First Backpack used in the Bundeswehr

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

Last night I was the successful bidder on the first model backpack used in the Bundeswehr. At least Schuster calls it the first one used. He also says that it can be used in a similar fashion to the WWII Wehrmach back pack. Since I don't have this back pack, or should we call it a pack frame, in my hands yet I assume that he means that it can be used as a load bearing device because of the folding shelf at the bottom. Schuster has a picture of this backpack on page 238 of his book. The metal support for the BW backpack is not as noticeable as that on the Wehrmacht one but you can see the flat metal straps, that give the backpack its shape, in the righthand picture.
Without further ado, here are two pictures of the backpack which I hope to receive shortly.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

For comparison purposes, here is a picture of one of the many styles of rigid backpacks used by the Wehrmacht. This backpack is from my collection. The box on the backpack is for rifle ammunition and is of WWII vintage.

[Gordon Craig]

A picture from the Fallschirnjaeger-Fibel, 2- by Major Heinz Volz. There are some alternate ways of carrying equipment pictured in Schuster's book.

[Asbjoern]

Gordon, congratulations to your successful purchase !

If I remember correct Michael Wijnand and Hoover posted pictures of a reconstructed backpack ...

...and in one of the old BW publications (Unser Heer) you`ll find pictures of the great rucksack attached to this A frame ...

Regards,

Jens

[hoover]

I have two earle Rucksack mit Tragegestell, one from 1956 and one from 1960.

I will take some pics this eventing. Very interesting differences...

[Gordon Craig]

Jens,

Thanks for the reminder about the reconstructed backpacks. I'd forgotten about that.

Hoover,

Looking forward to seeing the pictures showing the differences in the two backpacks.
Always something new to learn!

Regards,

Gordon

[Bergmann]

Ive seen a few of these ( Frames) lately..A local store has one for 29$. I been considering picking it


Found this on the net..I'm not sure how accurate it is for reference as in hanging a ruck on it..

[Gordon Craig]

Bergmann,

I think wearing the backpack this way would be very uncomfortable. The metal straps would be against your back. If you look at the pictures of the backpack that I posted the shelf for supporting the equipment is on the same side as the bare metal straps. The side that would go against the back would be the web strap side. I don't think that this is a viable option.

Regards,

Gordon

[Bergmann]

Perhaps. The variables are vast..You should see what I use here in Alaska in the mnts. Ive learned that some of the modern items marketed and issued today are simply someone trying to reinvent the wheel to make money. I prefer the old ways and older style kit..

Bergmann..

[Simon87]

Bergmann,

I think wearing the backpack this way would be very uncomfortable. The metal straps would be against your back. If you look at the pictures of the backpack that I posted the shelf for supporting the equipment is on the same side as the bare metal straps. The side that would go against the back would be the web strap side. I don't think that this is a viable option.

Regards,

Gordon

Hello Gordon,
wearing this backpack is extremly uncomfortable. I did it last year on a 100km march at the Müritz region, my back was wound. Painful.....

Greetings,
Simon

[Gordon Craig]

Simon,

Thanks for your comments. Interesting to hear first hand how it felt to wear this pack over a long distance.

Regards,

Gordon

[Collectinsteve]

Interesting thread!

I agree with Gordon's guess and Simon's sore back I have a WW2 Swiss Army carrier that I use for carrying wood cutting tools into the forest. I never have to go more than a KM or so, therefore it's not too bad. But one time I had to hike a couple of KM, in several round trips, and was quite glad when I was done.

Contrast this with a more recent Swiss Army carrier (1980s?). It has wide padded straps for shoulders, lower back, and hips (with a belt in front). The carrying "shelf" can be adjusted up/down to optimize the weight load relative to shoulders/hips.

Let's just say I like the new carrier a lot better than the old one

Steve

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

Some comments to add here. On a more recent thread it was mentioned that the backpack straps were very short. I found that they were so short that the pack itself was difficult to get on and off. Here are some pictures of the pack on one of my mannequins. The straps barely go over the shoulders.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

Something else to point out. The right hand strap has a "quick release" clip to help you get out of the pack quickly if you need. This facility does not appear on any WWII German backpack that I have seen but is common in post WWII armies. The picture below illustrates this "quick release" clip. The problem associated with using this "quick release" clip is the short length of the straps. When in wear, the clip is behaind the wearer and the wearer would have real difficulty in actually operating the clip.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

Some pictures of the loaded backpack in wear from Kunstwadl's book.