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Thread: resew Haversack strap

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    845

    Default resew Haversack strap

    Hey Pards. I have a tarred fed issue good quality Haversack and I want to cut, shorten and resew my strap. I dont have a sewing machine. Can anybody give me some hints on a good way of doing this without ruining my Haversack?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Northeast Pennsylvania
    Posts
    491

    Default

    A sewing machine may well have a hard time getting through the strap without breaking the needle unless you have a shoemaker's type machine.

    Rather than cut and re-sew to shorten, consider folding a part of the strap over on itself, zig-zag fashion, and sewing it that way. Then if you ever have reason to lengthen it again, the original length will still be there.

    Best way to sew heavy straps is to make holes with an awl, then pass the needle through the holes. You won't need pliers, break needles or puncture your fingers with the eye end of the needle that way.

    good luck
    Ron Myzie
    "God gave us two ends - one to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which one you use. Heads you win, tails you lose."

  3. #3

    Default Cut haversack

    Sir,
    Another reason that I would recommend not cutting the haversack is if you would ever want to resell it, it cuts down on the people interested in your item. I recently bought a haversack that had been folded and sewn. If it had been cut I would not have bothered looking at it twice because I would not have known (without seeing it) if it would fit me or not.
    Andrew Schultz
    Possum Skinners Mess
    48th Alabama Co. C

    Don't tell people you do things "exactly like they did" while standing in front of a wall tent you share with your wife with the four poster bed, cooler, camp stove, and heater etc. Be honest with yourself and the people you are talking to.--Robert Collett, 2010

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    231

    Default Shoe shop can do it with ease.

    Unless youl live in Rooster Pooch, West Virginia , a shoe repair shop can handle that little chore while you wait.

    I had two heavy canvas cartridge box straps sewn together to make one strap 10" longer in order to make my cartridge box hang at my waist. A shoe repair shop stitched the straps together and he charged me $10 or it will not cost anything if you can get a brother-in-law price. The standard length for accutrement shoulder straps is 72" and a portly person like myself needs an 82" strap so the accutrement will hang as my waist. A 10" longer strap will lower the haversack, canteen or cartridge box 5". I also lengthened a leather cartridge box strap the same way. Unfortunately I had to use two straps to make one longer strap in order to retain the ends.

    To shorten your tarred strap, cut the amount to be shortened out of the strap at the top of your shoulder and have a shoe repair shop sew the strap back together using black thread. The most particular stitch counter will barely notice it or maybe not at all.
    Jerry Coffee
    4th Texas Infantry
    Hood's Texas Brigade
    Dallas, Texas

    "The troops of other states have their reputation to gain; the sons of the Alamo have theirs to maintain!"
    President Jefferson Davis - 1861

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Bradenton, Florida
    Posts
    165

    Talking Haversack strap

    Pete;
    Hold on a second there!!! Wait till you get your CRRC2 in the mail from me before doing such. It has a nice article in there about shortening the straps on your traps.
    Cheers!
    Kindest regards;
    Harold Adams



    It was just before dawn, One miserable morning in black forty four.When the forward commander, Was told to sit tight, When he asked that his men be withdrawn. And the Generals gave thanks, As the other ranks held back, the enemy tanks for a while. And the Anzio bridgehead, Was held for the price, of a few hundred ordinary lives. "When the Tigers Broke Free" by Roger Waters

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    845

    Default

    Thanks guys I appreciate all of the ideas!!! ........Harold I will take that advice!!!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    108

    Default haversack

    Hey Pete,
    What size do you need. I have a nice fed haversack that has a short strap and I was thinking to cut it and sew a piece onto it and make it longer. Maybe we can swap. I am 6ft 180lbs and this comes to just under my arm pit. Bought it on this site, it is a good quality one . Let me know.

    John Neugebauer

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    110

    Default

    Hey
    What I did with my old haversack was I folded it. O folded the strap and got some hemp twine and tied it so it obvisiouly wont unfold.

    Nick
    Nic Gunning
    Mifflin Guard
    61st New York Infantry

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    845

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sharpshot
    Hey Pete,
    What size do you need. I have a nice fed haversack that has a short strap and I was thinking to cut it and sew a piece onto it and make it longer. Maybe we can swap. I am 6ft 180lbs and this comes to just under my arm pit. Bought it on this site, it is a good quality one . Let me know.

    John Neugebauer
    John, the strap on mine now is 43" which is according to QM specs. I probably only need to shorten it by about 6-8 inches. It should sit so the bottom of the Haversack is about even with the wasist belt or where it is comfortable for you. There is nothing I hate more than having your traps bounce around while on the March. How long is the strap on yours? It sounds as though it might be a little too short for me even though I am about 5'8". Thanks though.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    108

    Default haversack

    Hey pete,

    My strap measures 37.5" and comes about 6" below my arm pit. Sounds like it is too small for you too. Oh Well just a thought. Good luck and thanks for the reply.

    John

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