Swiss Army Backpack Model 58 / Salt & Pepper an Introduction

 

   

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The "Pfeffer & Salz" (Salt & Pepper) Swiss Army Backpack Model 58 is a legendary piece of military surplus known for its extreme durability and distinctive speckled fabric.

The development of the Swiss Army Rucksack Model 58 was driven by Switzerland's need for self-sufficiency during and after World War II, leading to innovations in material science and ergonomic design.

Material Innovation: The "Nettle" Canvas
The most significant development was the creation of the "Salt & Pepper" (Salz & Pfeffer) fabric.


Wartime Necessity: During WWII, Switzerland faced severe cotton shortages due to blockades.

Invention: Swiss developers combined stinging nettle fibers with cotton, hemp, or flax.

Result: This blend was not just a substitute but an improvement. Stinging nettle fibers have an immense breaking strain—some experts claim it exceeds that of carbon fiber—while the flax provided natural water resistance. The speckled "salt and pepper" look is a byproduct of this multi-fiber weave.

Engineering for Alpine Logistics

The Model 58 was designed as part of a range of "load-carrying gear" developed for mountain troops who had to haul equipment up high Alpine peaks.


Internal Frame & Support: 

To handle heavy loads (up to 20kg), it was engineered with an internal metal or wooden frame.

Suspension System: It featured a distinctive lower-back support strap made of leather and metal, which kept the weight off the spine and allowed for ventilation.

Specialized Variants: The development included a specific Mountain/Alpine version that featured a "sleeve" running through the pack, allowing soldiers to carry their K31 rifles or assault rifles vertically while climbing or skiing.

Production & Legacy

Local Craftsmanship: Unlike mass-produced modern gear, each original Model 58 was typically hand-finished by local leatherworkers across Switzerland, who stamped their name, city, and production year on the leather components.

Transition: It remained standard issue until the 1980s, when it was gradually replaced by modern rubberized and nylon packs.

Modern Influence: Today, the design is so iconic that it has inspired modern luxury and outdoor brands (like Trakke and Wynnchester) to recreate the original "nettle" fabric for contemporary bags.

Associated 

• Schweizer Armee Tornister M-98
• Rucksack Ordonnanz 44
• Model 58
• Schweizer Gebrirgsrucksack M-73
• Kampfrucksack 90
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Pfeffer & Salz“ Schweizer Armee-Rucksack Modell 58

 

Swiss Backpacks

“Pfeffer & Salz“ Rucksack 

Modell 58

1940-1970s

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Description

The Schweizer Armee Salz und Pfeffer Rucksack (Swiss Army Salt and Pepper Backpack) is a legendary piece of military gear used by Swiss troops from the 1940s through the 1970s. It is highly prized today for its "over-engineered" durability and unique aesthetic.

"Salt and Pepper" Canvas: The name comes from the speckled appearance of the fabric, which is a heavy-duty blend of cotton and stinging nettle fibers. This was originally a wartime innovation due to cotton shortages, but it resulted in a material that is incredibly strong and naturally water-resistant.

Saddle Leather Construction: The bottom is typically a thick, reinforced leather plate, and all straps are heavy-duty leather with robust metal buckles.

Authenticity Stamps: Most original packs feature a Sattlerstempel (saddler's stamp) on the leather, indicating the maker's name, their town, and the year of manufacture.

Key Features & Material
Its unique look and extreme durability come from its specialized construction:
"Salt & Pepper" Fabric: An incredibly tear-resistant blend of cotton and nettle fibers (later flax or linen). This mix was originally created during WWII due to cotton shortages, resulting in the iconic speckled aesthetic.

Saddle Leather: The base, straps, and closures are made of thick, heavy-duty cowhide. These are often stamped with the saddler’s name and the year of manufacture.
Water Resistance: The dense weave causes the natural fibers to swell when wet, making the material naturally water-repellent.

Design & Variants

While the Model 58 is the most common post-war standard, it typically comes in two main versions:

Standard Model: Features one large main compartment and a prominent front pocket.

Mountain Model (Gebirgsrucksack): Larger, often featuring two tall, bottle-shaped side pockets for extra storage (approx. 3–4 liters each).

Support System: It includes a built-in metal frame or tensioned lumbar strap designed to keep the load off the spine and provide ventilation.

PART NUM.

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TITLE

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DATE

    1940-1970s-

FORMAT

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COLLECTION

    Swiss Army Backpacks

ACQUISITION

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REFERENCE

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History note Category

Because cotton was rationed during WWII, the Swiss created a heavy-duty canvas by blending cotton and stinging nettle fibers.
Durability: The nettle fibers provide extreme strength—sometimes compared to modern carbon fiber—and the fabric is naturally water-resistant.

Printed Label

Associated 

• Swiss Army Backpacks

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Pfeffer & Salz“ bekannte Schweizer Armee-Rucksack Modell 58

Swiss Army Salt and Pepper Backpack

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.

Crye Precision 330D Camelbak Bladder Carrier - Cryedro Multicam

 

Crye Precision 330

Camelbak Bladder Carrier

Crydro Pouch

2007-2008

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Description

The Crye Precision 330D Camelbak Bladder Carrier (often referred to by its product code or "Cryedro") is a lightweight hydration pouch specifically designed for Special Operations use.

PART NUM.

     BLC-011-02-000

TITLE

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DATE

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FORMAT

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COLLECTION

     Crye 330D

ACQUISITION

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REFERENCE

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History note Category

The Crye Precision 330D Camelbak Bladder Carrier (Cryedro) was developed in the late 2000s, specifically around 2007–2008.

Development Context

Unit Requirement: It was developed as part of a custom suite of lightweight "330D" nylon pouches requested by Tier 1 Special Operations units (primarily CAG/Delta Force and DEVGRU).

Material Shift: The shift to 330D Cordura was a response to the need for lighter, more packable gear for high-mobility missions in Iraq and Afghanistan during the mid-to-late GWOT (Global War on Terror) era.
Evolution: It preceded and later influenced the Smart Pouch Suite (SPS), which Crye released for the wider commercial market in 2014 as a "natural evolution" of the older 330D designs.

Part number is BLC-011-02-000. 

Weighs about 5 oz. Measures about 13" x 6". 

Item Details

Material: Constructed from 330D Cordura nylon, which is significantly lighter than the standard 500D or 1000D fabrics. This material was favored for its weight savings and reduced bulk.

Capacity: Specifically sized to hold a 70 oz (2.0L) Camelbak bladder, though it is sometimes used for other vertical mission essentials like breaching charges or protective masks.

Attachment: Features integrated MOLLE webbing for attachment to plate carriers or backpacks.

Rarity: This item is part of the "330D" line of pouches originally produced for specific US Tier 1 units (like CAG/Delta Force) and is no longer in standard commercial production.

Printed Label

Camelbak Bladder Carrier

BLC-011-02-000

Associated 

• Crye Precision 330D

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