Rucksack: vintage or 'new' WPG Bergans?

[Speedster]

Looking for a daypack, like this Norwegian one:

or the small Swiss s/p sack or similar.

 

[BellyTank]

For Pipvh and H.Johnson

Speaking for myself, this one:

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".


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[H.Johnson]

Mais oui, mon brave. French Chasseurs Alpine were deployed to the defence of Norway in 1940.

 

[BellyTank]

And some of those catalogue photos are, I think from '20s-ish*/pre-War.


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[Djupis]

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]

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]

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]

Pip- get your Lafuma yet?
Someone did.

I have a couple of "new" rucksacks to pick up.
One is particularly excellent.
You'll see.


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[pipvh]

Pip- get your Lafuma yet?

No, I'm waiting to pounce. Meanwhile, I saw a nice one in Covent Garden but it was hilariously expensive.

 

[BellyTank]

£££...fnar..fnar...£££

Hilarious funny, or hilarious strange..?


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[pipvh]

£120 worth of hilarity.

 

[BellyTank]

Brrr...
Funny... scary


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[BellyTank]

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:

I like it-


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[pipvh]

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]

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..?


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[pipvh]

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...

 

[BellyTank]

Is the vintage Bergan's one von Austria?


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[pipvh]

Nein, von Stafford.

 

[pipvh]

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...

 

[BellyTank]

Yes, I saw that, thanks.

I guess there wouldn't have been so many civilian rucksacks made by
Deuter after 1939-ish. So, if the DRP thing holds, it's tentatively between '34 and '38*.
We'll see what else turns up.


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