Looking for a Haversack

[Richard Schimenti]

I wish to buy a quality haversack beyond sutler row products. Could you give me the name of a vendor or vendors to contact.

I want to add a union style haversack to my impression a za journalist in the field with harper's Weekly.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

I wish to buy a quality haversack beyond sutler row products. Could you give me the name of a vendor or vendors to contact.

I want to add a union style haversack to my impression a za journalist in the field with harper's Weekly.

Sounds like you may be looking for two different styles of haversacks:

1. Federal Issue Military Haversack: For use with a military impression...designed to carry rations.

2. Private Purchase/Civilian Haversack/Satchel: For use as a civilian "Newspaperman" ala Journalist...

Many Choices for at least the first of these: Don Smith (Trans-Mississippi Depot), Tim Welch (L.D. Haning)...etc.

Not too many individuals out there making the second option.

Paul B.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

There are several vendors out there who can make you a quality haversack, with Don Smith from Trans-Mississippi Depot, EJ Thomas, and Traveling Man's Emporium on the short list. I would caution you though, if I read your post correctly, that you wanted a union haversack for your civilian impression. First, any civilians caught with government equipment were suspect and could be imprisoned or excuted, so your best bet is to go with a civilian haversack, and for your impression preferably a larger one of leather or painted cloth, like that privately purchased by officers. You can fit more writing or sketching material in it, it will be protected from the elements, and would be much more proper for your impression. All of the fine merchants above offer something in that respect.

[FloridaConfederate]

Mr. Humility at every oppty himself, Ross makes fine haversacks; accurate and handsewn.

[Slickrick214]

I have a brand new, never used Federal tarred haversack from Jarnagins. Its good quality and period correct (no riveted buckle). It comes with an inner bag like the originals.

[Western Blue Belly]

...and period correct (no riveted buckle).

I hope that you are not trying to state that haversacks with riveted buckles (billets) are inaccurate.

Another vender with accuate bags is The Haversack Depot.

[jademonkey]

Sir,

What Ross said.

If you are looking for a correct, high quality Federal haversack I would recommend LD Haning (Tim Welch). His copy is a superior reproduction of one carried by a Conn soldier (with a riveted billet no less). Good luck,

[Slickrick214]

I hope that you are not trying to state that haversacks with riveted buckles (billets) are inaccurate.

Most of the originals I've seen pictures of had sewn leather straps not a copper button rivet. The most common Federal haversack re-produced today all seem to have a sewn leather tab not a rived one.

[jgr1974]

The riveted tab is a prewar item. Like the Confederacy, the North tried to save some money. The rivet was left off of the war era haversacks. One rivet x thousands of haversacks = lots of moolah!

The Mad Mick!

[Western Blue Belly]

Most of the originals I've seen pictures of had sewn leather straps not a copper button rivet. The most common Federal haversack re-produced today all seem to have a sewn leather tab not a rived one.

EOG Arms and Equipment of the Union page 199 shows a great example of the riveted version. Issued to a Connecticut soldier.
The CRRC II refers to two of them. The first was issued to a soldier in a New York regiment. The second was a Massachusetts soldier.

As far as vender/reproduction go's...your right (kind of). Lower end venders do tend to offer only the sewn version. However higher end venders offer a wider range of accurate styles. The riveted version being very popular. Tim Welch, TMDC (Don Smith), N.J. Sekala to name just a few. Even your favored Jarnagin offers a riveted version.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I hate to jump in here with a gentleman just wanting to buy a haversack, but there are several things mentioned here that stand to be corrected. Painted Federal haversacks for enlisted men came in a variety of styles with similiar traits. Most had a gusset on the bottom which allowed it to bellow out and had an interior bag (rice bag, ration bag) that buttoned in with three buttons to allow it to be removed for washing. The haversack itself was either painted linen or light cotton drilling with a lighter cotton interior bag, and could be all handsewn or machine sewn, depending upon contractor or arsenal . The strap on the front (the billet) was either sewn directly to the bag or riveted as mentioned, but it depended upon the contractor, not so much the time period of the war. The buckle on the front is the same way, either handsewn or riveted depending upon contractor or arsenal. The pre-war haversack owned by the Copenhagen military museum that was part of the exchange of military goods in the 1850's is all handsewn with no rivets. There are four examples of federal haversacks on pages 144-151 of the Columbia Rifles Compendium Vol II which show good details of original haversacks, and you will note that each one have subtle differences in rivets, sewing, etc, and one of the haversacks doesn't even have the bottom gusset - it is folded over like an envelope. Most historians of federal equipment feel that the rivet was added for strength to the billet and buckle for both durability and quickness of construction and were most likely mid to late-war items, but there are examples of riveted constuction haversacks attributed to at least one federal soldier who mustered out in early 1862 (collection of the Atlanta History Center). With this I'm led to believe that its hard to tell pre-war from early, mid, and late-war by it bearing a rivet, unlike bayonet scabbards which are easier to tell era by being all handsewn for early, two rivets for early to mid, and seven rivets for late war. Hopefully this will help not only the gentleman look for a haversack for his impression, but all others out there looking for a good haversack or wanting to upgrad theirs. You can't go wrong with Don Smith's, Phil Cavanaugh with Haversack Depot, Nick Sekela, the late Jim Lammers of Cedar Creek Supply (if you can find one used out there) and a number of other fellows.

[tll2007]

Cedar Creek Supply is still making the painted haversack if interested.

[Slickrick214]

Mr Schimenti,

I just got your PM about the haversack. I'll Pm you back with pictures and more info right away.

[CWAUTH1]

Haversack Depot sells excellent repros.

[Western Blue Belly]

Cedar Creek Supply is still making the painted haversack if interested.

Since the passing of Jim Lammers who is continuing their production? Mr. Lammers made some nice bags and some very nice Federal knapsacks too.

[tll2007]

Since the passing of Jim Lammers who is continuing their production? Mr. Lammers made some nice bags and some very nice Federal knapsacks too.

Cedar Creek Supply is being continued by his daughters and wife. We are still making the shoes and several other items including the haversack, mens shirts, campaigners shirt and womens items. Knapsacks will come in the future. My sister made the bag, but dad put the leather on. When she gets that worked out, knapsacks will be available as well.