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Show us your Vintage Rucksacks!

Sunny

One Too Many
Messages
1,409
Location
DFW
BellyTank said:
There are postwar, Austrian, West German Army and Police rucksacks which are similar, plentiful, cheap and often NOS. Swedish rucksacks are cheap too-

And the Czech rucksacks you can find on eBay and in many Surplus stores,
are very close, virtually identical to Afrika Korps rucksacks(apart from the straps).


B
T

Yes, a surplus store in Fort Worth has a slew of all kinds of packs. The variety is dizzying, and they're really quite cheap.
 

skbellis

One of the Regulars
Messages
207
Location
DeKalb, IL
Waxed Cotton Continental Rucksack

I agree with all of the discussions in regards to the surplus backpack/rucksacks; if you find one you like the quality and style is usually top notch. Even though I own several surplus rucksacks I also have the Waxed Cotton Continental Rucksack from LL Bean ( http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...langId=-1&categoryId=54122&sc1=Search&feat=sr ) which I have been quite happy with. The synthetic-shearling shoulder straps seem a little odd to me, but maybe not to others.

Good luck on your quest, I know I am on a constant search for the perfect piece of luggage.

Cheers,

Scott
 

Mike K.

One Too Many
Messages
1,479
Location
Southwest Florida
Doug,

Search this same forum for 'rucksack'. I'm certain there were a number of threads, and I know there were a number of posts on the Adventurer's Gear thread...that is unless they got erased in the Great Fedora Lounge Server Meltdown of '08. :eek:

If I recall from an earlier post, stay away from the Kakadu Traders stuff. Apparently it isn't made very well and isn't very durable. But perhaps that was just the clothing. [huh]

skbellis is right on about the L. L. Bean canvas rucksack. It is a great pack and I own one too. While I don't have an issue with the shoulder straps, I do have a problem with the synthetic mesh back panel. The modern comfort is nice, but it just detracts from the vintage aesthetics of the waxed cotton.
248833_140_41.jpg


Another simple option that many have gone with is the good ol' Boy Scout Yucca Pack. Search eBay for scout pack, scout rucksack, yucca pack, etc. and you're bound to find a lot.
0551_1.jpg
22e9_1.jpg
 

BellyTank

I'll Lock Up
As Creeping Past mentioned, Schipperfabrik, the WW1 specialist reenactor suttler, have a couple of likely candidates.
The WW1 German canvas Rucksack is a good one- just a soft Rucksack with simple leather straps- can't really get more vintage than that.

http://www.schipperfabrik.com/ger_gear.html
...scroll down

It's $64.95, maybe more than you want to spend but it's reproduced authentically, US made, in low volume, not from used military stocks.


B
T
 

Creeping Past

One Too Many
Messages
1,567
Location
England
BellyTank said:
Schipperfabrik ... WW1 German canvas Rucksack

I should have posted that info. Also should have said that I use one of these regularly for hiking and everyday stuff. It's holding up very well to repeated use and looks like it'll just keep on going...
 

mtechthang

One of the Regulars
Messages
184
Location
Idaho
Yeah. Painful ones!!

shortbow said:
Man, does that Scout pack bring back memories....:)

It does and my back hurts just thinking about it (another time I'll stick with a modern pack). But someone mentioned the salt-and-pepper Swiss rucksack. A google search turned up:
http://west.loadup.com/military/surplus/1600.html
Larger size was in stock-
http://west.loadup.com/military/surplus/410.html
I don't know the company but they had a lot of "era" packs, rucksacks, etc. Many surplus/used.
 

Doug C

Practically Family
Messages
729
Thanks for all the great info guy! BT - I especially like that WWI canvas pack, I prefer the WWII German one instead, wish someone reproduced that one..but if they don't, they don't. As for the LLBean and salt/pepper Swiss - they are a little too "structured" and big for what I want. I have a Swiss canvas military one already (olive drab) but it's big enough for much more gear than what I'm thinking of.

Doug C
 

bigshoe

One of the Regulars
Messages
192
Location
Laramie Wyoming
I have both the canvas ruck and the cowhide tornister from Schipper. both are well built and comfortable. They are desgined to ride higher then many are used to since most of the gear was worn on the belt..
Tom
 

Mojave Jack

One Too Many
Messages
1,785
Location
Yucca Valley, California
I've been considering a couple products from Schipperfabrik for some time, including their French Mle 1935 sac superieur

fr_m35pack_frnt.jpg


and their French musette bag

fr_musette.jpg


Your positive review is encouraging, bigshoe. Can you post some pics and provide a few more details? They look like really quality products, but it appears that the musette bag has been discontinued. I guess if I still want the sac superieur I'd better hurry!
 

Mojave Jack

One Too Many
Messages
1,785
Location
Yucca Valley, California
BellyTank said:
I just missed out on an original "sac superieur" a couple of weeks back.
Might have to get a repro.


B
T
It looks like a good, functional pack, but the details on the site are sparse. Ir looks to be just a single, giant pocket, which I dislike, but the leather and canvas are beautiful. I asked them for additional pics, and they said "Sure!" but then I never got any pics. Do you have any good pics of the original?
 

Dudleydoright

A-List Customer
Messages
408
Location
UK
Karrimor canvas rucksack. 1960's ??

Can't date this one but it's been in my loft for a few years. Brand new, never used.

DSC03970.jpg


DSC03966.jpg


DSC03964.jpg


DSC03969.jpg


Cheers,
DDR
 

Mojave Jack

One Too Many
Messages
1,785
Location
Yucca Valley, California
JeffOYB said:
Long time!

Say, has anyone seen the fairly recent Treat Williams version of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" movie? Lots of vintage-style rucksacks and shoulderbags and such in this one. ...I wonder what they were using. Any product ID's out there for this movie?
Good question! I saw those on the previews and was thinking the same thing. Glad you reminded me of that, Jeff.

Speaking of, I need to add that to my NetFlix, too. Was it any good?
 

scotrace

Head Bartender
Staff member
Messages
14,392
Location
Small Town Ohio, USA
They don't have online shopping, but the JL (Stands for "Just Ludicrous" prices) Powell catalog has vintage military surplus packs - "only 100 available," for $189. Wooooo.....
 

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