Canvas Berghaus Crusader

[Twodogs]

Very bad man ,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[torc]

Size isn't everything... Maybe they were a bit slacker on the sizings back then, who knows.

Left to right in that line up are (size in litres in brackets):

Salient (68 to 80)
Recce (60)
Scout (35)
Jaeger (20)
Assault (20)

All badged as Vector and available in OD or DPM flavour back in 1989

I've seen some OD Vector bags that were LA badged.
Most if not all of these early military bags were made in Ireland so there was some odd variants knocking about over here.
I have an OD Recce with the brown base from the '80s but it's definitely bigger than 60l.
LA were well noted for underestimating their volumes.
The bag is still going strong and the original Paralux harness height is easy to adjust and very comfortable.
LA used to produce a well made 5l side pouch called the Universal Pocket which attacked to their rucksack's compression straps, the surpluss Salient side pouches are all that are available now.
Happy trails...torc.

 

[Twodogs]

Nice one Torc ,

I found this on the net the other day interesting if you into early vector ,
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128291

Then this turned up on ebay.US,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ERDL-patt...553?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab1ee8ff1

Same pack ,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Wayland]

Finally got around to making a pair of canvas side pouches to go with the Crusader I got.

Made with canvas from an old military tarp that had seen better days.

Not a bad colour match but I guess they'll fade differently anyway.

 

[Twodogs]

Cracking job there Gary ,,,,,,,,,,Fantastic

Twodogs

 

[MartinK9]

Stunning.

Nicely done Gary.

 

[Wayland]

Well you know me, I just can't resist tinkering with my kit.

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

Those pouches... In fact the whole Bergen is a thing of beauty.

 

[jones71]

Dug out both my old battered OG Cyclops Rocs and noticed slight differences in straps etc.

Is there an easy way to date/find out which is the earliest of the Bergens please?

Thanks

 

[Twodogs]

Post some pictures mate that will help , badges and straps

Twodogs

 

[Köld]

Finally got around to making a pair of canvas side pouches to go with the Crusader I got.

...

Very chic! I would be afraid of going outside with such a gem
-
What are those two black plastic fasteners on the new crusaders for? They are shown here just below the carry handle. I have a pair of them on my Modan rucksack which is very similar in design to the crusader.

 

[Barn Owl]

Hi Kold,
They are simply the holders/fasteners for ice axe,trekking poles or axe handles etc...

 

[Köld]

Hi Kold,
They are simply the holders/fasteners for ice axe,trekking poles or axe handles etc...

Thank you for your reply, maybe I should have understood that without asking on here

Here is another question - the two items in this photo came with my rucksack and I have no idea what they are for. The bottom-left thing seems to be a fastener for attaching pockets to the PLCE loops I guess (one side of it has a locking mechanism and the side that faces away from the camera is just a clip, but the other flat handle-like thing? It is just over 7cm long and a bit more than 3 cm wide.

 

[Still Waters]

Im looking to buy a crusader with side pouches in back size three if anyone knows of one for sale

Is there any difference between the cyclops rok and the crusader?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Im looking to buy a crusader with side pouches in back size three if anyone knows of one for sale

Is there any difference between the cyclops rok and the crusader?

eBay is always a good place to look as they regularlly pop up for sale.....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/berghaus-...Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item19d59cb540

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-e...Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3ccb24c275

 

[Still Waters]

Thanks blacktimberwolf im watching those on ebay but thought it was worth an ask on here aswell

Am i correct in thinking the roc is canvas and a smaller volume and the crusader normally is cordura and a larger capacity?

 

[treefrog]

Some early Roc's and crusaders were made in canvas (mine is) but switched to cordura. The Roc is 70 litres.. It was supplied without side pockets, which could be added to the side straps (adding a further 10L each.)
The Crusader is 100 litres and was made with zip off side pockets as standard.

My Roc.

 

[Still Waters]

Thanks for the info treefrog its appreciated

So at 70 litres it would be the roc i want and not the crusader

At present im using an plce issue bergan which im told is 100 litres plus ten litres for each side pocket and its too big for my needs

 

[Still Waters]

Ive bought an old berghaus delta of ebay
Its simmaler looking to the crusader but smaller at 55 litres so hopefully will be just the ticket for a few nights away

 

[Twodogs]

Had this critter off Dave53 last week a Mid to late 80 Berghaus Centurian in DPM Yaarrrr ,

The main problem I find with most of the old Military used Berghaus packs of the day most are size two becouse the troops needed to wear it with the 58 pattern webbing of the day the size two was a short back ,,,,hmmm i want size three,,, So drill the pop rivits out of the frame and remove another thing troop did was bend the frame again to help it sit better on the kidneu pooches ,, so first job get the frame back to straight ,, yerrr ,Next unpick the sholder straps from the main pack and phone a mate who owns a size three Roc ( Cheers Chad ) ,, sadle stich the sholder straps back on

Next the standard floppy lid caused by troops overloading and putting roll mats under the lid.Replace some of the binding and replace the elastic ,,,

Another ye olde classic ready to play for a few years yet Twodogs