Original World War Two British Medic Shoulder Bag Marked Shell Dressing by M&Co dated 1942 with Three Original Shell Dressings included!
Original British WWII Pattern 1937 (P-37) Medic's Shoulder Bag. The bag measures about 12"W x 10"W x 3", though as it is flattened it is hard to get an accurate measurement. It is made of the correct P-37 Khaki Canvas, and uses the standard strap through buckle closure for the lid, one strap is missing part of it. The shoulder strap is made of somewhat finer canvas.
The front of the bag has a very nice painted "Red Cross" medic emblem, and the lid is originally marked SHELL DRESSINGS, indicating the type of items stored in the bag. Field medics had to carry various different types of field dressings, depending on the type of wound. Lots of gauze was definitely a requirement.
This bag also includes three randomly chosen Large size British Royal Navy or Army Issued Shell Dressing. All of these Dressing’s are war-time dated. Coloration and Manufacturers vary. Some may have a safety-pin on outer wrapping. Shell dressings are a type of bandage with a gauze pad and a safety pin for fastening around the site of the injury. Introduced in 1916, dressings were issued to personnel in the Royal Army Medical Corps. The bandages were protected in a waterproof covering which, in turn, was wrapped in a cotton package. On this outer layer were instructions as well as a makers mark and date of manufacture. By the Second World War, shell dressings were made in many parts of the British Empire. Additional dressings can be purchased separately on our website as well!
