Did a wartime pack same pattern as this post-war example exist? I only know of the ones that look fairly similar but have 2 front pockets and a smaller lid with one strap.
No, not really. That one looks to be Swiss? They may have used that pattern but the Germans didn't.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Thanks. Googling for Swiss backpacks that one comes up.
Oh well. Not crucial for my impression at all, just would have been nice to have something with a period look to carry kit in.
I'm sure they are period just not german???
Still handy for lugging kit in.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
That's a way of looking at it, I suppose. I'll see if the seller will let it go cheap. Might dye it to closer resemble a German ruck.
have you seen the austrian or Swedish rucksacks? There are a few of CiA that have these.
Not perfect, but handy for carrying kit and cheap
The Austrian pack is probably the closest to the proper german ones but these now seem to be scarce. I have one of these and it is pretty good. It attaches directly to the Y-straps which is both good and bad i guess. I got mine a few years back for about £8 but no-one seems to have them anymore.
The swedish 40l frame ruck looks to be pretty good and they are available for under a tenner. I think lots of the players for Jedburgh have brought these 
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942
The Austrian pack is probably the closest to the proper german ones but these now seem to be scarce.
Really? Maybe CiA members bought the available stock, i've got two of these 
The swedish 40l frame ruck looks to be pretty good and they are available for under a tenner. I think lots of the players for Jedburgh have brought these
I've one of these also, it's 'framed' so unlike German military rucksacks - but doesn't look too out of place and can be used by both Allied and Axis.
I also have a couple of original rucksacks - a Tropical and a late war one which the Austrian ones are very similar too.
The post war Czech rucksacks are not a mile from the German design.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
The post war Czech rucksacks are not a mile from the German design.
I have one of those too 
Yeah pretty close to german tropical rucksacks.
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942