Old german army pack bit of a review

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you can call me al

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Aug 13, 2008
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103
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I got this old German army pack from the surplus store for 15 bucks.I know it is not going to be to everyone's tastes but I kind of like the that retro 1950's style of gear.The pack is a relic of the cold war made for the old and now defuncked east German army.The Guy at the army surplus store said that German army use this basic design of pack for something like 130 years.So there must be some merit to the design for it to be used for such a long time.
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Turning the pack over you can see there are a few unwanted straps which are just a little bit irritating.The two straps coming off the shoulder strap and the one at the back where originally to be link to some kind military belt.I have no need for them so they will eventually be cut off.
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The whole inside lined in this green rubber making it pretty much waterproof
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So it will carry another gear for a day out at the woods,billy can,poncho,lunch,.It my be a bit small for over night trips
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It has this neat cover for the opening.This writing looks more like Russian that German to me???
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Back view with yours truly..:DI said the pack is old but has never been used it just been siting in some old east German warehouse for some 20 odd year.I like the retro style,that it is a relic,a bit of history,and of coarse it was very cheap.It's well made a little bit rough round the edges perhaps,and I have to say like the crazy "raindrop" camouflage pattern.For sure it will out last any $15 "made in china" kind of pack you can get today.
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It even comes with a little bit for you name tag....:D
 
Looks like a nice pack to me,I especially like the rubber lining. What are the dimensions?
 
I picked up a pack of 4 of them at the Salvation Army. They were new. They are very durable. Geat for sticking a dutch oven in to keep the rest of your gear clean. Also use it as a bag for canned goods etc camping.
 
Nice review, you can call me al. Neat little pack. Looks like it would also be a good choice for a subpack. For example I have a big honkin' duffle bag that I take hunting with me, but it is nice to have some things broken down into smaller bags. That pack would make a nice game cleaning bag for knives, hatchet, game bags etc.


I noticed that Cheaper Than Dirt has them on sale for $3.97

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/LEG103-1.html
 
Great little pack. Let's get a close up of your belt pouch, you know I like them!
 
I think Tim Stetzer has one of those and really likes it! Thanks for the heads up!
 
Nice pack! The size and shape looks a lot like the old style British army packs but it looks a lot more useful with the lining and everything.
 
Cool pack. The East German stuff is tough.

you can call me al said:
This writing looks more like Russian that German to me???
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The East German Army was known as the Nationale Volksarmee or NVA (National People's Army). It looks like the A is missing on the top print. I'm not sure what the IVA stands for (assuming the last letter is an A). Also, there's no V character in the Cyrillic alphabet. The V sound is represented by a B (or b), i.e. Mockba = Moskva.
 
I've had one of those since the early 90's.
Used it plenty in the canoe.
Kept my lunch, warming layer and other goodies dry, even though the deck of the canoe would get plenty wet.
Good stuff, I think I paid $15 locally, back then.
I like your price better :)

I've seen the camo pattern referred to as "pine needle" as well.
:)
 
BlackHills said:
I'm not sure what the IVA stands for (assuming the last letter is an A). Also, there's no V character in the Cyrillic alphabet. The V sound is represented by a B (or b), i.e. Mockba = Moskva.
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Russian doesn't use I or V in Cyrillic anymore, but they are familiar with them as Roman numerals. But I think that's all German myself, whatever it refers to.
 
TWBryan said:
Looks like a nice pack to me,I especially like the rubber lining. What are the dimensions?
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It works out about 12"X11"X4".The volume wound be about 15 liter's or so...:confused:

Ebbtide said:
I've had one of those since the early 90's.
Used it plenty in the canoe.
Kept my lunch, warming layer and other goodies dry, even though the deck of the canoe would get plenty wet.
Good stuff, I think I paid $15 locally, back then.
I like your price better :)

I've seen the camo pattern referred to as "pine needle" as well.
:)
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For sure with all that rubber on the inside It would make a good choice for a cheap Canoe back.But if you get order one online look out,when I got this one I noticed that some didn't have the rubber lining.

Rockywolf said:
Great little pack. Let's get a close up of your belt pouch, you know I like them!
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Thanks Rocky here is a belt pouch pic...:D

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Old??
Don't think so.

That's the rain pattern East German gear thats been selling on SMG and CTD for long time. I got some of the pouches, make good butt packs for kids.
 
Nice laplander sheath, Al. I think you need to do a silky saw sheath to really test your skills though... ;) ahem ahem...
 
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