Show us your Vintage Rucksacks!

[Sunny]

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]

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.]

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.

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.

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.

 

[Feraud]

Sportsman's Guide might carry what you are looking for in their military surplus section.

 

[shortbow]

Man, does that Scout pack bring back memories....

 

[Serial Hero]

I have to second (or third) the LL Bean pack. I too own one and would recomend it to anyone.

 

[Mojave Jack]

I like it, but what's with the stencilling? Stencilling is getting to be the new "red star sewn onto things."

-Dave

Agreed! I like the look of that pack, but not the silly stenciling.

LL Bean has a new offering, though. I'm thinking about this one.

Sportsman's Rucksack

 

[Brinybay]

You might want to take a look at these also:

Fatigues Army-Navy & Surplus Gear Co.

 

[BellyTank]

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]

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]

Yeah. Painful ones!!

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]

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]

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]

I've been considering a couple products from Schipperfabrik for some time, including their French Mle 1935 sac superieur

and their French musette bag

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!

 

[BellyTank]

I just missed out on an original "sac superieur" a couple of weeks back.
Might have to get a repro.


B
T

 

[Mojave Jack]

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?

 

[BellyTank]

Doug C- have a look at this thread!!!

This is the Rucksack thread.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=18459



B
T

 

[Dudleydoright]

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.

Cheers,
DDR

 

[Mojave Jack]

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]

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.....