Wireless Set No. 52 Canadian - Project

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Chris Suslowicz

There may be more than that! I have a hazy memory of multiple manufacturers, each with their own variation of markings, but I can't remember which ones I have in the collection. There was certainly Jelco, but also ZL&T (Zephyr Loom & Tool) and MSU (Montreal Suspender & Umbrella), plus various manufacturers in the USA (for Lend-Lease, probably all for WS19 & WS48 issue).

The actual "Satchel, Signals" was a range of at_least_ 12 distinct types for different purposes (I don't have all of them, and one is a mystery at present).

Satchel, Signals
____ - ZA.6292
No.1 - ZA.11947
No.1T - ZA.27294 (green or khaki)
No.2 - ZA.13347 (Shoulder strap stitched to bag at one end)
No.2 Mk.2 - ZA.21324 (Detachable shoulder strap, 'L' strap fittings)
No.2 Mk.2/1 - ZA.29367 (Tropicalized version of ZA.21324)
No.3 - ZA.14869 (Wireless Set No.46 backpack - without harness, etc.)
No.4 -
No.5 - ZA.22756 (For Detector, Mine [Polish] No.3)
No.6 - ZA.24242 (for Detector, Mine, No.4 or 4A)
No.7 - ZA.24805 (For Charging Set, Pedal Driven, 60 Watt - ancillaries)
No.8 - ZA.24907
No.9 -
No.10 - ZA.26516 (For Wireless Set No.38 Mk.3)
No.11 -
No.12 - ZA.29004 (For Detector, Mine, No.6A)

The original "Satchel, Signals" replaced the leather "Bags, Telephone Receiver" and "Cases, Message Book, Mk.IV" sometime prior to 1940. It soldiered on (Sorry!) until the 1970s, I think, going from khaki to "44 pattern light green", to "58 pattern dark green" and being renamed "Haversacks No.1", and there may have been a nylon/polyester version later on.

The US and Canadian versions were a much thinner/lighter material, rather then the British '37 pattern cotton canvas used for web equipment.

Best regards,
Chris. (Still wondering what No.8 was intended for, it's small, zippered, and has a DMC/VAOS section of Z5 which is "Bomb and Mine Disposal Equipment" AFAIK.) I'm still looking for info/examples of Nos. 4 (mine detector backpack with a large cable entry hole on the bottom), 9 & 11.

Adding to the list. There were also numerous Australian ( and N.Z ) made satchels ....