Canvas Berghaus Crusader

[addo]

hiya, hmmm, didn't realise the pouches were incompatiable on crusader, well, that gives me something to trawl the web, ebay and surplus shops for! dating the bergen was easy, just walked over and asked her her name with a drink in my hand! lol sorry, couldn't resist!
easy peazy, label is still very clear and attached insdie the snow lock. here it is below...

its had a very thorough bath this afternoon and is looking a bit better!

Mines circa 1984 too.

My first crusader was also. As far as pouches go for that one I bought the PLCE ones with the yoke second hand from Springfields for £18. Then a pair of old broken british army canvas gaters for £1, and swapped the zips. They then fit your crusader. They're even almost the same length. Check zips first though to make sure they are the older type and that if broken its the material not the zip.

 

[torc]

Here is another bit of information about the LA/Vector Commando.
This guy (http://www.fianoglach.ie/unithistory.html) says that the pack was part designed by the Irish SF.

Quote- " Contacts were made with a local Irish firm to design and manufacture and load carrying pack with a detachable waist belt with extra pouches for ammunition and room for the rangers secondary weapon" (sic).

I can't vouch for the veracity of his statement but LA's factory in Tullamore is only a 30 minute drive from their home barracks and the DOD would want to support local industry.
Happy trails...torc.

 

[Twodogs]

Good stuff Torc another bit of bergen history
Twodogs

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

Yep Old (mk 2) and New (mk 3) Bergbuckles will work if mixed...

The original mk 1 Bergbuckle will not work with the later buckles...

HTH

John

just got the bergbuckle in the post, it is a later black one they have sent but as you said clips straight into the older female part on the waistband! result! dead impressed with that service.

 

[johnboy]

For todays entertainment we have the lowe alpine pathfinder ,

Thanks to Neil for mincing about with this pack for me
Twodogs

Hi Cliff,

Very nice.... It seems to have a lot of the features of the VC.

Have you used the DPM Crusader in anger yet??

Cheers

John

 

[Twodogs]

Not yet mate used the pathfinder last weekend ,

Today we have another lowe alpine pack part of the series of packs made for the Dutch Military the Saracen on issue to the Dutch Marines and Air mobile , big pack 100 litres main and two 10 litre side poochs ,

Modeled by Dave Muddy boots known as young Indiana for some reason

Molle straps on the main pack ,

Adjustable back system ,

Zip off side poochs to make a patrol pack ,

Very handy large top pooch with zips at both ends ,

Foating lid and straps for under lid storage

Pocket on the base of main pooch , handy for bivi poles

Zipped base for light gear i.e Sleeping bag at base of pack ,

Saracen and Pathfinder

Saracen , Pathfinder and K9s high milage Vulcan

This Saracen was brought by Dave from Endicotts , nice one mate
Twodogs

 

[sasquatch]

It's great to see this thread still going strong, thanks to everybody sharing their bergen pics!

 

[johnboy]

Pocket on the base of main pooch , handy for bivi poles

Do I detect a modification with the addition of a Bergbuckle to the waist belt??

Nice Bergen.... I like that Lid pooch arrangement a lot...

 

[Twodogs]

I dont know what Dave has done but ones just gone on the Pathfinder

 

[Twodogs]

I did read that the Dutch had Berghaus Vulcan before the Saracen and had there own vertion of the Bergbuckle made up .
Twosocks

 

[GordonM]

Saracen and Pathfinder

Good view of the PALS and ALICE attachment webbing.

Gordy

 

[GordonM]

One for the era and appropriate for the large ALICE...Police - "King of Pain"!

Here is my only surplus ruck...

The rucksack and I'm guessing about 25 liters. You can add pouches if wanted. Internal hydro bladder pocket, sewn-in equipment tie down straps, the integral external pocket has a draw cord and an inner pocket w / velcro flap.

The shoulder straps and sternum strap.

The wearer's right side.

The left view.

Top back view. The shoulder straps can be placed in two locations, carrying handle, lashing straps and the clam shell zip pulls.

Left side view with pouches removed exposes the PALS webbing. The cover for the aerial whip / drink tube port is opened.

The bottom of the ruck with drain holes and lash points.

Gordy

 

[MrEd]

looks pretty good that pack, well thought out. whats it like comfort wise?

 

[nolightweight]

Nice one, Gordy.

Do you use it much?

I've had a couple of items made by Speciality Defence Systems and they were very well made. Messed around with the Hellcat mod Alice/Molle II pack for a short while.

 

[GordonM]

MrEd - To me, it is about the same comfort wise, as the other day packs I own. I like it.

Neil - I have used it on all of my deer hunting trips in the last four years. Our deer seasons start in early October and run through December. I use it heavily during that time frame but not much otherwise.

Gordy

 

[Twodogs]

Nice one Gordy that looks a very usefull pack
Twodogs

 

[MartinK9]

Great thread Gents.

 

[johnboy]

Hi ALICE fans....

Well I went and climbed Mt Ngauruhoe on Sunday for a bit of a leg stretch...

I saw this bloke on the way.... He seems like an ALICE fan as well.

 

[GordonM]

Johnboy - Good piccy of the medium ALICE without frame. That setup is actually very good and was made to allow attachment of the shoulder straps to the pack, minus the frame. I used this setup in all of my ROTC / pre-commissioning training and liked it. The large ALICE had no way to attach the shoulder straps to the pack, minus the frame. I'll keep my eye out for a medium ALICE without frame, at the gun show this coming weekend.

Gordy

 

[johnboy]

Johnboy - Good piccy of the medium ALICE without frame. That setup is actually very good and was made to allow attachment of the shoulder straps to the pack, minus the frame. I used this setup in all of my ROTC / pre-commissioning training and liked it. The large ALICE had no way to attach the shoulder straps to the pack, minus the frame. I'll keep my eye out for a medium ALICE without frame, at the gun show this coming weekend.

Gordy

Thanks Gordy,

The guy using it seemed happy enough... His choice of clothing colous made him blend into the surrounding terrain quite well. Sand / Green for the tussock and rocks and the grey top matches the Tephra and Volcanic sand quite well...

I'm banking on him being a US visitor to NZ. The Merrells and the pack give it away. The NZ Army never issued the medium ALICE especially not a US marked one and they are hard to find here as surplus. Also that model of Merrell Shoe is not that common in NZ either...

All good fun...

Cheers

John