French Knapsacks

[Spongebucket]

Fellows,
I know of one of these that is sitting in the Atlanta History Center. Several folks have copied it. My question is what is the story on how many of these things made it over here during the war? To which army? And is this the correct pattern? There is no provenance on the one at AHC that I know of. Been looking at photos of French troops in the Crimea and can't make it out. I did find photos of one dated 1830-1840 on a French Antique militaria site (yes in France). It looked a bit different than the ones out there. The repros look more like the model 1893, that was tarred and later went to canvas for WW1.
Or could it be that the French were much like the Brits when it came to their gear and only did minor changes as opposed to us Americans that changed about every 10-15 yrs....drastically.
I am just curious...and yes have spent time researching.
Thanks,
Joe Blunt

[Spongebucket]

Re: French Knapsacks



This is one of the photos of the original pack from France marked as 1830-40s. I am sort of a computer idiot and would be lucky if this posts. I have some more in my album on my personal page. feel free to check.

Cheers,
Joe Blunt

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: French Knapsacks

Joe, was that knapsack painted or treated, or was it natural?

[Mcouioui]

Re: French Knapsacks

Hi all,

I look that in this part of the Atlantic with the companions and I speak later with you ;)

[Spongebucket]

Re: French Knapsacks

Ross,
I don't know how it's treated. The front and flap looked to have some sort of coating, but the photos wash it out. As I stated it is was in French and what little I speak, I didn't make out in the brief description other than the date and it was a military pack.
William,
Yes, if you can find out something, that would be great. As stated, my French is quite poor and have tried other European sites to find out what was being used by the French during the Crimea Iguessing it was this that ws sent over) and to what extent and to who, France was selling militaria to. Bonne chanz

Joe Blunt

[Mcouioui]

Re: French Knapsacks

No problem ;)

I paused the question to a friend specialist of the French army of the 1st empire in Indochina, he will have certainly the answers to your questions ;)

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: French Knapsacks

Someone get some pictures up for reference!

[Mcouioui]

Before more information, here is 1854 model.
He is always covered with hair of veal for this model, all the buffleterie (leathers) are black, in the internal top of the drawer, he has one limps has zinc cartridge.

[Mcouioui]

1844 model, Idem, in skin of veal with hair.
The models previous are the type 1st empire with a size it’s a little different.





Thanks for my friend Rougeaud Sergent of Ten Louisiana

[Mcouioui]

Re: French Knapsacks

I hope that helps? ;)

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: French Knapsacks

William,

Excellent images!

It is a reproduction, but here is an image or two of one I purchased from a fellow named Bruce Mac several years ago. I think he used the one at Stone Mountain as a basis for his. It seems to match up very well with the 1854 drawings you provided.

Kind regards,

[Mcouioui]

Re: French Knapsacks

The Joe Blunt picture for comparison







Fred, Thanks for my friend ;)

[Mcouioui]

Re: French Knapsacks

Message to Rougeaud

"Manufacturing of strangest, but nothing surprising, i think of a transition model between of 1828/35 and the 1844 which will standardize the manufacturings.
I also think of a model of ersatz, for the national guard seen the linen presence and the nailing of that on the wooden frame.
Otherwise our "warrior" belongs to the 4th. company and has roll 384, I cannot read the inscription before him D (who can be for departmental).
The national Guard being distributed in departmental company.
It is all the same a rare model to us!"

[Spongebucket]

Re: French Knapsacks

William,
Outstanding!!! Thank your friend Rougeaud for sharing the information. This will explain the strange appearance of the flaps and covers...its veal skin/thin leather. The info I found on the tarred ones were the model 1893 (Robert Fisch's Field Equipment of the Infantry 1914-1945) It is stated in the text and in the appendix A of same book Comparative Studies of the Field Equipment of the Foot Soldier of the French and Foreign Armies by Commendant Lavisse of the French Army January 1, 1906, it shows a pack that could be treated as it is a drawing.
Now, the other question...did the leather covered packs get sold to the states? or were they sent cheap copies covered with tarred canvas? or did the US copy the design in a more ersatz way (ala NYNG packs copying the British design). Or is the one this pack not appropriate for our period.
I've just been noticing a number of folks wanting this pack...and it does look sharp. But, if carrying it is like wear a Texico work clothes....we may want to reconsider.
I'll keep looking and William...many thanks from this side of the Atlantic.
Cheers,
Joe Blunt

[Mcouioui]

Re: French Knapsacks

Your Welcome ;)
More information today... ;)