Say hello to grandpa Bergans!!

[RonW]

With some pride I'd like to present my latest "acquisition"..... It was given to me, really.

It is a framed Bergans with mustard yellow fabric, which is courses than I am used to and grey (once) leather.
What is quite unique about this pack, is not only the fabric, but also a smaller, horizontal pocket in the back and a patch saying it was made in Christiania. And I was told that that was Oslo's old name.... before 1925!!
The pack is perfectly useable and rides quite comfortably on the lower back and pelvis.

 

[Macaroon]

Great-looking pack, and it seems in very good condition; what a great gift!

 

[crosslandkelly]

That is a lovely looking old school pack. I wonder if our modern equivalents will last 90 years.

 

[sandbender]

That is a fantastic looking pack, is that a forth external pocket in the middle picture?

 

[RonW]

Thanks.
@ Sandbender; no, is is an internal, horizontal pocket. It lies across the back on the inside of the main compartment.

 

[jimbo75]

Brilliant condition considering how old it is....

 

[John Fenna]

Very nice!

 

[andybysea]

Great pack that has got to be one of the packs us brits used in the design of the ww2 commando bergen as they are very similar.

 

[RonW]

The age has not been confirmed yet. I sent the pictures to bergans and hope for a positive id on this one.

 

[Diamond Dave]

Great gift and an excellent Bergan.

 

[sandbender]

Thanks.
@ Sandbender; no, is is an internal, horizontal pocket. It lies across the back on the inside of the main compartment.

Did that have a specific function? map storage or similar?

I had a Bergans pack in my late teenage years, not as good nick as this one, I think my brother ended up with it and sold it on. I wish I'd kept it.

It had a very large extendible top, essentially a lining for the main compartment that had a drawstring bottom, the chap who sold it to suggested that this was so the pack could be used as an emergency sleeping/survival bag.

 

[Dreadhead]

very nice pack!

 

[Chiseller]

bonny....would go with on of my safari beds

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[RonW]

Yes, it really would.
Just send the bed over and I'll join'm....

 

[Herbalist1]

Very nice - let us know what Bergans say when they get back to you. Looks n excellent condition - a piece of history that you can use.

 

[British Red]

How great to see such a pack in good condition. Good too that you have it Ron - I know it will be appreciated and used!

 

[PDA1]

Great pack that has got to be one of the packs us brits used in the design of the ww2 commando bergen as they are very similar.

Used a P42Bergen quite a lot in the late fifties/early sixties when in the cadets. It was, as you say, a copy of the Bergan design. I even have a 1970s replica (cotton,leather and steel frame) in olive green at the back of my gear cupboard. It doesn't get a lot of use, mainly because it weighs almost 7 1/2 pounds empty.

 

[Tor helge]

Nice pack. I have one a little newer (made just after the WWII)

Ole Bergans took patent on this ruck in 1909.
He was a lousy business/ PR man and the ruck was no success, With few sales.
Sverre Young (hence the name on the label), a self made man, and a much better business and PR man, bought the patent in 1911 and made Bergans the Company it is "today".

The rucks was made in the colors sand and grey (although I`ve never seen a sand colored one).

 

[RonW]

Hej Tor, thanks for chiming in.
So this might indeed be quite a unique one?