Swiss Backpacks
Swiss Army Hair Pack / Haaraff
1898-1950
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Description
The term ‘Haaraffe’ (“monkey” or ‘Haaraff’) refers to traditional knapsacks made of cowhide used in the Swiss Army, which are now popular collector's items and no longer part of standard equipment. They often date from the 1930s to the 1950s.
PART NUM. ----TITLE HaaraffeDATE 1898-1950s-FORMAT ---COLLECTION Swiss Army BackpacksACQUISITION ---REFERENCE ---
History note Category
The Early Era: The "Haaraffe" (1898–1950)
The first standardized modern backpack was the Tornister, famously nicknamed the "Haaraffe" (Hair Monkey).
Design: Introduced in 1898, it remained virtually unchanged for over 50 years. It featured a wooden frame and an exterior covered in genuine cowhide.
Functionality: The natural hair repelled water and snow, protecting the gear inside during alpine operations. Its nickname came from how the furry exterior looked like a monkey clinging to the soldier's back.
The "Haaraffe" (Calfskin Tornister)Design: These backpacks were reinforced with wood and covered in cowhide or calfskin with the hair still attached.
Why the hair? The natural oils in the fur made the pack water-repellent, causing snow and rain to slide off, which was vital for alpine survival.
The Nickname: Soldiers called it the "Affe" (Monkey) because, when worn on the back, the furry exterior looked like a small primate clinging to the soldier.
Printed Label
Associated
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Swiss military backpack 1937
In the context of the Swiss Army, the term "Haaraffe" (literally "Hair Monkey") refers to the iconic vintage calfskin backpack (Tornister) used from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century.
1. The "Haaraffe" (Calfskin Tornister)Design: These backpacks were reinforced with wood and covered in cowhide or calfskin with the hair still attached.
Why the hair? The natural oils in the fur made the pack water-repellent, causing snow and rain to slide off, which was vital for alpine survival.
The Nickname: Soldiers called it the "Affe" (Monkey) because, when worn on the back, the furry exterior looked like a small primate clinging to the soldier.
2. Evolution to "Salt and Pepper"Material Shift: During WWII, due to leather and cotton shortages, the Swiss developed a unique fabric made from linen and nettle fibers.
Durability: This "Salt and Pepper" (grey/green mottled) canvas became legendary for being nearly indestructible and naturally water-resistant.
Mountain Troops: These packs often featured a heavy leather bottom and integrated metal frames for heavy load distribution in the Alps.
3. Modern EraRubberized Packs (M70/M90): The furry "Affe" was eventually replaced by olive-drab canvas and later by the M90 rubberized backpack, which prioritized total waterproofing over the traditional aesthetic.
3. The Cold War Evolution (1960s–1980s)
By the 1960s, the design evolved to increase capacity as soldier loads grew. Design: These packs shifted away from the "monkey" fur, adopting a purely canvas upper with a heavy saddle leather bottom to prevent wear when placed on rocky ground.
Ergonomics: They introduced more sophisticated internal metal frames and curved steel lumbar supports to better distribute weight during long marches.
4. Modern Transitions (1990s–Present)
The traditional canvas and leather were eventually phased out for synthetic materials. M90 Pack: In the 1990s, the Swiss Army introduced the rubberized M90 patrol pack, which utilized waterproof vinyl canvas and nylon loops for modular attachments.
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Original field service equipment/marching kit of a Swiss Army soldier from the period of mobilisation between 1939 and 1945.
A beautiful ensemble for collectors and enthusiasts of nostalgic military equipment!
Consisting of: Field knapsack, the so-called ‘Haaraff’ or ‘Affen’, i.e. fur knapsack model 1898 for the infantry, manufactured in 1944 by the Ernest Froidevaux saddlery in Noirmont (see manufacturer's stamp). Small repair on the lid piping.
Bread bag/bread sack, model 1944, manufacturer's stamp from the War Commissariat in Bern from 1941, a rare stamp!
Cooking utensils/mess tin with manufacturer's stamp ‘MZ 1940’, two-piece,
field flask with manufacturer's stamp ‘Mewa 1940’ with cup, manufacturer's stamp ‘SIGG’,
3 luggage straps made of soft cowhide leather, 55 cm,
for attaching equipment to the knapsack (additional luggage straps can be purchased separately in my offers).
All equipment items are in good condition with minor contemporary signs of wear.
The knapsack has been thoroughly cleaned with saddle soap and all leather parts have been carefully treated with special grease; they are soft and well cared for,
not musty basement goods!
Knapsack dimensions: approx. 45x28x11 cm
Dimensions of bread bag: approx. 25x25,
with shoulder strap and belt loops.
A beautiful, contemporary ensemble from the war period, parts of which were still part of the Swiss Confederation's field equipment until the end of the 1950s.
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