The Pack:
This is the m1939 rucksack, and as the name implies, it was first issued in 1939.
History:
As i said, the pack was issued in the year 1939, which was a busy year for the Swedish army. Because they didn't just issue a new pack to their troops, they issued a whole new uniform system which this pack is a part of.
I have two of these.
The one in the picture is of a model produced somewhere between 1943-1945. (there is no stamp of the production year, but an imprint into the leather with 3 crowns, meaning that the pack was made in the years 1943-45)
I have an older model which i suspect might be from 1939. It's not in good condition, but i'll probably have fun with the restoration.
So whats it like:
This is an external frame pack, made with steel pipes, with leather shoulder straps, leather back-rest, leather hip-belt.
Pretty much everything on this pack is either, steel or cotton.
The leather shoulder straps are really comfortable, and can be adjusted for height at the bottom of the pack, and at the middle of the straps. The most amazing thing is that the only thing wrong with the pack is that it smelled a little musty, probably because of years of storage, but besides that, everything on it seems like it's completely new! And when you keep in mind that this pack was produced as far back as 1943, that's pretty amazing. The leather is still lovely, i just gave it some oil and was like new.
The pack itself is around 35-40 liters and has no side pockets, it's a no nonsense rucksack, with almost no extra features, it's not for showing of, its for carrying stuff.
The leather backrest makes a good way to protect your back from the steel frame. The only trouble is that the frame was designed in such a way that they bend inward, just at the place where you have something called shoulder blades. I think i see what the designers tried to do, and that is to avoid exactly the problem i just mentioned, but it might just be a personal problem, since that i am not the wide across my back.
But if you put on a jacket or a thick shirt you won't notice the frame, and since, where i come from, its always cold anyway, it's not going to be a problem.
In addition, the thing that's the best about this pack is that it looks so freaking cool. And don't be surprised if people start following around when you walk around the forests in your woolen pants, red and black lumberjack shirt, leather boots and with your kick-ass Pack on your back!
Details?
Don't let the pack deceive you, it has plenty of features that you are going to be pleased with.
First of, as i mentioned before, it has no side pockets, "Then how will i bring my axe then???" don't worry the Swedish got you covered:
Straps on one side of the pack makes you bring along your e-tool or axe, piece of cake. A really nice feature in my opinion(As always, this space was probably reserved for skies.)
Another feature is that in the top of the pack where the straps are fastened there are two more slits for packing straps so you have a place to put your sleeping mat.
additional packing straps are found underneath the pack, adding another space for you to put sleepingmat/bag.
The closing mechanism is very simple, just a piece of string tied into a knot, Simple -> i like it!
So much good, how about the bad?
Well, it depends entirely on how you look at it.
For starters, one might find it irritating that the pack lacks side pockets for your water bottle, and yes, this is very irritating, but when the pack was issued the Swedish carried their water bottles in their belts.
I like the size of it, but as with the Norwegian pack, this one has the same problem, if the load is to small the pack is going to be a little uncomfortable.
Where to get it and what to pay.
I got mine at www.varusteleka.com/ for 15 EUR(12 £ and 20 $)
But these can be found fairly cheap on ebay.com for 6.50£(8 EUR and 10 $).
Beware that some people feel that because the packs they are selling are from a certain year they think its okay to raise the prize ten-fold. don't be fooled. Don't pay more that 15 EUR(12 £ and 20$) more than that, and they are trying to fool you.
Rating:
The pack has issues with the frame and with carrying small loads and water bottles, but it doesn't matter, because in the end, it's the feeling you get when you look at it that counts, and you just feel awesome when you own it, and even more when you walk around with it on your back. It's a cool, no nonsense pack, that has lasted for more than 70 years and will last for 70 more if you take care of it.
I give it 6 bowls of the stuff you get after you made a pot of coffee, out of 6:
Chris
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