British WWII Bergen Rucksack

A look at the British WWII bergen rucksack as issued to mountain troops, Commandos and other specialists.
Patreon - / riflemanmoore
Paypal - www.paypal.me/...
Facebook - / riflemanmoore
Instagram - / riflemanmoore
Twitter - / rifleman_moore
Email - [e-mail]

[@chrissheppard5068]

Pathetic that this 1941 item was better than the 58 pattern which was in service until the 80ties. Shame on those in charge.

[@jaws666]

Agreed...as much as i Love the 58 pattern webbing the so called "large pack" was anything but and it was a joke (or it would have been if it was funny) a lot of guys who i served with when i was in the Irish Army bought and used our own packs /bergens in place of the offical "large pack"

[@badgertheskinnycow]

The 1958 Field Pack did not replace this bergen - which remained on issue.

[@Hew.Jarsol]

Typical British leadership.

[@davidbrennan660]

A Royal Marine once said “too heavy and you can pack too much into it “ at the time of the Falklands Conflict....it is very old school, I got mine at a Boot Fair during the early Nineties... £5 ......( with most of the thin straps for external carrying) those were good days to find stuff.

[@danf-lynch1220]

Great video! Any information on the different versions produced during the War? I have a sand coloured example dated 1943, a green one dated 1943 and a green one that is lined with what appears to be black rubber dated 1944. Are they just manufacturer’s variations or were they issued as mission-specific items?

[@liammalarky3483]

I've a couple of well used Ludwig (Telemark) framed packs, but my pride and joy is a 1928 bergan that resembles the pack you've just shown. Having been boxed and forgotten in a Swedish loft for most of last century It's in pristine, like new condition. Although heavy-ish with its frame, as they tend to be, it's perfectly balanced and an ergonomic joy. I've never actualĺy used it as I don't want to scuff it etc. as I know of only two others like it. One in the bergan museum itself and one owned by a collector in Japan. Good video, thank you.

[@andrewcombe8907]

Lovely pack. Pity this was abandoned in favour of the 58 Pattern pack. My Godmother was a mad keen bushwalker and had one of the Australian versions of these when we hiked around the Morton National Park on the south coat of NSW. It was one of the most comfortable packs I’ve ever carried. The weight was placed firmly on the hips and its load capacity was enormous.

[@paulthompson3190]

The Bergens were still issued to units that needed them until the introduction of 75 pattern, adopted as the GS rucksack (according to a UK government report) and the SAS/Para rucksacks. I've got a late 60s Bergen issued to a marine, who has used field dressings and black and nasty to pad the the corners of the frame where they dug into his hips.

[@badgertheskinnycow]

@@paulthompson3190 that is correct Paul (as described in - The Demise of 75 Pattern). And the design of the SAS Rucksack and the GS Bergen were both influenced by this bergen.

[@lesdavidson9594]

I'm lucky enough to have two of these, one is dated 1942 and has all the straps and two utility pouches that fit on the shoulder straps and one dated 1972. Far better than the 58 Pat and dare I say it the later GS Bergen...

[@jaws666]

For a pack that is 71 years old its in amazing condition

[@guerrillashadowman]

I’m lucky enough to own a 1943 green example complete with all straps and also a 60s example. Have carried 40+ lbs over 10 miles with my ‘43 dated bergen in recent years, just to get a small taste of how it would’ve been for British forces during ww2 using this equipment. Not the most comfortable rucksack by modern standards however I doubt many modern rucksacks would still be up to the job 70 odd years later.

[@Daan_2000]

Wouldn't these "removable straps" be just the regular p37 utility straps?

[@roberts1938]

No, these Bergen straps are longer than standard ones.

[@roberts1938]

I had a lot of such backpacks and now currently I keep 3 of them. I noticed that the earlier models were made of a sand-colored material, while the later models were made of a green tarpaulin. This was all confirmed by dates inside and outside the backpack. Depending on the manufacturer, the dates could be in different places. Additionally, the metal frame of the backpack was stamped in place riveted where it was riveted to the brenet hip band in this place with dates and a broad arrow stamp. This is what backpacks from World War II had. I have used this backpack and as a user I have mixed feelings. Yes, it is spacious. Later models have a rubberized layer inside, which makes the backpack waterproof to a certain extent. The biggest disadvantage is the webbing lap band. When the backpack is loaded with heavy equipment, this band cuts into the body near the kidneys. It becomes painful with prolonged use. Therefore, to relieve yourself, you need to lean forward. So when you see archival photos of soldiers with Bergen leaning forward, they probably carried heavy equipment for a long time and this position is the most comfortable. Otherwise you have terrible back pain.

[@GavTatu]

about 40 years ago, in our stores, i snaffled an original A frame bergen, with a bergen label inside. i literally can't remember what happened to it.

[@thegreyman6486]

Also seen in desert sand and a heavier canvas for use in the north african campaign and Greek islands used by the SRS and SAS in WW2, the Olive green versions after WW2 often had a rubber coating for use in Malaya and Borneo, Thanks for going through the details many features from these bergens carried over into the butyl nylon gs and sas/para bergen's in the mid 1970's. Excellent and much appreciated video, there was an assault vest in WW2 for use with this pack usually used by Bren gunners and their number 2's, the lid of these packs where sometimes used as mag bags by bren gunners namely Malayan scouts. Main memory of these packs was the need to wrap the horns when parachuting or it could be disasterous !

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, I always thought that our issue Bergen’s in the 60’s could have done with an addition parachute attachments for hooks, leg strap and rope. I did see a bergen adapted on a drop in Greece and had a quick shuffty at it prior to embarking, have thought about that particular example ever since. Cheers mate. Harera

[@roberts1938]

Backpacks with a rubberized coating inside were also produced during World War II. I had several with the dates 1944 and I kept one of them with the manufacturer's clear stamps in my collection.

[@Hew.Jarsol]

That was excellent. Having that lower front pouch was ahead of its time. Squaddies still use it on modded bergens like a poncho pouch! You can also see how the NI Patrol Pack copied the side pouches. I think that Danny Dyer Commando film featured these Bergens in Norway.

[@markdriver9170]

brilliant allways like to see large packs like this

[@borderlands6606]

Can only guess how much a wet one weighed.

[@steveforster9764]

Way better than the 58 pattern "Large" pack

[@jaws666]

The 58 "large pack" had the carrying capacity of a matchbox and was a complete joke

[@davidbrennan660]

Larry large pack.

[@badgertheskinnycow]

@@jaws666 it had another purpose so that is not a surprise. And the 1958 Field Pack did not replace this bergen which remained on limited issue as it always was.

[@jaws666]

@@badgertheskinnycow ever try carrying the "large pack" on excersise? ....if you truely did then you would know its NOT fit for purpose

[@badgertheskinnycow]

@@jaws666 I was an Infantry Soldier in the regs - so yes. The main problem with the 58 Pack was not the design - it was how it got used. The pack was intended and designed to be normally carried in either unit B vehicle transport or AFVs. The pack use as CEMO or marching order should have been a rare event and then only in a non-tactical situation. That's why the packing list for CEMO included a load of crap that you didn't really need in the field. Everything you needed to 'fight' for 24-48 hours was supposed to be on your CEFO. Listen to what Simon says about the 37 Pattern large pack at the start of this video - the principle was intended to be exactly the same for 1958 Pattern Pack. I only learnt this from original records upon 1958 Pattern design recently though.

[@ericj.w.ruijssenaars3421]

As a fan of vintage camping, I hope to find one of these excellent packs one day 🤠.

[@MooreLeather]

The glue on the flap may come off with Isopropyl Alcohol - or, even better, there is a product called Kumzoff that's designed to get rid of glue on shoe soles, etc. Some of the leather bits could possibly do with some treatment to keep them supple & stop them drying out more. Fiebings Mink Oil Paste is a good one and easy to use. Just as an FYI: the thinner webbing on the flap and pocket edges is called "binding". Rivets used on the frame construction and leather add-on loops are "hose rivets". The rivets holding the lower straps in place as well as the top D-ring are likely "bifurcated rivets". Missed one of these packs about 25 years ago at a market as I didn't have the money on me to afford the sellers asking price. At the end of the day he walked past me - to load it onto the van I thought - nope, straight into a crusher-skip & I was too late to stop him before the button was pressed and that was it destroyed. Typical market trader who made a living selling what he'd collected from house clearance jobs!! Not got an issue Bergen, not British anyway - that I can recall anyway - but I have a few different European types - Norwegian, a couple French versions, plus a couple of the different Swedish designs - and quite a few of the Finnish versions. Most have a similar layout but all with their own vagaries in construction and local fittings and different materials used in the construction. My favourites are the Swede M39 pack (due to easy availability - and my "tweak" that lets me use it without the frame too) plus standard model of Finnish pack - not issued with a frame; though I have some Finnish models that are framed designs. The pack that pre-dated the Swede M39 was a real cracker but the outbreak of WW2 meant it needed to be simplified for mass production so a lot of features were scrapped, resulting in a pocket-less single compartment rucksack (M39) with a lot of external loops to allow extras to be strapped on as needed; possibly a better idea all round....saves on material and manufacture time/cost, unloaded weight, etc.

[@highdownmartin]

There was a street trader in the Saturday market in Brighton, early eighties who would delightedly smash all the crockery he hadn’t sold to stop people like me going through the rubbish afterwards. The Cnut.

[@bill8784]

Wonderful piece of kit.

[@Frogboxer]

It looks like an instrument of torture but the shoulder straps are very comfortable, more so than the PLCE bergen's....carrying 70lbs. The hip strap can't have been used as is in the video, it does not hold the pack away from your body....the frame will just rub against your lower back....you need to put a pad in there.

[@Mick028]

This bought back memories of regimental adventure training in boys service circa 1967, the zipped pocket on the lid was always reserved for the emergency 24 hour of tin of chocolate, which incidentally tasted like shit. I nicked a tin from the cookhouse stores at Larkhill in 1969!

[@lonewandererbushcraftwildc6822]

The ladder buckles that the webbing threads through has a gap on each one. That was an early quick release system that saves alot of time in the field when the soldier needed to access something in a hurry so rather then thread the long webbing through the buckle to open it just squeeze the webbing strap & pull it through the gap. Try it not many people know or mention this feature

[@jonathanmimnagh8956]

Interesting how many features were still seen on the Bergans of the 1980s& 90s. Although the harness system had altered a lot. The general layout was quite close, big main compartment. Large side pockets. The lower outer pocket is similar to a split main compartment as well. The loose side straps could be used for ski equipment or tent poles?

[@clivedunning4317]

I've been told that the two spellings , BERGEN and BERGAN , are both correct. Anyone got any information about this and the reason for it ?

[@raybeazley9896]

The original manufacturer was a Norwegian man named Bergan. His company was Bergan's. The name of the rucksack eventually evolved into Bergen. And contrary to what some may say, the name has nothing to do with the Norwegian city Bergen.

[@oliverrobartes1352]

Would be good to see a video of the Bergen kitted out as they would’ve done.

[@SafetyProMalta]

I remember being given one of these as a kid and hating it! The leather gave on the top and I ended up binning it. Circa 1975. Edit: it had been camo'd by somebody with green and brown splodges.

[@David-rg8iy]

Got one but can't date it (no dates visible anywhere)a lot less leather reinforcement on mine & attachment to frame etc are only webbing straps not leather. Lid straps have been shortened unfortunately however a very nice bit of kit. Thinking it's a later cheaper version but hey I love it.

[@inregionecaecorum]

My dad had one of those, I can remember borrowing it once to take all my gear on holiday on my bike, it was very heavy compared to modern rucksacks, over engineered, not arf.

[@Thomachi]

Well, good to have my suspicions confirmed as to the purpose of the web straps at the shoulder straps.

[@jaws666]

How easy is this pack to find on the secondary market and what do they generally go for?

[@timp3931]

How about something on the Everest carrier? There is not much info on them on the internet.

[@althepal6818]

We rarely see pictures of soldiers with their rucksack on.

[@AlphawolfKing]

Anyone make a good reproduction of these?

[@grahamhorne6956]

Yes. GSE do for sale through Soldier of Fortune in Wales

[@olivier3847]

bergen means mountains in german (and dutch)...did they copy this from german mountain troop rucksacks?

[@Thomachi]

Bergen is a anglification of Bergans, the Norwegian rucksack and outdoor supply company. And that's where the inspiration for these British packs came from as well.

[@paulthompson3190]

The story goes that the original rucksacks were purchased from Bergans of Norway, who were a famous equipment maker pre WW2. They still make great clothing today.

[@rule3036]

Bergen was or is the name of a Norwegian outdoor kit manufacturer who made original rucksacks of this type used by H.M. forces , hence sqauddies called them " Bergens" because of the brand label. The name has stuck to mean large rucksack in British military terminology.