The Desert camouflage version of the grab bag was a popular piece of ancillary load bearing equipment and we looked at an example here. As with many items of equipment, when the new MTP camouflage was introduced an updated version of the grab bag was issued in the new pattern:
This bag is identical to the DDPM version and features the same external pouches. We have one large single pouch for a smoke grenade:
Two smaller pouches for fragmentation grenades:
And three pouches across the front for rifle magazines:
Each of these opens up to allow access to the interior, a piece of elastic helps hold the magazines in place until ready to be withdrawn:
The lid of the pouch features a velcroed easy access flap, the opening being surrounded by elastic to ensure it is easy to access the contents of the bag but there is no danger of anything falling out:
This particular bag has been issued and the original owner has written his name and number on the underside of this elastic portion:
The shoulder strap has a seperate MTP slider on it:
This has a rough fabric finish on the inside to prevent the bag from slipping as easily from the wearer’s shoulder:
A standard label is sewn into the inside, with a different NSN number compared to the DPM version:
One user of the grab bag says:
I think the idea behind it being a grab bag is that you grab it an scarper.
It hold 9 mags which with the 6 or so you carry on your osprey, that’s your OP ammo sorted. Not many people wear vests over Osprey, just a few pouches for bullets on the front. A daysack with the grab bag under the lid = pouches to keep the ammo in one place. If you’re down 6/7 mags, you’re in the poopoo anyway. And maps, water, GPS, Leatherman NVG can all be stashed in there no dramas.
