Belgian Chauchat Gunner Backpack
Original Belgian Chauchat gunner or assistant gunner backpack. Based on the British Mills equipment, this backpack was made specifically for the Belgian Chauchat machine gun and its curved magazines. These backpacks were produced in small numbers in the late 1920s. At the outbreak of the war, they were still in limited use with certain combat units, though they were more commonly found in training and reinforcement regiments.
Aside from the two missing small carrying straps and the large copper buckles on the main straps, the backpack remains in good and largely complete condition, showing signs of age and use. Some of the leather has become brittle and fragile over time, particularly the two leather straps on the sides of the backpack. One of which is partially ripped in two.
A unique and rare piece of Belgian equipment!