Tornister Question

[kingkaiser]

Some references state that the main compartment of the M1895 Tornister was supposed to be fitted with shelves and dividers, subdividing the larger compartment into multiple smaller compartments, similar to a pigeonhole storage box. Apparently, specific items were supposed to be placed into specific compartments, thereby ensuring that the weight was evenly distributed, making it more manageable to carry on long marches. The references don't indicate how many compartments there were, or what material the shelves and dividers were made from. I have never seen any photographs of original Tornisters with these shelves and dividers. Additionally, original period soldiers' manuals don't include them in the drawings illustrating how to pack the Tornister. So, did these shelves and dividers exist, or are references of them inaccurate? Or, perhaps, were these shelves and dividers used in earlier Tornisters, such as the M1847, M1855, or M1859?

[kingkaiser]

Here is one reference that mentions the Tornisters having shelves and dividers --

Per Johan Somers: German WW1 fur backpack, model 1895. The backpack was light brown in color, bordered with tan leather and covered with fur covered calf skin or horse hide. The framework was made from wood and lined with waterproof canvas. The backpack flap could also contain equipment, as well as the central frame, which was fastened with two flaps. There were several compartments for storing clothes (Waschebeutel), cartridges (Patronenbehalter), ration pocket (Lebensmittelbeutel) and tent accessories (Zeltzubehorbeutel). In the middle of the knapsack was a shelf used to store personal accessories like a toothbrush, sewing and washing kit and a meat tin. The use of compartments ensured a correct distribution of the weight and the contents ran less risk of becoming damaged. German regulations prescribed that the backpack should be in close fit with the man's back. It was therefore delivered in three sizes, having heights of 11.6" (29.5cm), 12.4" (31.5cm) and 13.1" (33.5cm). This had certain disadvantages, as during the summer, it produces excessive heat and in the winter, there was a possibility that - during rests - the back of the backpack became wet and the soldier could catch a cold or get sick.

[Hoffmann]

I think there is some confusion when translating from German to English, I ran into this when I research and wrote my packing article awhile back. "Dividers" may be nothing more than the flaps that close the compartments. When you open the pack, you find that the main body of the pack is one "compartment", the flap is another "compartment", and there are the two pockets for the boxes of ammo. The "Waschebeutel" is a bag as the tent accessories "Zeltzubehorbeutel" and the ration 'pocket' is also another bag "Lebensmittelbeutel". Since the main body of the pack has a wood frame, the bottom side, I believe, is the "shelf" as all of the items listed go in that compartment.

I used two original manual when I wrote my article, and I just picked up another I intend to start translating soon, if it has anything different I will amend my article.

[kingkaiser]

Sept 2, 2013 16:37:40 GMT -8 Hoffmann said:

I think there is some confusion when translating from German to English......

That's kind of what I thought! Another source states that "The middle of the lower part of the Tornister has a pad or cushion, which forms a shelf on which rests the box of preserved meat (Fleischkonserve); around it are the brushes (Bursten), Ankle boots (Schnurschuhe), and sewing and washing accessories, all assembled in a bundle." I suspect that the "pad" or "cushion" mentioned in this description is actually the somewhat triangular padded or quilted area located near the bottom of the framed compartment, which I've seen on many Tornisters. This padding, or quilting, generally seems to be in the area trimmed in leather (when viewed from the outside), and is meant to cushion the lower back.