Brown Best (BB) were luggage manufacturers in the late 1800s and, using their knowledge of canvas, leather and stitching, they started producing rucksacks in, we think, the 1920s.

Bergans of Norway were the Rolls Royce of rucksacks for several decades up until the 1960s when modern, frameless versions captured the market. Though Brown Best held their own in the UK being somewhat cheaper and nearly as well made. Interestingly, Bergan became the generic term for all rucksacks during this era , demonstrating the esteem and popularity of the Norwegian versions.

The ‘A’ frame rucksacks, as they were known, held sway (sometimes literally) well into the 1960s, when companies like Karrimor and Berghaus in the UK, and Millet in France, slowly captured the market with their vast array of snug fitting, frameless and stylish versions.

The sack we have here in the collection has an extra set of shoulder pads which would have cost 5 shillings and 7 pence in 1959 (38p). Unfortunately, we don’t have a record of the donator but thanks anyway.