Backpack
Object number2016.120.53 a,b
Manufacturer
Piper Gear
Date2007
OriginChina
MediumFabric; Canvas; Synthetic fabric; Metal; Plastic; Velcro; Leather; Paper; Ink
Credit LineGift of Elaine Berkowitz
DescriptionMilitary backpack and set of earplugs with case.
Military backpack. Gray pixelated camouflage pattern on heavy durable fabric. Areas of gray netting and gray webbed canvas banding. Back is covered in gray netting. Two padded shoulder straps, one chest strap, one lower torso strap, and one padded waist strap. Numerous pockets and compartments all with zipper closure including four pockets on front of body (some with additional interior pockets), two pockets on proper right side, and two pockets on proper left side. Gray webbed canvas handle at top center and at center of proper right side. Expandable zippered section around backpack perimeter. Gray leather luggage tag attached to proper right side's lower pocket. Plastic Southwest Airlines luggage tag attached to top handle.
Pair of earplugs with plastic case. Two blue silicone-like material earplugs. Army green plastic case is rectangular with a swivel lid. Earplugs inside their case were found inside the backpack's bottom pocket on the proper right side.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 28 × 20.5 × 6 in. (71.1 × 52.1 × 15.2 cm)Height x Width x Depth (b - case): 1.625 × 2.375 × 0.813 in. (4.1 × 6 × 2.1 cm)
Length x Diameter (b - earplug): 1.125 × 0.563 in. (2.9 × 1.4 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Luggage tag attached to proper right side's lower pocket has paper insert with printed and handwritten text in ink (see notes).
Luggage tag attached to top handle has black text on front "SOUTHWEST / soutwest.com/vamonos" and paper insert with printed and handwritten text in ink (see notes).
(b)
Case has raised text on top "TURN TO OPEN".
Case has raised text on the proper right face "GENERAL INFORMATION: / ..." and on the proper left face "INSERTION INSTRUCTIONS: / ..."
Case has white sticker on underside with black printed text "Warning: Sizing of earplugs / should be done by Medical / Professionals for a proper fit."
Marks(a)
Each zipper strap has gray plastic endcap with raised text "B.O.G."
Black carabiner in top proper right corner has white text "BUG OUT GEAR".
Inside largest front pocket (rearmost pocket) there is a maker label at center with embroidered text "PIPER / GEAR".
Inside largest front pocket (rearmost pocket) there are two white tags along proper right side:
top tag has printed black text on front "MADE IN CHINA";
bottom tag has printed black text on front "[logo] / www.pipergear.com".
Historical NotesPart of a collection related to the military career of Elaine Berkowitz, LTC, DC, USAR. Backpack from Berkowitz's 2007-2012 Kosovo deployments. Purchased in 2007 by Berkowitz at military supply store.
Previous owner
Lieutenant Colonel Elaine H. Berkowitz
Related institution
United States Army
Related institution
United States Army Reserve
Related institution
Southwest Airlines Company
On View
Not on view
c. 1917
