Modified M-17 Bag for use as a shoulder or possibles bag.
Use a razor to cut away the straps and buckles. Lighty cut the threads that were sewn, rather than cutting the fabric. The image below shows the extra pieces left over. Included is the razor and polyester thread
Here is the bag with the staps sewn in place. The strap and d-ring will need to be cut from the bag. After cutting trim the ends so they are straight and heat with a lighter to keep the ends from fraying.
The next two photos are a close up of the straps sewn in place. You will need to use polyester thread not cotton. Sew a box with an 'x' inside for strength. You will need to snap the top closed, to position the ends before sewing to avoid having them get in the way when snapping the bag closed. Use a saftey pin to keep them in place while stiching.
The bottom of the bag has a small pocket that closes with two snaps. You can slide a small plastic sandwhich bag filled with band-aides or any other flat objects.
The second pocket is a bit bigger. You can fit a small folding stove inside. The pocket is as wide as two decks of cards.
You can also fit some bars of trioxane in with the stove.
The bag is now accessible from the top while being worn on the shoulder
You can easily make a pocket to hold a map, knife or muzzle loading supplies.
Turn the bag inside out. Use the side that does not have the snap posts. It only has two rows of stitching to remove
Cut the thread from the following areas
Cut from 1 to 2 carefully removing the stiching on the top part only. After the thread is removed you will need to stitch two 'anchor' points at the 1 and 2 locations so the rest of the seam does not come undone.
Cut the thread going across the center (between 3 and 4) and be sure to leave the stitching from 3 to 1 and 4 to 2 intact. This way you can use the exsisting side stiching of the pocket. (The less sewing the better). You may need another 'anchor' stitch at 3 and 4 to keep the seam from coming undone.
At the top of the pocket sew along the already folded seam. Two rows of stitches will make a sturdy pocket 'lip' and stop it from fraying
As you cut the thread and remove the plastic inserts, Don't throw them away as they have some uses. You can use the big one as a small cutting board or whatever else you can think of using them for.
Save those plastic inserts for future use. The large piece can be used as a small lightweight cutting board.
If you found this page doing a search and would like to know where to get a bag. Click on the arrow and goto the link page. I buy all my surplus from Wardens. Great service with the lowest prices around.
