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1VNP-1. The M52 Mountain Rucksack was one of the most important pieces of equipment for the Special Forces soldier and became, sort of, the unofficial, “symbol,” of the U.S. Special Forces. Because the individual SF soldier spent extended periods of time in the bush and was not conveniently supplied, he had to carry what he needed on his back. The M52 Mountain Rucksack is a very large, heavyweight, dark olive green cotton canvas rucksack consisting of a large main pack with a nylon drawstring closure and additional smaller pockets sewn on each side and front; the top flap cover for the main pack has a large, “Conmar,” zipper compartment that is convenient for storage of maps and frequently used items; the flap has a moderately strong “ U.S.” stamp. The top flap and pocket flaps are secured with, thick, flesh colored leather straps and black painted metal buckles; there are several web tabs, with double metal grommets, for attaching additional useful equipment, such as, bayonet, entrenching tool and canteens. The pack has, semi-padded, cotton and cotton web shoulder straps with metal “D” rings. The top backside of the pack has a heavy russet leather fitting that firmly secures the pack to its lightweight tubular metal frame, which has a 2-7/8-inch wide, padded cotton, lower back comfort strap and waist strap; the pack is complete with all its original straps and hardware, as well as an additional strap to secure a rifle to the frame; this extra strap is almost always missing from the pack. The large flap cover is marked, on the inside, “Rucksack, M1952, Type I, DSA 1-2364-63-E, 4865-261-6931, (the 63 is the date).” The pack is not faded, worn, ripped or torn; there is however, one near moderate “chew” mark, (nothing seriously detracting and nearly unnoticeable), on one of the main flap straps, and some extremely minor storage soil, as well as very minor, and insignificant signs of age to the paint, in some spots, on the frame, simply from handling and storage. The black paint on the buckles is lightly worn and flaked from age but still 99% intact; overall the pack is in excellent+ condition. The early M1952 Special Forces mountain pack is almost never encountered in this condition; this example has the additional attraction of being Vietnam War dated, “63.” This pack is described in the Special Forces Equipment section of the book, “1952 – 1982 Special Forces of the United States Army,” by LTC. Ian D.W. Southerland, (Ret). An excellent+ condition pack that would be an enhancement to any Vietnam/Special Forces collection. The very minor “chew” mark is significantly over shadowed by the overall excellent+ condition of this pack; a real beauty, one of the best you will ever be able to find. SCARCE. Unused. $125.00 SOLD

1VNP-1a. Same description as above; Rucksack, M1952, “Type I, DSA 1-2364-63-E, 4865-261-6931, (the 63 is the date).” The pack is not faded, worn, ripped or torn; except, there is one moderately frayed hole, about 3/8-inch diameter, above the right side pocket, some minor storage soil on the backside, as well as light age and light surface rust, in some spots, on the metal frame, some of which has transferred onto the canvas, in some spots, on the back side, (nothing of a serious nature). Overall the pack is in excellent condition. The early M1952 Special Forces mountain pack is almost never encountered in this condition; this example has the additional attraction of being Vietnam War dated, “63.” This pack is described in the Special Forces Equipment section of the book, “1952 – 1982 Special Forces of the United States Army,” by LTC. Ian D.W. Southerland, (Ret). An excellent condition pack that would be an enhancement to any Vietnam/Special Forces collection. The very few minor detractions are over shadowed by the overall excellent condition of this pack; a real beauty, one of the best you will ever be able to find. SCARCE. Unused. $110.00 SOLD

1VNP-2. Constructed of heavy olive green canvas duck material with slightly lighter color trim. Heavy stitching and blackened rivet reinforced construction throughout. Blackened snap flap closure with leather reinforcing inside. Exterior has tab for attaching bayonet and snap tab to secure bayonet scabbard; double Alice clips on backside. Front is clearly stamped “US,” reverse clearly marked, “Carrier Entrenching Tool, M-1956 Contract No. DSA-100-67C-0103, FSN-8465-542-5842.” You’d be very hard pressed to find a better one. Beautiful, near mint, condition. Unissued.  $24.00 

1VNP-3. Olive green canvas “Butt Pack” widely used during the Vietnam War. Designed to be attached to the back of the pistol belt with the use of two ALICE clips and attached to the back two snaps of the combat harness to distribute weight. Inside flap marked, “Field Pack, Canvas, DSA 100-70-C-0453, 8465-823-7622, Eastern Canvas Products.” Strong “US” printed on front flap. All metal hardware near mint condition, retaining 99% of the original black finish. All straps, internal waterproof lining and plastic window intact.  A few very small and insignificant spots on the bottom panel, otherwise the pack does not appear to have ever been used and is in excellent++ condition. A beautiful example. $26.00 SOLD

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