Ok, despite what I said in my previous post, today I did manage to find something. It was in an Op Shop on the Mornington Peninsula (south of Melbourne).
I saw a pile out the back of what appeared to be rubbish and a rucksack was on it. I asked an employee if that was rubbish and she said, "Yes, take what you want.". When I got back to my car I examined it and it appeared to be complete. It was a Paddy Pallin "Rambler Model" in quite good condition.
I'm not sure what I'll do with it as I'm trying to declutter but I couldn't bear to see it go into the rubbish.
I have it on the clothes line right now airing out in the sun - it smelled a bit musty. The leather straps are soft but I will put conditioner on them anyway.
It appears to have a manufacturing defect (or an acceptable variance) as both the front and the back straps have to be engaged at different buckle holes in order to make the straps of equal length.
Whilst this would have been a good pack, back in the day, there is no padding whatsoever, just plain leather straps with one single leather strap that goes against the back to keep the steel frame off yur back.
I would be interested in what date these were manufactured and impressions of their use at the time.
Would anyone use one of these now, even for fun?
Here is a link to someone else's web site with pictures of this model (also found in a trash and treasure market).
http://slightdecay.blogspot.com.au/2011 ... -lost.html