The pack above is interesting. I have no idea what sort of pack a civilian might have used in the 18th century where Boone roamed, although I will admit haven't exactly done any research. However, the basic Norwegian Bergan pack frame has by now been around well over hundred years, although not manufactured in the original form now for perhaps 30 years. But canvas packs in various sizes and shapes are still being turned out by the Duluth Pack Company. That's what Horace Kephart used and chance are, the packs of a hundred years earlier may not have been much different. I'm certain packs of different styles were in use, one type being close to what we think of as a frameless rucksack, the other more like an oversize messenger bag or rucksack. But the frontier period in American lasted perhaps at least two hundred years, probably more depending on your cut-off point, so there is room there for a lot of variation. Even then, very old patterns would have continued in use if they had nothing better, same as now. Generally speaking, however, I've never read anything that gave much detail about what travelers on the frontier might have carried on a tramp, though I'm sure the information is out there somewhere. Considerable material exists on Mountain Men, which is a period not much later.
Nice to see this thread is still active.
Nice to see this thread is still active.