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I've wanted one of these to go with my K31 ever since I saw a picture of one. This is the pack that the rifle fits through a hole in the center of the rucksack. Somewhat hard to find, there have been a couple making appearances on ebay. Took a chance on one yesterday and won the auction. I think it is going to prove to be a post war model which is a bit of a bummer but I'm still excited about getting one.
I'll post photos once it arrives.
I have been on the hunt for one as well. How did you do on the price? They seem about like the No 5 Bayonets in terms of the firearm to accessory price ratio.
$60 plus $25 shipping. I gave up trying to find one cheap but this wasn't bad. There's another one on there I've been watching that he keeps lowering the price. It's at $89 now I think plus $27 shipping but it has some funny looking repairs on it and the guys feedback says everything smells of cigarettes pretty bad.
I missed that one. I had been watching the Smokers Rucksack drop. I think you did pretty well if yours is in good shape. These are one of those things I would like to have (like the No 5 Bayo) but it will have to be at the right price. Awaiting photos.
Retiring soldiers were allowed to keep their rucksack, along with their rifle, and so most of them will have passed into private hands.
I got notice today that it has been shipped. Says it could be here tomorrow............or as late as next Tuesday. Photos will have to wait till the weekend in any case if it arrives early, no time.
I think I got lucky because the guys photos did not show the chimney at all. He said it was there but you could just see the fabric at the top.
I asked him for a photo of the bottom of the bag to confirm and he e-mailed it to me rather than add it to his listing.
Condition looks better than the smokers ruck but it has two small repairs of some sort on the side pocket. They are small dark spots which I'm guessing are melted glue or something They are small but they do stand out. The smokers ruck has several areas that look like the fabric has stretched so far as to be unraveling. Plus those weird whitish "tape" areas.
Here are the two listing photos:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...psd77bed-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7_zpscce-1.jpg
And this is the one he emailed me:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zps3ca5-1.jpg
It looks very similar to the Smokers ruck but the leather straps on the back are a bit different. It does not have leather around the top of the chimney which leads me to conclude it is probably a post war model that they were saving time/materials on. He said he could not find a date on it, maybe he didn't know where to look. The button on the front has a serial number on it.
It came today. Condition isn't bad but it isn't perfect either. I guess we hope for the best and get what we get. It has a slight musty surplus smell to it and a few repairs made with some sort of hot black melted substance. The chimney does have the leather around it, it's on the inside. There is a name "Dani" I believe written in ink at the top. It does not have a date that I can find but does have the serialized silver button on the front and the leather is stamped with the Swiss acceptance mark. The chimney has a couple of small tears that will probably be hard to fix but I will make the attempt. Leather is soft and supple but the straps look old. I guess being 60 years old will do that. I'll post some photos when I get a chance but it may be a couple of days.
Had some time today, figured I'd have some fun and make up a small display and dig out the old uniform so I could show what it looks like on. It is surprisingly comfortable and the rifle does not hit you at either end. Barrel tip is only about an inch above my head so no real worries about running into anything unless I would have to bend under something.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2555abf1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...868ba312-1.jpg
This is the only official mark besides the aluminum button I can find on it. There is a handwritten name, Dena, at the top of the rifle chimney inside.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...68131e3f-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fe2bdacd-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...87a71c29-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c404aebb-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a7b904f8-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...6cdf8e09-1.jpg
Uniform not the correct one obviously but figured it'd look better than a t-shirt.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bab0bb74-1.jpg
Is the rifle enclosed " inside " the pack too?
That is one nice ensemble. Now I Have to have one. Sportsmans Guide has some repro blankets and some Swiss uniforms If you want to complete the look.
There is a central "chimney" fully enclosed in the center of the pack. It runs from the bottom to the top of the pack on the inside. There is a hole through the top flap so the barrel fits out and you can open the pack without removing the rifle.Quote:
Originally Posted by WarPig1976
---------- Post added at 09:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------
My membership expired but I'll check into it.Quote:
Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY
I picked up a Swiss greatcoat yesterday. Shipped today. It looks nice but I'm not sure if it will fit or not. If he has the size correct, it should but if not, I'm either going on a diet or I'm re-listing it.
https://libertytreecollectors.com/pr...?idCategory=23
Aragorn, check out this page, maybe it can help you put a complete uniform together.
Most of that stuff is pretty modern. Some of the accessories would be appropriate, not sure I want to spend that much. Liberty Tree has some good stuff but they aren't cheap.
What I really need is some sort of photo or list of appropriate time period things. I've checked the Swiss forum site but hard to glean what I need from it. I'm in no hurry. I have at least seen a coat of this type on a WWII re-enacter. Only big problem I now have is I didn't really think about it being a coat, it is a heavy coat and most re-enactments occur in the summer.
The greatcoat came today and if fits perfectly. It also looks great although it got wrinkled when he stuffed it in the box.
Here's what it looks like:
Swiss Army WWII Era Field Gray Wool Uniform Overcoat Greatcoat | eBay
I believe these were issued from WWI to the 1950's. He claims this is from WWII but I can't find a date on it. The numbers are the size from all I can tell, the 53 is the equivalent of 43 US. Not sure what the 3B stands for.
Only flaw I can notice is the buttons are missing some paint here and there.
Yes they can be pricey...
Today would've been a good day for a reenactment...:madsmile:Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Yeah, I tried it on standing by the air conditioner. All was good until I stepped outside to show my wife who was sitting on the porch. That lasted about 30 seconds.
I remember when this forum was a hotbed of activity. Now we're down to talking about gear.
On that subject, I won a WWII helmet on ebay today. Slowly getting my re-enactment gear together.
Cool, which belligerent?
Photo?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Sorry, I guess you guys aren't mind readers. It's a Swiss helmet model 1917 I believe. I guess I figured since I was on the Swiss boards everyone would just know. No photos, I don't have it yet and it is not the one in the ebay photo from what I can gather. It was $35 which is good for any helmet these days. Has the liner and looks to be in very good shape.
I found it a couple of days ago and figured if no one bid, I'd put the minimum on it. Then I forgot about it. Spotted the link in my bookmarks and had the "Oh crap" moment, clicked on it to see what is sold for and there was 1 minute 23 seconds left. But I wasn't signed in and my computer picked this time to not remember my password. All was well when I clicked anyway and this angry red mess came up saying that was an incorrect password but low and behold, my computer figured it out and put it in the box. So by this time there is 29 seconds left. Got the bid in with 6 to go and bingo.
Then I get an e-mail. Sorry but we had an inventory issue. Will it be OK if we send your helmet in two weeks? I'm like hmmmmmmmmm, seems like someone made a boo boo and I'm going to get a crap helmet instead of the one in the photo. I replied that it would be OK IF, the helmet I was getting in two weeks was the one in the photo or one in as good condition as the one in the photo. I did not want a beat up helmet. I get a second e-mail assuring me that my helmet would be as good as the one in the photo. E-mailed back to say that was fine and 10 minutes later they "found" some nice helmets and had shipped mine out already.
Not sure if I should be nervous about this or not. I think its on the up and up. Will know in a few days.
sounds like a close call on the bid.!!
Does sound fishy, time will tell..
Perhaps I am just lucky but other than paying to much i have had good luck with vendors on ebay. I do shy away from those with marginal feeback ratings. Looking forward to pictures.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Helmet came yesterday. I'm very happy with it. It has what I believe to be the previous owner's name tag in it.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...af518bd1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...a487ebcd-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bfda158d-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3c05a7b0-1.jpg
Not bad at all,,, Does it fit?
Yes but it will take some getting used to. I hate wearing helmets. I never liked my service helmet but I was in before the Kevlar helmets came out. It has three pockets that are fitted with blocks of padding. I should probably make the blocks a bit smaller but I don't plan on wearing it much at this point. If I get the rest of the uniform, maybe. The pockets are under the leather. You flip up each of the three leather sections and their is a pocket underneath.
VERY nice, Aragorn. I know a guy............... I mean for all things militaria like clothing, hats, anything to do with Swiss firearms and accoutrements. He does it for a living, but he's not in the US. He does ship to the US virtually every week. His internet name is Guisan. fvanbinnendijk@hotmail.com If it is even available, he'll have it or get it soon. If he can't get it or find it, literally nobody can.
You need a uniform Aragorn! :lol:
I am more interested in getting into the Swiss gear after I learned that my heritage on my Father's side is significantly Swiss. They had always said we were Dutch but what we actually were was Pennsylvania Dutch which were/are German Mennonites. The German Mennonites in my tree are mostly from Switzerland and immigrated to the colonies in the early 1600's to avoid extreme persecution in Switzerland. One of my great..................great Grandfathers was one of the last Mennonite ministers executed by the Swiss so they had very valid reasons for leaving.
This is weird. The gent to whom I was referring is actually Dutch!! :lol: He seems to spend as much time in Switzerland as he does in Holland. :)
Best of luck finding your gear. Do you speak either German or Swiss-German? My Father translates the books for me that we have in the armory. I hope to speak it someday but it all takes something I have little of at the moment. Time! :lol:
I speak very little German, mostly small things I picked up in three trips there and from hosting 4 German kids. My two daughters speak German having four years high school and each a trip to Germany. I can read more than I can understand verbally but it isn't a lot.