RARE U.S. ISSUE CIVIL WAR HAVERSACK

$1,950.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-7129

Intended to carry field rations and mess gear, perhaps with the addition of some tobacco and personal items, haversacks were an essential piece of military issue gear for the soldier’s comfort and survival, and, like the canteen, were used far more often than his weapons. Even though every soldier was issued one of these, and most probably went through several, it is hard to overstate how scarce they are in any condition. Most suffered careless treatment during the war and even if they survived a messy combination of greasy pork, spilled coffee and other rations, and mess utensils poking through them, they were so useful later in civilian life as general purpose bags, satchels, and school book bags that even fewer survive. Even when surplus dealers like Bannerman had literal rooms full of knapsacks squashed flat in tall piles, haversacks were hard to find.

This is the standard wartime federal issue pattern of tarred canvas with a fixed shoulder strap and a flap secured by a long leather billet and small roller buckle. The strap, as is correct, is folded tarred canvas as well and attached at each end by sewing to the back upper corners of the bag. The buckle is in place on the front of the bag, still firmly attached to a short billet with standing loop, sewn and not riveted. The fastening billet with holes for the tongue of the buckle is also firmly attached, secured by stitching alone, no rivet, to the lower edge of the flap.

This is in very good condition, with no holes, a little stiff in places, but solid, showing just some slight rubs, dust and soiling. The strap is full length, showing some lighter canvas in spots where the seam is slightly open, but with just a couple of short tears to the edge where it is attached to the back of the bag on the wearer’s right. The fastening strap shows flexing and loss of finish on the upper portion, but is full length. The three tin buttons are still in place inside that once held a removable liner, which often met its fate at the hands of soldiers needing a rag or material for a small drawstring bag for coffee, sugar, tobacco, or some other essential.

Veteran soldiers constantly advised new recruits to be on the lookout for food, and were themselves on the lookout for haversacks unwisely discarded on a march by an over-burdened novice. This is a necessary accouterment to fill out any collection of Civil War military equipment and would look great displayed with the soldier’s equally essential canteen and mess cup, plate and utensils. A previous collector stuffed it with paper to fill it out. We have left it as we got it.  [sr][ph:m]

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