ORIGINAL 1853/1855 FEDERAL ISSUE DOUBLE BAG KNAPSACK IN GOOD CONDITION – INSPECTOR MARKED

$395.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-7137

Among the essential items of a Civil War soldier’s kit was the venerable knapsack.  Made of canvas and subsequently tarred for waterproofing purposes, the Federal knapsack was intended to accommodate an issued wool blanket, gum blanket, extra undergarments, home goods, personal items, mess equipment, and toiletries.

Often found in incomplete or fragile condition, this pack is still strongly stitched and appears to retain all outside leather harness pieces, including both chest/cross straps.  The leather straps and accessories are supple, with minor but very typical cracking on the outer finished layer. Shoulder straps are in excellent condition and still firmly affixed to the body of the pack by strong stitching and no rivets were used during manufacture.  All hooks are present and in a nice condition, as are all roller buckles.  The blanket roll straps are not the original roller buckle style and are instead a field alteration made from the once-white, scrap leather ties used to close one of the interior bags of the knapsack. The remaining pieces are still attached by a single rivet each.  Though the roller buckle and leather closure straps are a bit dry, the knapsack can be can be carefully opened (the tarred material is not fused).

This pack has seen use, as the outer interior bag has been minorly torn from the inside in 5 places, each tear measuring 1” with one measuring nearly 2”.  None of them detract from the functional purpose of the bag itself. The inner most of the bags retains its roller buckle cross straps in a complete and operational condition, while each of the 4 folding sections are present and in great condition with evidence of stretching, likely to accommodate a shelter tent half and/or gum blanket.

Folded and securely closed, this pack measures roughly 16”x16” and displays beautifully.

Adding to the rarity, credentials, and character of the pack, the left shoulder strap retains the original inspector’s stamp, which reads “L.L. Richards Inspector New York” – a known government contractor in operation from the early days of the war.

Very seldom are these original knapsacks in a functional condition suitable for display as they were intended to be worn or even casual handling.  This wonderful pack is an essential item for the collector of Federal/United States/US issued items and, given the patterns of wear, very likely saw service during the Civil War.  [cm][ph:L]

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