One of many projects happening around here this yule-tide season. A new classic-style rucksack is being sewn, much leatherwork is occurring, and this pack frame is being finished. The wood is shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) made from a bowstave section and some other scrap from the pile. All was split before finishing so the grain is perfectly aligned with the lumber. This made for easy steam bending. As I was working from many examples but no actual plan, there was a lot of mock-up and tweaking of the design to fit my size and intended needs. There’s no metal in the construction. The freight bar and cross members are half-lapped and lashed with rawhide. The bar is also pegged to prevent slipping under load. More to come as it gets finished and field tested.
Here’s a few older frames I could find around the ‘net:
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 