Yugoslavian Combat Pack(Serbian Surplus)

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The Pack:

Short History:

The pack was introduced to the newly formed National Yugoslavian Army or JNA, under the command of the famous and infamous Josip Tito, who led a resistance organization fighting the German occupation of Yugoslavia. After the war he assumed the role of Prime Minister (later President), and Marshall of Yugoslavia, meaning he had supreme control of the JNA, numbering about 8.000.000 men. After Tito’s death, religious and ethnic violence spiraled into several wars. During the Croatian War of Independence, Serbian rebels were outfitted by the JNA and also got a hold of this pack. This means that the pack was probably issued to Yugoslavian troops in the 50’s and saw continues service until the late 1990’s, quite the service record.

Well that’s nice, but is it any good?

How is it?

The pack looks horrid. You take one look at this “Thing” and it sends shivers down your spine. The first thing you notice is the size which is MICROSCOPIC this might be the smallest military pack that was issued independently. 
UPDATE(17-08-2013) So, i figured out why its so small. It wasn't actually used as an independent pack, but as a part of a chest-rig system. It was worn on top of the chest-rig to make it easy to take of, if you needed to be quick about your feet. 

In the pic, the only thing I was able to squeeze into the main compartment was my small summer sleeping-bag. This means that the pack probably wasn't used as a means of carrying a lot of gear for a great length of time.

The carrying-straps on the pack is one of the most interesting features on the pack, as these are not, like on most packs, both old and modern, sewn onto the pack, but rather connected by 4 clips. Secondly the straps are actually not connected in a single system, but actually consists of 2 separate straps that connect like this:

My first impressions of the pack, when just carrying it around the house, was that the carrying-system works surprisingly well. As back destroying(yes, destroying) as it may look, it actually seems half decent.

Underneath the pack you get 2 additional straps which seem really solid. I don’t care how angry your five year old nephew is, he ain't gonna gnaw through these.

The straps can be seen in this picture holding my jacket, and that’s pretty much the maximum stress I would put on these, not because they cant take it, believe me! I've already told you once, they will not break. But because if you start attaching sleeping bags, cotton tarps or the skulls of your enemies, the comfort of the pack is going to suffer.

Anything special?

Because of the size of the pack, I was really impressed about the number of features that you get.

The straps are, as I said, attached with clips and can be removed, they can in turn be fastened to these:

and if you do this right you will end up with this handsome shoulder-pack:

which I suspect actually was one of the purposes of the pack. Because this makes the pack double as a bread-bag, I mean why would anyone want to throw money at both a pack and a bread-bag when you can just issue 2 of the same pack to every soldier, clever!

The Pack also contains, what has been described as a “loot bag”, however, I am fairly certain that it was used as a sort of integrated gas mask container, hence(as we say in Denmark) striking 2 flies with one swing, as the army then did not have to be bothered with issuing gas-mask-bags as well, good thinking there. (A picture of the “Loot-bag” will be coming up shortly)

The front pocket:

is a nice feature unless you plan on using this pack as a pack, the only thing I have used it for so far, is as a place to keep the other strap, when I use the pack as a shoulder bag.

The bad, The badder and the even badder than the badder and the bad put together:

What I really need on this pack are side pockets, I have no clue where to put my water bottle, but then again, if your mess kit looks like this:

Picture courtesy of: http://webbingbabel.blogspot.dk/

the water bottle is the least of your worries, oh wait, no it isn't, because the water bottle is in the center of the mess kit! WHAT WERE THESE GUYS THINKING! But yeah side pockets would have been appreciated.

The size is ridicules, there is no way that this pack was designed by anyone who has even had the slightest idea about what the common soldier has to carry with him, a bit harsh I know, but look a it! There is no way in the seven heavens that this even has a remote chance of carrying a tenth of what you are going to need in the field.

But the worst thing about the pack, in my opinion is that someone actually have thought about the design. WHAT? Yes, as you can see in this picture:

someone actually tried this on and said, ”What this needs is more back-support” so they padded the back of the pack. And many of the details I have already mentioned have clearly been put there after someone tried it out and had an idea. This means that either A) someone somewhere was “smart” enough to test a combat pack and add important features, but didn't care that it’s impossible to carry anything with you, not even water or B) someone in the bowels of the Yugoslavian army headquarters really wanted to lose his job.

How much and where do I get one of these beauties?

I got mine for 8£ (9 EUR and 12 $) on eBay.

and I've seen them for a lower price, at around 5£ (6 EUR and 7,5 $) in bad condition, but as time goes on, as it always is in the world of surplus, there will be fewer and fewer of these around and prices will go up.

They go for as much as 20£ (23 EUR and 30$) for some in really good condition.

I think the maximum that i would pay at the moment would be around 10-12£ (11,5-14 EUR and 15-18 $) if they want more than that, they are overcharging!
If you live in the States, i suggest taking a look at Yugoslavian Army Rucksack, they sell the pack for 9.95$, which is a really good price.

If all ells fails, EBAY!

Conclusion to this rant? 

The weird thing about this pack, is that it actually works a lot better as a civilian pack than it ever did as a military one, or at least according to my divine opinion. Its to small for military gear, I don’t care how much you hate your troops and how crappy and faulty their gear is, its just to small! But as a civilian pack it works for those days when you are going to the woods and you don’t plan on sleeping out. There is room enough for water, knife, fire-steel, axe, food, and a jacket.

Finally I really like this pack, it’s just to cool, I mean it was made in the 1950’s and not anywhere near the standards of a modern 1990’s army but it didn't care, it was like: “Issue me, I’ll fight this war for you!”

The overall verdict is four bus-stop signs our of 6

On a side note: I am not in anyway trying to make fun of the Balkan conflict I am merely reviewing a pack.

Also a field test of this and the Ludvig is comming up shortly.

Thanks for reading
Chris

This was issued as probably issued as a bread-bag, designed to be part of a chest-rig system, but as long as retailers market this as: Yugoslavian Combat Pack, i reserve the right to review it as such.

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Swedish m1939 Rucksack

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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!

 *Notice the 3 crowns printed into the leather.

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:

Thanks for reading
Chris

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The Bundeswehr Gebirgsjäger Pack.

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History?

The pack was introduced in the 1960’s - 1970’s to the German Gebirgsjäger, which roughly translate to mountain troops, like the American 10^th Mountain division or the Italian “Alpini” who actually saw action against the German and Austro-Hungarian Gebirgsjägers during World War 1.

Back when it was first introduced it had leather straps with metal buckles and was made out of some kind of cottonish material.

The one that you will most frequently find in shops today, is the new model made out of Heavy Canvas, canvas straps and plastic buckles. 

What about it The Pack itself?

The pack in itself is a very simple design, its basically just a string-closed canvas bag with canvas straps and some side pockets sewn on to it.

The lit of the pack is large, and will let you keep a sleepingmat, sleeping bag or maybe a tent underneath it, and the length of straps and the way the buckles are designed makes it easy to tighten. 

The main compartment is very roomy and seems like it’s a bottomless pit, you always seem to be able to throw more stuff into it.

The carrying system is fairly simple. It’s Just two shoulder straps with some kind of patting on them and an extremely uncomfortable hip-belt.  The hip-belt is not only uncomfortable it’s also very short, so if you have a little extra above the belt, it can be a pain to even getting it buckled.

The pack can be very uncomfortable to wear, when full, because of the lack of back-support. But it seems that the Germans actually designed it this way. If you open up into the main compartment: 

You will notice a small pocket running along the back, closeable with Velcro straps. This pocket is meant to contain the Bundeswehr sleeping mat, but really any type of foam Material will do. I use the old back-support from a busted Fjällräven Kånken I had laying around.

If you add the foam back-support you instantly increase the comfyness of the pack tenfold. If you are packing large and you don’t have the back-support, then you, my friend, are going to have a bad time.

What else?

Well, the pack is very simple so you don’t get many features, it only has 3 compartments, one big and two small side pockets on either side of the pack, but I’ll get back to those.

One of the things I really like about the pack is that the bottom of it is covered in leather:

This means that even though it’s a wet night in the Forrest, you don’t care because if you set it down on the ground that leather is going to keep your stuff dry.

There is also room behind the side pockets. This space was probably originally meant for skies, but it’s a handy place to keep your trench tool or axe: 

The webbing that holds the buckles is not sewn on completely

This gives you are sort of primitive Molle System, which gives you the option of pimping your Rucksack to the max with Carbines, Rope, skulls and all sorts of awesome things!! 

Anything negative? 

Well, yeah, back to the side-pockets. I don’t know what the designers where thinking. They actually made a half decent back but then someone somewhere thought that these pockets were a good idea. I’ve been bitching about them without telling you what’s actually wrong long enough, so here goes. The trouble with the pockets are that they are to SMALL! It’s almost impossible to get anything into them(keep in mind I don’t know what idea the German army had with these pockets, but I am guessing that they had developed some sort of magic water bottle that fits into these pockets.)

I can’t get my 1 liter Nalgene into them because it’s too wide, and my thermos, while being thin enough, is too tall.

I will grant you that this might seem like a small issue, but it is amazingly irritating when nothing you own fits into the pockets… except my ridicules spork. 

And oh yeah, one more thing. If you are planning to use this pack in the summer, then don’t, because the way the shoulder straps have been fastened to the pack is by sewing a giant piece of heavy canvas onto the upper back:

This is so uncomfortable even if you are wearing a thick shirt. It’s clearly meant to be worn on top of several layers of clothing.

Price and where do I get one?

I bought mine many years ago for about 100 Danish Kroner(13 Euro, 18$ and 12 £) but today they go for about 20 Euro’s online(26$ and 17£)

But if your local surplus store doesn’t have one of these lying around then you should tell them to close shop. This is the most widely used (and bought) surplus backpack of all time so they are not hard to find. That’s why I also think that 20 Euro’s is too high a price.

BEWARE OF CHEAP CHINESE COPIES! THEY SUCK!

What’s the verdict?

While being an amazing pack that can handle a beating like a boss, its side pockets makes it irritating to get packed, because you always wonder if your water bottle is going to fit.

This is meant for autumn and winter, but if you accept it as a seasonal pack then you will be really happy with it.  I give it 3 cartoon bananas out of 6.

Thanks for reading
Chris

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