M39 backpack help

[RedBlitz]

What do you think about this M39?
Is it fake or real one modified post war?
1943 stamp?


Regards from Brazil

[september1939]

look ok to me

[bourguignotte]

Hello,

The bag looks good but the suspenders doesn't look to be the originals ones

Additional photos would help as it alos seems some leather elements may be missing.

Bruno

[Tomasz70]

Honestly speaking, I can hardly imagine that Soviet industry produced equipment of such a quality in 1943! Lot of leather (even straps!), felt lining, etc. And another question - did Soviet industry maintain production of M-36 Knapsack, M-39 Rucksack and M-41 Rucksack after 1941?
In my opinion - definitively no.
Not only those models were withdrawn from production, but it was very hardly to find existing examples in the field. The Vesh Meshok became a standard model as a major part of pre-war equipment were lost in critical battles of 1941.
So, as the rucksack looks quite ok, the wright answer is - the stamp indicates 1940, the final stage of production.

P.S. The specific aroma of an antic item cannot be faked easily. Just smell it. If it does not smell specifically, your doubts would not be dispelled. But still, it looks good.

[Fabe]

good advice! it has to have the "smell of war"

[Dom]

Bruno's remark is relevant, we clearly see that the shoulder straps are not originally fitted to a (the sewing is a different color) and that elements have disappeared .

[Tomasz70]

good advice! it has to have the "smell of war"

No, it is not the matter of "smell of war" ))
Years of storing, dust covering the item, age changes the brand new thing to something original - genuine witness of history.
I had one exemption - mint US Army M44 jacket with all patches (83 Inf.Div, PFC and Ruptured Duck), excellent label (1944 manufacturing) and just two small moth holes. Looks great but does not smell at all. Probably was stored in excellent conditions, as fabric looks brand new, unused... But with no doubt it is genuine, WWII item.

Dom is right - straps were exchanged.

[Philippe]

These are not the original straps, missing leather loops and the marking is doubtful.
Philippe

[Dom]

Similar marking, indeed dated 1940

[bourguignotte]

Hello

Just to add concerning the date that the next model in line is the M40 so it cannot be dated later than 40r

Bruno