MILITARY BAGS & CASES

t’s not big enough to fit a snare, or even an 8” concert tom, but this Chinese military drum pouch did carry ammo drums for the SKS rifles used in the Vietnam War. Vaguely triangular, the pouch measures approx 7” tall, 7” wide at the top and 2” wide at the bottom. Has an adjustable shoulder strap, and cool Chinese lettering on the inside of the flap, which has a toggle closure. In classic olive drab, of course.

The light-duty, light-green, lightly used canvas combat pack is probably Romanian. It was used so gently we’re confident in calling it “almost new.” Measures approx 11” x 10” x 5” with an inner side compartment, a large shoulder strap, a strap to close the front flap, and (2) bonus straps to wear it as a backpack.

When you need to keep your powder dry, you'll wish you had this army-green rubberized bag from the Dutch military. Measures 12" tall x 14" wide x 5" deep, with tri-fold top flaps for extra waterproofing and heavy-duty embedded feet on the bottom corners. No carrying straps, but it has plastic buckles on the back and sides to add them. Easy conversion to a messenger bag or a pair of panniers.

From Belgium, where they kept the gas mask and left us holding the bag. In olive drab canvas, with a shoulder strap, the pouch measures 11-1/2" tall x 5-1/2" square with a buckled top flap with leather-reinforced sides and (2) 8-1/2” deep pockets. Has (3) external C-rings, and the adjustable strap is approx 48” long with a lanyard clip.

This olive drab Austrian military soft pack measures approx 15" x 13" x 7" with an inner pouch measuring approx 13" x 7". There’s a drawstring around the top to pull the bag tight, as well as a flap and staps to wrap it into a cylinder and hold it in place. Also has holes for mounting it to a belt, which officially turns it into a fanny pack. Feels like nylon with canvas webbing.

You’ll need a map case. From the pre-smartphone world, where military maps still live. These are 11" x 6-1/2" folded, and they open to a clear 16-1/2" x 20" window with a zippered top on one side and a 7" x 4-1/2" x 5/8" flapped pocket with (5) pen holders on it. Close with hook-n-loop fasteners and have a 42” long adjustable and removable shoulder strap. You pick olive digital camo or desert digital camo versions.

You thought we were going to say “knife”! But no, this is their bag, baby—a Swiss Army M90 rubber rucksack, 100% polyamide, water-resistant and PVC-coated. Heavy-duty, olive drab and in very good condition. Measures 18” x 15” x 5”. Has a padded lower-back bar, a flap-closure top and (2) side pockets with quick-release buckle closures and cinch straps. This is a really sweet bag for collectors, but you can also use it for camping and hiking.

We think these started life in the Chinese military, but they won’t say. They’re small garment bags in a heavy rubberized fabric. Measure 24" x 15-1/2” x 5-1/2" but have a set of double-snap male closures with (3) alternate sets of female clips so you can keep it full length, fold it once, or roll it up to 1/3-size. Has zippers halfway down for loading ease, and the handle will detach and re-attach in another position when folded smaller. Also has a 2” x 1-1/2” ID-card slot.

Nah, we don’t know either. It’s an olive drab canvas bag 30” x 29” in a vaguely torso/chubby clover shape, e.g. with approx 8” bump-outs at the the top and on two upper sides. Like a garment bag for a fancy dress uniform with a giant collar and big epaulets. (OK, we made that up, but still.) Has a double zipper over the top, canvas handle grips, and adjustable 40” straps so it can be worn like a backpack. (French vets are encouraged to call us and explain.)

Take a quick look at this cylinder-shaped olive drab heavy canvas duffle bag and you’ll think it’s standard issue GI. But surprise, soldier—it’s from the Chinese military. Measures 36” long x 12” dia, and has the standard (3) eyelets on top, with the hook and loop system that keeps it loosely closed. Circular flap inside the bag keeps contents covered and protected. Thick handle and shoulder strap make it easy to tote, plus there’s a little outside pocket with a window for a badge or ID.