East German Combat Pack
In stock
- SKU
- EGCC
- Material
- Cotton
Description
NVA Combat Pack
This is a genuine East German Army (NVA) combat pack, issued to soldiers of the Nationale Volksarmee for carrying rations, spare clothing and personal field kit. It is cut in the East German "Strichtarn" pattern, the rain-dash camouflage of fine vertical brown lines on a tan ground that the NVA wore from the 1960s onward. Carry it as a square backpack on the included Y-harness, or grab it by the top handle like a satchel. It suits collectors, reenactors and anyone who wants a compact, authentic surplus pack for day trips or light loads.
Features
- Strichtarn Rain Camouflage — The pack is printed in the NVA rain-dash pattern, a scatter of short brown strokes on tan that the East German military used across its field kit.
- Cotton Canvas Body — Built from cotton canvas, the standard material for this issue, giving a firm, boxy shape that holds its form when loaded.
- Removable Y-Harness — A set of gray webbing shoulder straps meets at a reinforced yoke on the back, so the pack rides as a backpack and clips off when you only want the satchel.
- Twin Buckle Closure — Two metal roller buckles secure the top flap, each on its own strap, holding the contents down under tension.
- Top Carry Handle — A short reinforced handle on the top edge lets you lift and carry the pack by hand like a case.
- ID Window — A clear plastic card pocket on the front flap holds a name or unit tag, exactly as the pack left service.
- Metal Fittings — The buckles, D-rings and strap tips are steel hardware, the same corrosion-resistant fittings fitted on issue.
- Reinforced Stitching — Box-stitched tack points anchor the flap straps and handle at the load-bearing seams.
Service Origin
The pack was issued by the East German Nationale Volksarmee, the armed forces of the former German Democratic Republic. The Strichtarn print and the simple buckle-and-harness construction are typical of NVA field equipment, built to a government specification for mass issue rather than retail sale. Owning one puts a real piece of Cold War era provenance in your hands, with the kind of build and detail a reproduction cannot match.
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Customer Reviews
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Top customer reviews
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Amazing Value and QaulityAmazing value, and qaulity for an amazing price!
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Textbook NVA StrichtarnThe Stricheldruckmuster what most people just call 'raindrop' or Strichtarn is vivid and unfaded, which tells me this batch was folded and crated not long after the Wall came down and never saw daylight again until now. The PVC interior liner is completely intact with zero cracking or delamination, which is exactly what you want to see on a pack that's been sitting in a DDR-era warehouse for thirty-plus years. D-hooks for the Y-strap suspenders are solid steel, no rust pitting, and the cotton canvas exterior shows no stress fraying at the seams or the main closure flap. I've compared this side by side with a Czech M85 surplus haversack I picked up from Hessen Antique a few years back — the NVA pack is more compact (roughly 37 x 32 x 10 cm) but the cotton-canvas construction and overall stitch quality is on par if not slightly better. The only gripe I have at all is the warehouse smell, which is that deep musty DDR-closet funk that no amount of description really prepares you for. A day airing out in the sun and a light wipe-down with a damp cloth handled most of it.
Correct D-hook attachment for NVA Y-strap system
Strong musty warehouse storage odor out of the bag
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The real dealThe rain-drop camo is period-correct and the construction matches my reference photos from the 70s-80s. Mine arrived unissued condition with the rubber liner intact yeah it had that classic surplus warehouse smell but a wash with dish soap and baking soda fixed that in one afternoon. The Y-strap attachment points are exactly what you'd expect for the NVA combat belt system. This batch from Keep Shooting actually includes the suspenders which is a huge plus. Buckles have that nice patina, canvas is thick and sturdy. If you're building a complete East German kit, this is essential.
Authentic NVA construction Rain-drop camo pattern is iconic Rubber liner is genuinely waterproof
Was smelly but just wash it!
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Unique raindrop camo looks awesomeBought this for hiking and honestly its way better than I expected for the price. The camo pattern is really cool looking, gets alot of compliments on the trail. Stitching looks super heavy duty, nothing feels cheap or flimsy at all. This thing will probably outlast me lol.
Built like a tank
No internal frame so heavy loads can get uncomfortable
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Great for the priceHonestly for 17 bucks you really cant beat this thing. The rain drop camo pattern is awesome and looks even better in person than the pictures. Mine came in pretty solid condition considering its actual military surplus, just some minor wear on the straps. I use it for day hikes and it holds up fine. The field suspenders it comes with are a nice bonus too.
Rain drop camo pattern looks really cool
Smells a little musty, had to air it out for a couple days but that's surplus.