Rucksack, Canvas, Combat
General Information
Name: Rucksack, Canvas, Combat.
Country of Origin: Denmark.
Equipment Family: Yet to be identified..
Volume Capacity: 75L.
Flat map pocket- 2.5L.
Main Compartment- 55L.
Front pocket- 6.5L.
Side pockets- 5.5L each.
Weight: 2kg.
Size: Not specified.
Waterproof: No.
Frame: External “A” Type frame.
For more specific details such as date of production, manufacturer, colour, size, and weight, see individual examples.
Similar Objects
History
The Rucksack, Canvas, Combat was initially designed for Danish special forces to replace the M-49/59 field pack. Fabricated with cotton canvas with woven cotton webbing straps, this large backpack was better used to extended operations in the field. Its steel external frame, formed from bent extruded steel tubing welded into an A-shape, featured black plastic sleeves to guard against cold injuries in arctic conditions.
Description
The Rucksack comprises five compartments, including a sizable main one sealed with a drawstring and internal fabric cover. All compartments, including external pouches, fasten with webbing straps and brass buckles. Notably, the underside main closure lid boasts a large flap map pouch secured by a small brass zip, while the front pouch includes a secondary closure zip.
The shoulder straps, lacking padding, are directly sewn onto the Rucksack’s back. Below these straps lies a leather envelope holding the frame in place, aided by a pair of cross straps. A thick strip of leather across the bottom acts as a buffer between the Rucksack and the frame, secured by short leather tabs.
The frame itself features a green webbing lumber strap at the base, permanently attached with steel pins. Brass buckles at the waist allow for adjustment of the shoulder straps, with a round brass boss below for the Rucksack’s leather tabs to attach to.
Examples
Example One
Example one was produced around 1970 by an unidentified manufacturer. This specific example of the rucksack features shoulder straps that were made using surplus British army stocks of ersatz Pattern-37 Web Equipment that are stamped with 1942 dates and British manufacturing marks including A.C (Associated Cutters) and S.N.LTD (S. Norton Ltd). These straps appear to have originally been Webbing Brace straps (Left or Right), or the shoulder straps for an 08-Pattern Pack.
Additionally, the Cross-Straps are also from the World War II era and were originally issued as Utility Straps attached to the back of the 08 Pack. They are made from a canvas and rubber compound that was commonly used towards the end of World War II.
Object Number: 3124-208-36101.
Example Two
Example Two, dating back to the 1970s, shares the design of the first example. However, it’s crafted from a heavier olive drab canvas cloth and features a large open-top flat pocket on the internal side, against the back. Notably, it utilizes Pattern-44 web belt fabric (see picture 12) for both the shoulder straps and the frame’s waistband. Additionally, the frame itself lacks the plastic tubing on the sides.
Object Number: 3124-208-44100.
