Objects Database

'Bergan' rucksack

Accession Number

849.2010.1

Object Name

'Bergan' rucksack

Created

25/10/2010

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

25/10/2010

Brief Description

Green and grey rucksack with two deep side pockets and a zipped pocket inside the top cover. A metal frame and leather straps with metal buckles. Cotton drawstring.

Materials

canvas, leather, metal

Dimensions

66(h) x 33(w) x 18(d) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

A shield shape and below the letters 'HAEREN 14373/1968'stamped on the back of the rucksack.

Colour

green, grey

Maker

possibly Bergan of Norway

Object Production Place

Norway

Provenance

The shield logo and the word Haeren on this rucksack tell us that it is Norwegian. 'Haeren' means 'the army' in Norwegian and the shield is the Norwegian equivalent of the British Army's arrow symbol of yesteryear.
Mick Tighe bought this, mint condition, version for 20 kroner in Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands in 2010 having previously owned, used, and lost a very similar one as a young Royal Marine back in the 1980's.
We reckon these rucksacks would have been made for the Norwegian Army in the 1960's as they were in almost universal use in the 1970's and 1980's.The serial number finishing with 1968 would seem to confirm this. Though it is only a guess, there's a fair chance that 'Bergan' the famous Norwegian rucksack manufacturer, would have made them to some sort of military specification - they are certainly of a very high quality. Whether or not it was made by 'Bergan' it was called a 'Bergan' the word having become generic for all types of metal framed rucksacks from that era, whoever the manufacturer, in the same way as we call most vacuum cleaners 'Hoovers'
Rumour has it that Burt Lancaster wore a rucksack like this in the 'Heroes of Telemark'!

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

25/10/2010

Condition

mint

Condition Check Date

25/10/2010

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

25/10/2010

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