M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment - Complementary Equipment

Complementary Equipment

Other elements of individual equipment, while not part of the M1956 system, were often used in conjunction. These include:

• Bayonet - M1942, M4, M5 M6, or M7
• Packboard - A molded plywood frame with canvas back pad, shoulder straps and lashing cord.
• M1951 Mountain Rucksack - A cotton duck and leather pack with aluminum frame for extended loads.
• Lightweight Rucksack - A nylon pack with frame replacing the M1951 Mountain Rucksack in 1963.
• Tropical Rucksack - A similar but larger pack, augmenting and replacing some Lightweight Rucksacks in 1967.
• ARVN Rucksack - A canvas pack used by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and some US troops during the Vietnam War.
• PRC-25 Radio Carrier - A canvas back-mounted carrier with integral metal frame and straps for carrying manpack radios.
• Radio Accessory Case - A roughly rectangular canvas bag with slide keepers, for spare antenna and handset.
• XM3 Bipod Carrying Case - A rectangular canvas pouch with slide keepers about one and a half feet long with top closure.
• Small Arms Accessory Case - Rubberized nylon pouch about 6 by 3 inches, for cleaning accessories.
• M1916 Holster - A black (at this time) leather holster with wire hanger, for the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol.
• M1912/M1918/M1923 Pistol Magazine Pocket - Two-cell pocket for 7-round .45 pistol magazine, attached by web belt loop. Produced in drab, light Olive Drab shade 3, and Olive Drab shade 7.
• P1956 Pistol Magazine Pocket - Neary identical to the M1923 in Olive Drab shade 7, but with two metal slide keepers on the reverse for attachment to a belt.