1944 British Bergen in green canvas with leather accents as adopted for use by Belgian personnel operating in the Congo circa 1960s during the notorious rebellions. We came across a very small lot of these and other uniform items like the scarce Belgian tropical hats similar to the French Mle 49 hats. All of the items were stored properly and UNISSUED ! The canvas and leather accents throughout the Bergen are in excellent shape with no dry rot. This is a very rare opportunity to obtain a classic 'old style' Bergen in unissued condition.
The 'Bergen' , which is an interchangeable term akin to Rucksack or Backpack , in the British , Norwegian, Swiss & French armies etc., has a very strong tubular steel frame with canvas hip band
for placing the lower weight of the pack against your back without the jarring pain of a frame on your lower vertebra & hip. Notable change of this pack from the 1944 issue British Bergen', is the addition of two loop hand straps about 5" long (one on each side of the shoulder strap, instead of the wide pattern37 attachment strap. Likewise, there is a large accessory tie down strap on each side of the pack, just above the side compartments. As with the original British pack , the interior of the main compartment has a 'water proof' coating. The main flap has an internal zippered pocket.
