1943 Varied Rucksack???

[Aragorn243]

I found a US marked rucksack with 1943 Varied on the inside of the top flap. It is in decent condition with some rust stains here and there. All buckles and straps seem to be in place. The problem is that is has a wire frame rather than the tubular frame and that has me wondering if it is legit or not.

This is not a photo of the rucksack I found but is the same type:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...ttach_id=73903

I found a discussion page concerning these rucksacks and included there were two different fellows who had examples of the same type rucksack. Both were marked 1942 and were different manufacturers. Another site seems to indicate wire frames were used but only on an early discontinued model and these were made in 1941 and early 1942 and not by Varied.

I am considering buying the rucksack if it is legit. But no interest if it is a reproduction of some sort.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

I found a photo of a 10th Mountain Division soldier wearing a rucksack with the wire frame. I also discovered the frame can be removed and exchanged so worst case I can get another frame. Looked it over again and it's in decent shape with only one issue, the end of the one strap has been cut off losing the metal tip and about an inch of fabric. Fully functional. Very minor, there are a couple of loose threads in a seam or two. No holes, no tears, leather straps are good. Opted to take a chance on it.

[Aragorn243]

I actually found a tubular frame for it. So I'll swap out the wire frame. I suspect this is from the earlier version which was discontinued. I plan on hanging on to it in any case. Found one more defect, one of the eyelets is missing on one of the accessory straps. Wear pattern on the upper leather pocket seems to indicate it had a tubular frame at one time. Previous owner has been using it for hunting. PA SPORT game bag was in the upper pocket.

[browningautorifle]

We've had a couple show up here in time past but both with tube frame. I left them alone though, have enough of that sort of thing already...

[Aragorn243]

What I believe to be the correct frame came early so I took some photos before and after. Wear pattern is perfect with "new" frame. I'm wondering if these were surplussed off without the frames and the wire frames were made up to fill the gap. Could be the early version of frame also. This really got me thinking about how poorly equipped troops must have been in WWII. This rucksack was only for the 10th Mountain Division, not the rest of the Army so all the rest of the army had were those small packs. Sleeping bags didn't come along until late in the war. How did they survive the winters on the line? Blankets and shelter halves I guess.























The tube frame is a lot tighter than the wire frame. Fits much better as the wings are folded in at a sharper angle. I expect the wire frame would catch on all sorts of stuff as it sticks out to the sides.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Nice find. Somewhat like the Swiss mountain pack.

[Aragorn243]

Nice find. Somewhat like the Swiss mountain pack.

Somewhat yes. And the Swiss mountain pack is the only other WWII era large rucksack that I can think of, but then again, I didn't know this existed until I saw it last week. Gear isn't something the books talk about much. I have to find a clip or make one for the rifle and get the rifle strap. I have found those for sale, the clip, not yet. The Swiss put their rifles down a sleeve in the center of the pack. This one rides on the outside. There is also supposed to be a white cover that was issued with these, for snow camo.

I do have the Swiss pack also.

[browningautorifle]

Blankets and shelter halves

Our guys did that exact thing until after the mid '60's...grey blankets and shelter halves.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Our guys did that exact thing until after the mid '60's...grey blankets and shelter halves.

Tough hombres. Bet that but a bit of frost on the pumpkin.

[Aragorn243]

I wish I only had $2 or $5 in this. $85 for the pack and $40 for the frame. Based on online sales and the condition it's in those are good prices these days. I can't complain, I've gotten some of the deals of the century before. My WWII sleeping bag was a freebie from a garage sale. They had it hanging up and I asked how much and they said the first guy that wants it gets it so it came home with me. Then there's the sawback bayonet I picked up a few weeks ago.