Basecamp Vintage & Archives

Vintage Military Rucksack Backpack

Posted on February 21, 2012February 22, 2012 by Rob Drews

Not quite sure about the origins of this pack, the colors would suggest to me German military, but the only distinguishable marking printed on the inside of the top flap reads “Decize” which is a town in France. The pack is made of heavy-weight Grey canvas with black leather trimmings and fittings.

The pack itself is very wide at 19 inches across the back, expandable by a few more inches via lace up expansions on the back sides. Two large cargo pockets on the sides and one front pocket all close via leather buckles. A draw string closes the top underneath a double buckle top flap. Finally another long leather belt runs from the top and buckles to the solid leather bottom.

Shoulder straps secure a metal external frame. The straps are adjustable by multiple buckles which create tension on a lower cross strap at the hips which keeps the frame from resting directly on the back. About a half inch of felted wool makes up the shoulder strap padding. One of the straps is breakable, a technique common to military packs allowing troops to slip out of them while in the prone position.

JanSport Internal Frame Backpack

Posted on February 16, 2012June 21, 2013 by Rob Drews

Early model JanSport internal frame multi-day pack. This bag is the first of its kind I’ve ever came across and I must say, an awesome piece. Constructed of heavy-duty Cordura, this pack features two main compartments. The upper compartment can be divided by a zippable partition and is accessible through the top flap. The second compartment is accessible from the right side bottom. Both compartments have a nylon gator with draw string and cord lock to keep the contents well protected from the elements.Rigidness comes from two flat aluminum or synthetic non removable bars spanning the length of the back panel.

For as much gear as can be carried on the inside of this pack, the external capabilities are ridiculous. This pack has various lashing squares spanning top to bottom making it possible to attach items to the top, front, bottom and sides.

The pack is carried using nicely, but not overly padded straps adjustable top and bottom and secured to the pack with a leather gusset on the back panel. The waist strap is integrated into the pack nicely and forms a nice support to keep weight off the shoulders.

No size tag, but believed to be a Med or Large. See measurements below:

Top of the straps of to the bottom of waist strap = 21″
Back Panel top to bottom 44.5 inches
Back Panel width at top of the straps = 8″
Back Panel width at bottom of the straps = 14

Red Wing Work Boots – Made in USA

Posted on February 16, 2012March 14, 2012 by Rob Drews

Nice older pair of Red Wing work boots. These boots have been cared for as evident in the oiled leather, not dried and cracking around the toe creases as you so often see. Feel and look like a nice old ball glove, great patina with lots of character. There’s the odd faint remnants of an L drawn with looks like a marker the likes of a sharpie Magnum on the right boot and an R on the left boot. Not sure if this served a work related purpose or was a practical joke by the guys friends.

These boots are NOT steel toe. They have a rubber storm welt and Vibram Soles. Double and triple stitched uppers in places using black and white thread intact through out booth boots. Normal scuffing ad scrapes on the heels and toes but no deep gouges or thin wearing areas.5 lower lace holes followed by 4 loops and a hole at the top. Laces are still usable, but I would replace them if I were keeping them. Single Made in the USA Red Wing tag in the right boot.

Tongue stamp 12 B 9G23121 below that there is more but all I can make out is 988.

Frostline 60/40 Mountain Parka

Posted on February 7, 2012March 14, 2012 by Rob Drews

Classic Frostline Kit 60/40 parka. This is the quintessential parka of the 70s and probably the basis for multiple modern copies. Good weight due to the double poly/cotton layer throughout. Green 60/40 shell with a lighter cotton blend interior in Tan. Two-way YKK zipper in black. Velcro closure on the storm flap, hip pockets, breast pockets and wrist cinch. Nylon draw cord through the hood and at the waist. Zippered back game pocket and inner game pocket.

Frostline Kits wear sold as sew-at-home packages during the 70s and early 80s. This allowed people to construct high quality gear at a fraction of the price (if the purchaser was or knew a capable sewer of course). This piece in particular is extremely well sewn.

This parka is still available, please contact for price and details.

Holubar Mountain Parka

Posted on February 3, 2012November 19, 2012 by Rob Drews

Original Holubar Parka from Boulder Colorado. This jacket features classic styling comprised of materials and craftsman ship that was top of the line in its day. It has clean lines that were innovative for the time evident in the pocket placement and yoke.

Cotton blend throughout, probably 60/40 poly cotton or similar. Double layer upper lined in gray. Very functional, well protecting 3 piece hood. Two-way heavy gauge YKK zipper and snap front closure. Drawstring waist cinch and Velcro cuff cinching. This thing also has pockets galore! two hip pockets with two left breast pockets (one zip one Velcro) and one right diagonal zip breast pocket. Also, one zippered back pocket.

This piece of outdoor equipment history is in good used shape with no holes, rips or obvious stains. Wear on the left front hip pocket flap and storm flap is not a stain but discoloration probably caused by friction from a pack waist strap. There’s also some light spots on the left shoulder back. Other than this the jacket is in great shape.

Size Medium. Measures:
23.75″ pit to pit
26″ pit to cuff
37″ top of zip to Hem (note the front comes up to cover ones nose when full zipped with the hood on)
32″ neck to cuff

Chippewa USA Crepe Sole Chukka Boots

Posted on February 3, 2012March 14, 2012 by Rob Drews

Vintage Chippewa USA 3-hole chukka boots. These boots consist of a basic two-piece split leather upper welted to a neoprene oil resistant sole. The tongue is gusseted to the boot sides making the boot more weather resistant.

Older black label containing Chippewa Falls, Wis sewn to right tongue. Other markings inside include the following:

8D 9944
4025

Widerness Experience Carry-On Bag

Posted on January 26, 2012October 14, 2013 by Rob Drews

This bag has a classic look constructed of Cordura with leather trimmings. Designed and made well before laptops, this bag would make a great carrying case for our time. The main compartment houses an internal pocket. Two front pockets, the inner top zip and the outer front zip. There is also one top entry map pocket with leather strap belt on the back side. Handel consists of two cotton web straps that join at the top via a soft leather snap-close sheath. D-rings at either end support a shoulder strap – NOT included.

This bag is in usable shape. All zippers work and stitching is intact. The bag shows its age in some dark spots on the front back and bottom, I’ve tried my best to capture this in the photos. This bag is a little darker shade of red than it appears in the photos, almost Burgundy. The cotton strap is also a little frayed at the top but still holds strong. Leather piping around the front is also scuffed. Not sure if this bag could be dry cleaned but might clean up if so.

Offered for everyday use or appreciation by collectors of fine labels.

Wilderness Experience was started by a former employee of Kelty in 1973. For great insight into the Wilderness Experience brand visit this link

Main compartment measures
14.5 inches across
4.75 inches deep
12 inches tall.

Levi’s Selvedge 501xx – Small e

Posted on January 26, 2012June 5, 2013 by Rob Drews

70s? Levi’s 501xx redline selvedge denim jeans. Double stitched back and coin pocket, Two sided Levi’s small e tag.

Top button marked with the number 6, no other buttons marked. Rear paper tag missing. Inside the pocket silver rivet backs read L.S.& Co- S.F-. Outside copper rivets read the same. Button fly Buttons read LEVI STRAUSS & CO S.F. CAL

actual measurements:
Inseam 2.25 inches
waist 32 inches

Lowa Climbing Boots Mens 5 1/2 N – Womens 7

Posted on January 18, 2012October 14, 2013 by Rob Drews

This pair of German made Lowa heavy duty climbing boots is currently for sale on the Basecamp Vintage Etsy Store.

These boots have some superfluous scratching and markings on the uppers but that’s about the extent of the wear. Exterior leather on the uppers shows no stress points, cracks, gouges or other serious weathering. A gusseted single tongue keeps the weather out when laced via the swivel rings and hooks with candy cane laces.

Inside the boots are fully lined with soft full-grain leather. The shaft has a layer of padding sandwiched between inner and outer for comfort. Soft padded cuff at the top of the shaft is in great shape with no cracking. Previous owner’s name has been blacked out with marker but other wise insides are very clean and odor free. There is a lightly padded insole also in nice shape.

The double stitched welt is in great condition with no broken stitches or separation between the boot and sole. Attached is a fine Vibram Montagna Italian made lugged sole. The sole shows very little signs of wear save for the few pebbles living within its grasp since the boots were last used.

There are a few great attributes about these boots one can really appreciate. My personal favorite is that the entire upper (minus the tongue) is made from a single piece of leather. This pieces is fused by two double stitched seems on the inner side of the boot. One of the greatest seems on a boot I’ve ever seen.

Very nice patina on these boots as is but they could really use a rub of Lederbalsm before being put back into service.

Inside these boots are stamped N 5 1/2 0542
Please note these boots may differ from a typical US size 5 1/2, check measurements below.

Insole measures:
9 5/8 inches heel to toe
3 1/4 inches wide at ball of foot

Outside of the boot measures:
approx 10 3/8 inches heel to toe

Shaft Height:
6 1/4 inches from welt

Fostline Kit Anorak Parka

Posted on January 16, 2012January 16, 2012 by Rob Drews

The Colorado sew-it-yourself kit company Frostline churned out dozens upon dozens of patterns throughout the 70s and 80s. This 60/40 Anorak Parka is a great example of how these affordable kits, when constructed properly resulted in beautiful, technical pieces as good as any others on the market at that time.

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