markings other then the “-1-” as seen in the photos. Any help is greatly appreciated.
P41 / M1941 same thing. The second pattern (aka M1944) “roll top” pack
does not have a flap on top, instead you roll the top to close it.
I do not know what the “-1-” stands for
Thanks for the clarification. Much appreciated.
Would you say the pack at http://imgur.com/a/QxYCX could be late WW2?
Yes it is a roll top pack, there is still a bit of a debate as to how much use these saw in WW2.
Possible that this one is Korean or Vietnam era?
Yes these packs were used in Korea too, not sure about Vietnam (not my area of expertise) 😉
Yeah they were still issued through Vietnam. A friend of mine said that he had his rigged to the top portion of a packboard with I believe an ammo can below.
I am writing an article which details the history of U.S. military packs, and these photos would be a great addition to the article, if I could ge permission to reuse.
Yes sure, use the photos. Please credit
I was wondering if by any chance you know what type of pack marine carried while doing beach landings. Was it the transport pack or the field transport pack?
Also thank you for this article. I was doing some research and am very thankful to have found this piece you made.
Hi, it would probably depend on the expected length / type of landing. I do not think it was the same all the time