Gerry Rucksack with Fiberglass Back Board

Posted on by Rob Drews

This is an early Gerry rucksack. As I’ve probably mentioned in other posts, the earliest outdoor gear was simply repurposed military surplus and this bag shares many characteristics.  Beyond the olive drab nylon the bag resembles very much a European military pack. Specifically one from a company called Bergans of Norway , which was made of more traditional materials, canvas and leather.

Though the design itself may not have been revolutionary or visionary the removable lightweight back panel is.  I believe the panel to be made of fiberglass, but may just be something similar. The removable panel replaces metal support systems used on earlier packs. The updated support system with the use of lightweight nylon saved this traditional design many extra pounds.

 

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1960s Moncler Lionel Terray Duvet Down Coat

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage 1960s Lionel Terray Moncler Duvet Down Coat

While Gerry Cunningham lead the “warmth without the weight” down movement here in the states,  the Moncler company followed suit on the other side of the Atlantic. The company founded in 1952 enlisted the help of famed explorer Lionel Terray to help with the design of its expedition weight jackets in early 1960s. The result is what you see here.

This particular coat was found with a coyote fur hood liner which was a later add. It had button holes around the edges for attachment to a NB-3 or similar military parka. Given the condition of the fur, which appeared to have been laundered, I decided to remove it and bring the jacket back to original. A solution of baking soda and water was applied to the heavily soiled areas around the collar cuffs and front and left to soak in the tub. You’ll see in the pictures the incredible amount of dirt that was released.  The coat was then agitated by hand and rinsed thoroughly.

These coats contain a great deal of down giving them the loft needed to sustain the wearer in arctic conditions. The two rows of snaps allow for an adjustable fit in order to accommodate varying layers of clothing underneath.  Zippers are not used as thy can be a hassle in arctic temperatures and a malfunction of one would be a pretty grim reality in the cold. The coat also does not have any pockets which could become filled with snow and create compromised areas for which the cold can make its way in. Candidly speaking, I rather enjoy having accessible pockets in my coat. See my post on the later REI Expedition Down Coat for comparison.

Gerry Vagabond Back Pack

Posted on by Rob Drews
Gerry Vagabond Backpack

Late 1960s early 70s model Gerry Vagabond Pack. This is the pack that help solidified Gerry’s role in the outdoor sports manufacturing industry. The design was applied to frame packs and became an icon and a signature style. Whether you’re a fan or not of the horizontal pockets comes down to personal preference I suppose. While allowing for maximum compartmentalized storage and organization the pockets were somewhat limiting of the objects that could fit within.

This pack is an earlier model as denoted by the Gerry Boulder, Colorado logo, Coats & Clark zippers and the very interesting straps. These are unlike any other’s I’ve seen. Nylon straps with a foam pad. The pads are coated like that of a floatation device and adjustable on the strap to provide a good comfort level.  The “wish bone” style pack support is removable and is secured by three snap anchor points.

This model pack was one of several featured in issue five of Backpacker Magazine (1974) and received good marks.

 

Gerry Nylon Parka

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage Gerry Nylon Parka

Gerry “Lightweight Camping Equipment” label era parka. This lightweight nylon shell features a double layer upper extending through the hood, halfway down the sleeves and to the waist. Also features waist and hood nylon draw cords. Double chest pockets. Clarks Coats zipper.  Estimated late 60s early 70s manufacture date. 

Small Gerry Day Pack

Posted on by Rob Drews
Small Vintage Gerry Day Pack

Neat little late 70s early 80s Gerry day pack. Single main top zip compartment with leather pull-stays. Front zip bellowed compartment. Single contrasting blue seat belt webbing shoulder strap with gold nylon lower strap. Perfect for packing in your overnight bag for a day trip.

Measures about:
15″ high
11″ wide at bottom
7.5″ wide at top
5″ deep

Gerry leather Bottom Day Pack

Posted on by Rob Drews
Gerry leather Bottom Day Pack

Early to mid 70s Gerry leather bottom backpack. Two compartments, stacked in the so-called “tear drop” fashion. Sturdy strap construction with thick padded shoulder straps and large D ring /leather top attachment. This model could be considered transitional from the earlier era of felt padded and leather straps. Front lashing with original nylon strap for holding poles or axes. Waist strap features the innovative Gerry two-pronged buckle.

Gerry External Frame Backpack – Early, Leather Bottom Model- Boulder, CO

Posted on by Rob Drews
Vintage Gerry External Frame Backpack - Early Leather Bottom - Boulder, Co - Med

Early Gerry external frame pack. This pack bears the Gerry Boulder, Colorado label and denotes production prior to the company being purchased by Outdoor Sports Corporation. This pack exhibits many of the common traits that came to dominate external frame pack construction in the 1970s up through the 1980s, but has its differences. The white leather bottom for instance is a great touch and common for construction of day packs which are often sat on the ground, but the added weight of the leather and lack of need for a toughened bottom would mean it was a feature not built to last. Secondly the one main compartment could make getting to what you needed on the trail difficult if packed incorrectly. This one large compartment construction would soon give way to more compartmentalized construction. (Gerry’s later Vagabond pack would take compartmentalized to whole new levels). The primitive waist strap is also an area later designs would improve upon. Though this bag does feature the patented buckle design it bolts directly to the frame and does not form a full padded belt. This is before the notion of “shoulder the load with your hips”

Beyond its shortcomings the pack is still beautifully designed and constructed. There are four canister style side pockets with leather pull tabs (missing on one). The bag is constructed of 100% nylon which was probably still somewhat exotic in its time. Padded shoulder straps. There’s also a pretty ingenious handle built into the frame.

The label is marked ‘Second’ meaning they found there was something wrong enough with it to not be sold as new, or possibly it was a prototype model later sold as a second. A small tag above the label has it sized a medium. Definitely a cool bag for any collection or use for its intended purpose.

1960s Gerry Single-man Backpacking Tent

Posted on by Rob Drews

Gerry Cunningham is arguably the father of light weight camping and that’s the slogan used on this 1960s single man tent. The company he founded lived light weight, innovation and quality and proudly displayed this on their products, books and in their marketing. “warmth without the weight” is another slogan displayed on products of this era.

This innovative-for-its day tent is constructed using piece-together aluminum poles, two front, and one rear. The poles do not use shock cords. Front poles fit into a looped cross member at front and grommets in the rear. The tent goes up easily, but is not free-standing like later dome tents so it’s staked down at the corners and with front and rear guy lines. Includes rain fly and has a front vestibule on the tent body making it good for three or four seasons depending on the type of climate the user was in.

It packs up small at just over 12 inches in length and weighing approximately 5 lbs. Constructed it measures approximately:

78″ long
48″ wide
43″ high at front

Early Gerry Ruck Sack

Posted on by Rob Drews

I will preface by saying this pack contains no makers markings, tags or labels. It is believed to be from early outdoor gear manufacturer Gerry based on certain characteristics.

It wasn’t until the end of the second World War, when GIs returning from the European campaign settled rejoined the fabric of american life that outdoor exploration as a true hobby and leisure exercise really begin to gain a foothold in the United States.  campaigns in the Alps and Pyrenees along with  exposure to cultures that had survived and thrived in these areas provided some soldiers with a taste for the alpine life when their tour was over. Purpose built military gear provided the basis for these new adventure’s kit.  Modifications for civilian use at some point became drastic enough that an entirely new piece of equipment was created and their creators found business in doing so.

In this pack you can see the lineage of its predecessors.  Even with in this blog you can find examples of Swiss and other military packs of which this bag shares many characteristics. Heavy canvas has been replaced by lighter nylon blended material and  excess hardware associated with military use has been eliminated. The items that work remain; leather shoulder straps affixed with nuts and screws,  main compartment with external pockets for stowing items that need be readily available.  And OD Green, hey, it works and why would anyone want to stray from earth tones any way?

This pack’s tear drop shape, side compartments and top flap are consistent with another pack designed by the Gerry company in the early 60s featured on this blog here. In particular the way the top flap is secured by cords through nylon lashings and knotted. Gerry’s Gerry Cunningham was one of the earliest designer and manufacturer of commercial mountaineering and outdoor goods starting the company in 1946 after leaving the military. Since that time the company has gone through many changes and owners. Its most current incarnation can be seen at www.gerryoutdoors.com.

Gerry Down Gloves

Posted on by Rob Drews
Gerry Down Gloves - Mittens

Great pair of vintage Gerry down filled mittens. Nylon shell, Gerry’s  down filling gives you the “warmth without the weight”. Full leather palm.  Nice elastic cuff.  Tag on the bottom of each palm reads: 100% Nylon Small.

The mittens may have been sold as part of a cold weather under garment set that included down filled bottoms, top and slippers.