Luftwaffe m31 Rucksack

The most basic and mandatory equipment for Luftwaffe Reenactors

Reproduction of the Luftwaffe m31 rucksack was one of the most requested equipment in 2018, because how else would you carry your equipment and rations to and from your event, in the most realistic manner?  

Update 8 - Preorders dispatched! More available from stock!

All preorders have now been dispatched to our clients. We are now selling rucksacks with black and brown straps from stock.

Update 7- Project is ready. Pending delivery

Whilst the COVID-19 didn't impact the already delayed product, we are happy to announce that the bags are now finished. We have given the options of black or brown straps to those who have preordered, and now you can purchase the final product in either of these variants.

Orders placed now will dispatch late June or early July, as there are heavy delays of shipments worldwide.

Update 6 - huge update for the new year

No metal parts from the market were good enough for our project. That is why we have commissioned expedited work to reproduce all 9 types of metal parts for this project. Not only that, but we've also decided to offer the rucksacks with both black and brown leather (selection will be available prior to dispatch). The full grain leather has been made with a mold to facilitate the insertion of leather straps, just like the originals.

Finally, check out the new images of the current work in progress.

Update 5 - Delivery date

Everyone is super excited about these bags and want them ready yesterday. I have mailbox full of questions on the expected delivery dates.

I want to make it clear that the original delivery date was 3 months after the project is funded. We are aiming to keep to this delivery date as much as possible and have them ready in September 2019 March 2020. Stay tuned on this page for updates about the project.

Update 4 - Pre-order is over

We're delighted to have made it to have superseded the 50 packs mark and to make this product a reality. We will keep you posted with updates as soon as we have them. If you've missed the preorder, you can still order the rucksacks at the full retail price and secure your place for when these are ready.

Update 3 - Going to production?

10 days to go before the end of the campaign and still receiving preorders. We're a bit far off from securing 100 rucksacks but here's another deal:

If we reach preorder of 50 rucksacks, we will take an even greater risk and still produce the rucksacks. We believe that there truly is the need for these rucksacks to take reenacting to the next level. Even if we reduce the order quantity, the cost of the tooling is still the same. Therefore, the final retail price for those who will buy after the campaign will be higher than €97.45 + VAT.

There's no alternative to these and no other supplier will take on this project due to the very complex construction and range of different hardware. Help us help you in this project that is truly from reenactor to another.

If you want to secure the best price, preorder now!

#Update 2 - Leather Quality

Some have been asking about the type of leather that these rucksacks will have. The final production will have the traditional cow leather that is copied exactly from our originals.

The leather parts in the sample picture is waxed saddle leather with an antique finish. This is NOT the leather we will use in the final version butt his was readily available at the time of sample construction. We will buy the vegetable tanned cow leather as soon as we reach the 100 preorders.

#Update 1 - How will the back-straps be constructed. 

The sewn-in carrying straps will have the correct construction, which tapers to a narrower width for the buckled hooks. The rivets which serve to attach the auxiliary straps to the main straps will also present. Straps construction and function will be 100% as per original.

Situation Today

The dedicated reenactors today rely on original Luftwaffe rucksacks, but after 80 years, they are well past their serviceability. Every event attended is a gamble on whether the leather parts will handle the stress or fail

Original Luftwaffe rucksacks in good condition are starting to fetch relatively higher prices on the market to what they used to a few years back. Where alternatives are available, we believe that original militaria should not be used. Luftwaffe Supplies is offering the possibility a real alternative.  

The Plan

If at Luftwaffe Supplies, we are going to engage seriously in making this reproduction, we want to make it as authentic as possible to look and be capable of holding the range of Luftwaffe uniforms and gear that goes into the backpack. 

From the pictures of the pre-production sample, one can note that we have sourced the right weight and colour of the canvas fabric. Cow leather for the tightening straps and shoulder straps will be improved to the right thickness and quality. But the trickiest part is definitely the metal hardware. 

The m31 Luftwaffe rucksack is constructed with no less than 8 different types of metal parts. These are not all available easily. and the most effective way of sourcing them accurately, and in a cost-effective manner is to commission the manufacturing in bulk. Each type requires the creation of a mould, before we can start producing the actual hardware in the minimum order quantity, which is a thousand. This is perhaps the biggest expense that puts the project at risk.

We want to make sure that we are addressing the biggest need in the reenactment community. We also don't want to overprice the bag in case there's not enough requests. Thus, the fairest approach for all is to hold production until we have at least 100 orders of Luftwaffe Rucksacks. 

If we don't reach this target by 19th May, then we will have to shelf this and revert to other projects that are more in tune with what the community requires. All preorders will be refunded after the termination of the campaign.

The price

To thank the pioneers who are helping us fund this project early, the price will be €80.50 + VAT instead of the retail €97.45 + VAT). You can feel good about your commitment to the rest of the community so that more reenactors can benefit from the practicality that a Luftwaffe Rucksacks can offer.

On top of that, the first 20 early-birds, will get these Luftwaffe rucksacks at €69.00 + VAT 

All pre-orders will get 10% discount on the Fallschirmjager Green Jump smocks that we will be launching very soon. (Discount code will be sent right before the smocks are available for preorder) 

The Launch Plan

As soon as 100 rucksacks are pre-ordered, then will immediately initiate the manufacturing of hardware and purchase of leather and canvas. 

The entire process from initiation to completion is 3 months, with an additional 2 weeks buffer for shipping and packing of the bags. After one month, we will share photos of the production version.

The History

The Luftwaffe rucksack with leather straps was unique at the time it was designed. Whilst the exigencies of a backpack for the German airman was quite similar to those of other branches, the approach in construction and wear different.

The Luftwaffe rucksack is made entirely of blue strong canvas. As the Luftwaffe Y-straps were of the lightweight type, without D-rings, these were issued with non-removable cow-hide leather straps, unlike the "affe" style backpacks used by the Army. 

Ever since the inception of the Air branch of the Wehrmacht, The Luftwaffe have designed several uniforms and gear that were different from those of other branches. The rucksack was no exception.