M36 COMBAT SUSPENDERS

These suspenders were part an alternative load bearing system designed to improve upon the venerable M1928 haversack which was little changed from its M1910 predecessor. The suspenders were an integral part of the old haversack which meant when a soldier dropped the pack he lost his suspenders too. The M1936 suspenders with their detachable field bag (musette bag) allowed more versatility. The soldier could fight without his pack and still have the suspenders to support the weight of his cartridge belt, canteen, bayonet, entrenching tool, etc. The detachable field bag also made it easier to ride in vehicles since it could be easily detached and hooked outside leaving more room inside.

The suspenders are made of cotton webbing and have no integral padding in the shoulders. The color varies from khaki to light green but not nearly so dark as OD #7. There are metal hook clips on the bottoms of each of six adjustable straps. The front pair and rear pair of straps attach to the top of the cartridge or web belt. The middle set of straps are for securing the bottom of a M1936 field bag, when it is worn. The integral top straps of this bag are hooked to the D rings at the front of the shoulders on the suspenders. Once the bag is attached, the middle straps of the suspenders are brought under the arms to hook to the D rings on the bottom corners of the field bag. The middle straps are then shortened or lengthened until they get the weight of the bag resting on the shoulders. When a field bag is not being carried these straps are hooked to the top of the belt.