Show us your Vintage Rucksacks!

BlueTrain · May 2, 2017

That rucksack from GJ Nord looks to be an original WWII German alpine infantry rucksack.

Heeresbergführer · May 14, 2017

BlueTrain said:
That rucksack from GJ Nord looks to be an original WWII German alpine infantry rucksack.

Yes it is! A very nice looking one. Good rucksacks.

Bergheil und Horrido!

Patrick

greatestescaper · May 25, 2017

Great looking gear here. After getting home from a trip this weekend, while unpacking, I got to wondering about rucksack storage. Do y'all just leave 'em in a closet? Do you display them? I had the idea of fixing a bracket or pegs or something to hang them on the wall in the front hall, on display and always at the ready. That's mostly because right now while our little one sleeps in the same room as my wife and I our camping gear is mostly piled in his soon-to-be-bedroom and I can't figure another place in the house and the outside storage has proved difficult to protect against mice (I need a pellet gun but that's a whole other thread I reckon). Well that, and there's an empty corner in the hall that needs filling, but up until now I couldn't think of a good use of the space. Anyhow, if anyone has come up with some good display ideas, I would be keen to see them. Oh, and I'll be sure and add a photo or two of my rucksack as well.

BlueTrain · May 25, 2017

I've actually acquired not one, but two, old rucksacks in the last month. I think I have about a dozen of all shapes and sizes. I use them all, too, although there's only one I'd want to use on an overnight cool-weather trip. I surprising number actually fit in one large box. The rest are tastefully piled on the basement floor where I load and unload them when they're being used. I made an effort to use them all in rotation, although most are larger than needed for most outings.

There are places in the house where mice will chew on things. Probably a large plastic storage bin would be a good idea. But tents and sleeping bags actually need more careful storage.

We have two children who have both left home but we don't have an empty nest by any means. I tell her that when we move, we should find a place with a barn.

greatestescaper · May 25, 2017

For in the house we have a cat who is a fantastic mouser, but out of an effort at conservation only the dog is outside, and even that with some supervision. And recently I started carrying my Indiana Jones satchel for water, gloves, flashlight, and a small first aid kit when we're out and about so it's been hanging on my hat rack which sort of inspired the idea of displaying the rest or at least a portion of my gear. Especially the grab and go sort of things, rucksack, rope, and the like.

Here a some photos I snapped this morning after sunrise of my pack:

BlueTrain · May 25, 2017

I have two of those rucksacks and one of them is made of nylon, the other canvas, just like that one.

moehawk · Feb 2, 2018

Hey all!
Vision issues forced me into being a permanent pedestrian several years ago. Tried a few different backpacks to solve the problem of what to do with all the stuff I used to throw in the passenger seat, but all of them either bounced on my back too much, or else made my whole back wet with sweat after a short distance. Finally switched to a messenger bag. But today, I finally found a backpack I like!
This Swiss Army pack is super comfortable, well built and looks great. Don't know how old, but looks like it has about 100 years of hard use left in it.

The gentleman working at the thrift store who processed it called it a salt and pepper finish.
Any info on age or maker would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Powered by happy thoughts

AbbaDatDeHat · Feb 2, 2018

moehawk said:
Hey all!
Vision issues forced me into being a permanent pedestrian several years ago. Tried a few different backpacks to solve the problem of what to do with all the stuff I used to throw in the passenger seat, but all of them either bounced on my back too much, or else made my whole back wet with sweat after a short distance. Finally switched to a messenger bag. But today, I finally found a backpack I like!
This Swiss Army pack is super comfortable, well built and looks great. Don't know how old, but looks like it has about 100 years of hard use left in it.

The gentleman working at the thrift store who processed it called it a salt and pepper finish.
Any info on age or maker would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Powered by happy thoughts

Greetings All:
Hardcore Moe!! Having humped some real pieces of issued s**t, packed to the gills, back in the day, i can tell by looking that one is very well designed. That bottom waist strap makes all the diff. I heard the Swiss make good watches too! Ha
Be well. Bowen

moehawk · Feb 2, 2018

AbbaDatDeHat said:
Greetings All:
Hardcore Moe!! Having humped some real pieces of issued s**t, packed to the gills, back in the day, i can tell by looking that one is very well designed. That bottom waist strap makes all the diff. I heard the Swiss make good watches too! Ha
Be well. Bowen

Thanks Bowen!
Yeah, the waist strap is what makes it so nice. It stops the bouncing, holds it off my back far enough to keep from sweating excessiv ely, and seems to work as lumbar support too. Certainly well thought out. Gotta like the Swiss for that.
Concerning other products from there, I'm more into Swiss cheese. Can't afford the watches!

scotrace · Feb 2, 2018

I'd like to know more about that one, as well. Nice!

moehawk · Feb 2, 2018

scotrace said:
I'd like to know more about that one, as well. Nice!

Thanks!
So far, all I've found out is that they are highly regarded for quality and function and go for about double what I paid...

Any other info comes up I'll post it.

scotrace · Feb 2, 2018

Does that say "Leschmann?"

moehawk · Feb 3, 2018

scotrace said:
Does that say "Leschmann?"

I think it's H. Eschmann.
And could that 64 be the year? That would be too easy.

Selous · Oct 8, 2018

WW2 vintage Swedish pack 1942.
Sorry double post from previous page.

Dm101 · Jan 17, 2019

My old Alice pack.
Built in 1988, issued to me in 1990, my dearest backpacking buddy to this day.

Sent from my LG-M210 using Tapatalk

Yahoody · Sep 5, 2020

Some more "vintage" than others

Late '60's Millet, photo from '72

Mid '70s Rivendale Jenson. '75

Late '70s Choiunard

1981 Wild Things

Correus · Sep 7, 2020

Dm101 said:
My old Alice pack.
Built in 1988, issued to me in 1990, my dearest backpacking buddy to this day.

Sent from my LG-M210 using Tapatalk

I still have, and use, mine as well!!!

Correus · Sep 7, 2020

Not exactly a 'rucksack', but similar.

I'm always on the lookout for interesting, vintage military/expedition gear to add to Grover's kit. Picked up these Polish military bread bags for just $5 each. At that price I was expecting something kinda sorta made of cheap material, not well made and heavily used; man was I surprised!! These are made of very durable, and thick, canvas and webbing, and weigh more than expected. The metal bits-n-pieces are well made and hefty as well. Best part - unissued!! Each one has several pockets with plenty of room for all sorts of things.

Ernest P Shackleton · Aug 11, 2023

GERMAN IMP. MOUNTAIN RUCKSACK (LEATHER STRAPS) - OD - MILTEC

30 LTR Imp. by Miltec.

www.militarysurplusworld.com

Boiling up an old thread. This pack has already been mentioned a couple times in this thread.

1) Does anyone know of an online surplus store with used/vintage models of this pack? I know they used to be very common.

2) what is the official name for this pack? As you can see from the link, they call it a Mountain Rucksack, but I've seen it called a few other things. German Army Rucksack is another one. I wondered if it had an official name to make it easier to research. Does it have a more specific name?

3) if you know of a surplus/militaria blog where they reviewed and/or discussed this particular pack, please share the link. I'd like to know more about what years it was used, when it was introduced, who used it, etc.

or would I be more successful asking in this thread? https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/show-us-your-militaria.57087/

Correus · Aug 12, 2023

Recently acquired at a local action, a vintage Boy Scouts Yucca pack. From what I know, it's probably from the 1960s, but it's still in really great shape. I was able to find the owner's name and his Troop number and city, but I'm not finding any information on the Troop. I've even checked the roster of defunct Councils and Troops, but it's not listed. This pack will definitely end up as part of Land Rover's adventure kit.

Show us your Vintage Rucksacks!

Call Me a Cab

Familiar Face

One of the Regulars

Call Me a Cab

One of the Regulars

Call Me a Cab

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

Head Bartender

I'll Lock Up

Head Bartender

I'll Lock Up

New in Town

A-List Customer

One Too Many

Familiar Face

Familiar Face

One Too Many

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