History Colorado Collection

Explore Colorado’s past through the archives, artifacts, and photographs of the History Colorado Collection.

The Stephen H. Hart Research Center provides access to the History Colorado Collection as well as research and reproduction services. The Research Center is open via appointment Wednesday through Saturday from 10am-3pm. Please visit the Research Center page for more information. Research Center staff are happy to help with virtual assistance at cosearch@state.co.us or by telephone 303-866-2305.

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Object Name

Rucksack

Title

Rucksack Used by 2nd Lt. Leonard B. Sutton at Camp Hale, Colorado

Maker

Hinson Mfg.Co

Dates

Date Used, 1942, Donor stated that he used this item while at Camp Hale, Colorado in 1942. Did not specify use past that year.

Date Made, 1942

Subject

World War II

Description

Very large rucksack worn on the back. Olive drab canvas on a tubular metal A-shaped frame. Large center pocket with flap that has two cotton webbed tiedown straps. The large pocket has three smaller pockets on it--one on each side and one in the center--each with a flap and blonde leather strap and buckle closure. The top of the rucksack slips onto the top of the frame and is reinforced with a heavy, thick piece of leather. The shoulder straps are wide and thick cotton webbing. There are several cotton web straps on the rucksack for adjusting the fit and securing to the frame. The lower sides of the frame curved forward to hug the hips of the wearer.

Provenance

This large capacity rucksack was used by the donor, Leonard V. B. Sutton, of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment while at Camp Hale, Colorado in 1942. He did not specify if he used it past that time, or if he was deployed overseas to Italy. These rucksacks were developed for the mountain soldiers and absolutely necessary to carry the huge loads needed to survive the cold, this unique pack put the load on a man's hips instead of his shoulders. The Quartermaster Catalog advised that the pack's tubular frame could be removed and made into an emergency sled.

Used

Personal Gear

Knapsack

10th Mountain Division

Inscription

"HINSON MFG.CO. / 1942" (stenciled inside main back flap) "U.S." (stenciled on main back flap)

Object ID

89.148.2

History Colorado’s responsibility as a museum organization includes rectifying, reconciling, and uplifting underrepresented stories, objects, people, and places. Some of the materials in our collection reflect positions, norms, and values that are no longer—or never were—consistent with those of History Colorado (formerly the Colorado Historical Society) or its staff. We do not endorse prejudiced, stereotyped, or offensive material in our collection and actively work to place those items in context and with interpretation from our communities, as they are an important resource in the study of past and contemporary cultures. For more about how History Colorado does this work, see the History Colorado Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues statement.

If you find inaccuracies or misrepresentations in any object records, please contact cosearch@state.co.us to help us better represent and access our collection.

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Explore Colorado’s past through the archives, artifacts, and photographs of the History Colorado Collection.