Ski Patrol Rucksack

[Aragorn243]

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.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

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.

[Aragorn243]

$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.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

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.

[Beerhunter]

Retiring soldiers were allowed to keep their rucksack, along with their rifle, and so most of them will have passed into private hands.

[Aragorn243]

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:





And this is the one he emailed me:



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.

[Aragorn243]

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.

[Aragorn243]

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.





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.












Uniform not the correct one obviously but figured it'd look better than a t-shirt.

[WarPig1976]

Is the rifle enclosed " inside " the pack too?

[Aragorn243]

Is the rifle enclosed " inside " the pack too?

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.

---------- Post added at 09:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 PM ----------

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.

My membership expired but I'll check into it.