WH M44 Model back-pack

Wehrmacht Artillery M44 model back-pack (‘Artillerierücksack’) executed in green coloured cotton, intended and developed to replace the ‘Sturmgepäck’. During the war the early M34 and M39 Affe backpacks were found to be too expensive and time consuming to produce which resulted in the production of a wide variety of less expensive canvas construction combat rucksacks and backpacks. The back-pack is executed in greenish, ‘heavy-duty’ cotton and has a rounded closing flap. The back shows the four specific hooks (identical as those found on the ‘Sturmgepäcke’) which could be ‘hooked-in’ on the standard ‘Y-straps, making them handy back-packs. The piece has two (50 cms. long) leather ‘Roller-buckle’ straps attached, intended to affix the shelter-half (or ‘Zeltbahn’) and poles/herrings. There is also an affixed ‘inner-pouch’ (closed by means of a leather strap), intended to hold some private items, like towels etc. Unmarked example. Near mint condition!