WTK: What is this bag?

[Wingnutt]

Does anyone know what this bag is? Heavy weave of canvas, webbing straps, and copper rivets definitely looks wartime, and it has a faint black "US" stamp on it, too. It looks like a "Bailey" bag, in shape, and is similar in function, with the way it can be carried from the web loops at top, or the web loops at the bottom. But a Bailey bag has hemp or manila rope handles and it's much longer. This is oval-ish/square-ish in shape - 16" high by 13" and 16" wide - and heavily reinforced on the bottom. I keep thinking it looks like a feed bag. For horses or mules. But that is a total SWAG.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

"Bag, Canvas, Coal, 1 Bushel"

Mine is dated 1950 and is unused.

[Wingnutt]

Thanks! Where is the date stamp on yours?

I normally hate to use vintage USGI bags, collectible value or not, but I am sorely tempted to use this one to tote heavy stuff in it! It is very well constructed.

[Joe Gopan]

Army still had barracks w/coal fired furnaces into the 60's. I skipped a lot of basic firing my barracks and the regimental HQ.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

Thanks! Where is the date stamp on yours?

I normally hate to use vintage USGI bags, collectible value or not, but I am sorely tempted to use this one to tote heavy stuff in it! It is very well constructed.

Just went to the "Collection Room" to get it.

Very nice stamp, but my camera is in the van in the garage. I will post a picture in the morning, when I get my camera.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

Photo(s) as requested.

[Wingnutt]

Thanks for the photos, GUNNUT. They are very helpful to me. When you first replied and said your bag was dated, I was picturing a simple date stamp, perhaps accompanied by a Mfgr's name, like you see on so many other canvas items (e.g., water buckets). That is verse and scripture and entire nomenclature right there!

Below are some photos of the stamps on my bag.





It's interesting, and makes sense, that the stamps are in the same location on the bag. I had to do some careful scrubbing with some soap and water and a brush to make them stand out more, especially the COAL BAG stamp, which I could not even see the other day.

Based on the more primitive stamps (just "US" and "COAL BAG", no stock numbers, agency, etc), the font differences (mine has the serifs typically associated with wartime stamping on Musette bags, holsters, etc), and the flat head rivets, I am inclined to date mine to wartime.

Thanks very much for replying to my WTK, GUNNUT. It was very helpful.

[Steve Webb]

That explains the dump strap at the bottom. I am always amazed at how helpful and intelligent the Gee is. The collective knowledge and memory of folks is really something.

[GUNNUT in Iowa]

I have received a bunch of very helpful advice here.

Just trying to spread the wealth and glad I could do it.

[Joe Gopan]

I would like to find a GI. Coal Bag.

[HankII]

Ben Dover » Sun Dec 16, 2018 3:11 am
I would like to find a GI. Coal Bag.

So you can send someone a bag of coal for Christmas...?...

[Joe Gopan]

Right on!

[rondo]

You silly people its not a military GI bag. it's a 1950s grocery bag, completely recyclable for those who greenies who got tired of bakelight wallmart bags choking all the poor fish in the ocean

[Falldownjaeger]

Somebody have dims on that bag? It in polyurethane coated 1000d USMC Coyote Tan498 (aka 1910-1944 OD#3 ), US Army Tan499 (aka 1910-1940 OD#2 ) or OG107, would make a nice green-friendly Trader Joes grocery bag/emergency bail bucket

[Falldownjaeger]

By the way, seems the Coal Bag was hip in 2010, these white 16oz Cotton Duck versions at $140 each
https://www.acontinuouslean.com/2010/07 ... coal-bags/

There is also a Bag, Coal, 2 Bushel, about 24" x 38" similar to a dufflebag.