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Rucksack: vintage or 'new' WPG Bergans?

Speedster

Practically Family
Messages
876
Location
60 km west of København
Looking for a daypack, like this Norwegian one:

loadcarry_norgee_pack.jpg


or the small Swiss s/p sack or similar.
 

BellyTank

I'll Lock Up
For Pipvh and H.Johnson

pipvh said:
Speaking for myself, this one:

cbaker8702_2095_129764880


But there are a lot of very similar packs out there right now.


The French have the word "Bergam"... a Bergen/Bergan's style rucksack and looking at
that old Bergan's catalogue, it now explains WHY the French have a "Bergam".
The catalogue shows and describes a mixture of Norwegian
and French troops using the Beragan style rucksack.
So there is some long history of French Alpine troops using that rucksack-
-hence "Bergam".


B
T
 

Djupis

One of the Regulars
Messages
139
Location
London, UK
cbaker8702_2095_129764880


This one brings back a lot of (not so fond) memories from the military. All of the worst exercises we had were spent wearing sandfilled rucksacks like that on the back.
 

Speedbird

A-List Customer
Messages
359
Location
London, UK
US Mountain Troop pack

I am on the hunt for a US MT pack like the one Trotsky posted in the Adventure gear thread... circa 1942/3 would be ideal. Any suggestions?

Also US MT boots .... is WPG the only option?

Thanks
Speedy
 

pipvh

Practically Family
Messages
644
Location
England
I am on the hunt for a US MT pack like the one Trotsky posted in the Adventure gear thread... circa 1942/3 would be ideal. Any suggestions?

There were a couple on ebay recently - might still be. And one on ebay Germany as well.
 

BellyTank

I'll Lock Up
Ooh... oohh...

Speaking of vintage Rucksacks-

I know I'm a Rucksack Anorak but anyway...

My "latest" (maybe one of my earliest...) rucksack is here-
I collected it today.

It's a "Tauern Sack" DRP(Deutsches Reichspatent), which could point to it being of '30s manufacture (I like '30s Rucksacks and being able to date it is nice)but I don't know when and if they would have changed to using a DBP(Deutsches Bundes Patent). So, it could be of the era, or who knows...

This rucksack is in mint condition, all the canvas and leather is perfect.
It is the type of rucksack which is "like" a frame rucksack but not quite-
it uses a stiffener in the back of the bag and a webbing "back suspension",
in an "A" form, as a back rest- spreading the load and keeping the bag off your back. Part of this suspension, of course, is an integral rear waist-rest.
Maybe it's like the WW2 German A-frame pack system.

The sack is medium/dark olive green canvas, shoulder straps and closures are black leather, with white stitching.
Shoulder straps have a felt inner side. Has the usual caribiner clip on one strap mounting for quick-release.

It is a "Bergan's" style, with a large sack, horizontal back pouch, 2 side pouches and a double strap closure for the bag flap. Bigger than I thought- maybe 40ltr. Very comfortable indeed.
Seems to be approved by the DSV (Deutscher Skiverband, I guess).

Here you go, see for yerself:

Tauern_Sack_1.jpg


Tauern_Sack_2.jpg


Tauern_Sack_3.jpg


Tauern_Sack_4.jpg


Tauern_Sack_5.jpg


Tauern_Sack_6.jpg


Tauern_Sack_7.jpg



I like it-


B
T
 

pipvh

Practically Family
Messages
644
Location
England
Nice one. If it really is from the '30s it's in amazing nick. Is the back system like that on the Swiss Army salt & pepper sack?
 

BellyTank

I'll Lock Up
Hi, Pip.
Not sure about the Swiss set-up.
I've seen these Tauern Sacks being touted as '30s, all over ebay.de
It didn't really dawn on me that it COULD be from the '30s until I realised what the "DRP" was. Yes, it's in great nick.

Maybe the DRP could be a red herring as to era but I see folks dating German zip/pers by DRP vs DBP.
Probably less meaningful in that scenario.

Where is/are your/s..?


B
T
 

pipvh

Practically Family
Messages
644
Location
England
Mine's on the way. I'll post some pictures when it arrives.

And I'd better answer the question I originally posted: there's an original Bergans heading in my direction. I'm guessing 1950s vintage. It looks like the civilian version of the Norwegian army sack (which in any case was made by Bergans). Should be an interesting restoration project, and hopefully a faithful walking companion...
 

pipvh

Practically Family
Messages
644
Location
England
BT,

According to the Deuter website - http://www.deutergb.co.uk/about-deuter/ - Tauern rucksacks were used on the 1938 ascent of the North Face of the Eiger, which means that Heinrich Harrer might have worn one. Which brings us back to an ancient FL quest. You might not have Brad Pitt's anorak, but you might have Heinrich Harrer's rucksack.

PS: The Tauern apparently got its first big outing on the 1934 Nanga Parbat expedition, which might not, on reflection, be a particularly good advertisement...
 

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