Where to Wear Your Haversack & Canteen?

[32ndalainf]

Re: Two Haversacks?

i usually use cotton/duct it pretty stout and takes to tarring pretty well if anyone has anther sugg. i would like to learn it...........jason willis

[Matt_E_Wright]

Latex Paint

I came across an interesting contribution in an old issue of "The Watchdog" that fits well into the conversation here....

This is from Volume 9, No. 2 (Spring 2001), page 9

James Owens (Owens Accouterments) writes...

"For several years I have experimented with different paints. In 1986 I spoke with a member of my unit who made several reproduction knapsacks. He had sent several scrapings from an original knapsack to a lab at the University of Maryland. The resulting report indicated the substance was almost pure latex!...."

Mr. Owens continues to write that....

"...During research in the Quartermaster General records at the National Archives, Stephen Osman came across an 1864 letter regarding an inspection of the painting facility of contractor Evans and Hassell in Philidelphia (see 'Potter's Patented Haversack and Knapsack Paint, 1864,' Military Collector and Historian, Vol. XLVI, No. 2, Summer, 1994). IN his report of this inspection, Chief Inspector Neal Campbell of Schuylkill Arsenal gives the formula used by Mr. Potter, chief painter for the firm. At least one person who is a chemist, has seen this and stated that it is basically a receip[e] for latex paint!"

I'll be the first to admit that I know next to nothing about the history of paint, but I do know that James Owens has been make outstanding reproductions for a very, very long time. Can anyone shed some more light on the validity of this passage? Could it be that using latex paint isn't as much of a sin as some would have us believe?

Thanks,
Matt Wright

[AZReenactor]

Hey, how about starting from originals...

Folks,
Rather than trying to add variations and looking for what fabrics seem kewl or are conveniently available, it might be better to start by taking a look at original early war Federal haversacks, determine the type and weight of fabrics they are made from and then suggesting to Jim what some sources for fabric most closely approximating them are.

You can also find a linen drill or canvas in most fabric stores. It adds a little variation.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: Two Haversacks?

I apologize for being nitpicky as some would view it, but here it is:

It's COTTON DUCK, not "duct". A "duct" is something through which ventilation air is conveyed in a building.

(I see "duct" in place of "cotton duck" as often as I see "Fort SumPter" instead of "Fort Sumter".)

[Charles Heath]

Re: Two Haversacks?

Not to make a poultry pun out of this, but someone down in Alabama needs to take Jason under their wing. This would be a good thing.

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Two Haversacks?

Not to make a poultry pun out of this, but someone down in Alabama needs to take Jason under their wing. This would be a good thing.

Charles, I belive he's next door...... in Mississippi.:D But yeah that would be a good thing!

[32ndalainf]

Re: Harrison Wiley's Haversack

i have had a few hand sewn authentic haversacks and i have never spent 95.00 i think you are buying more of the name than the actual goods for the most part on some of this stuff..................

[1stMaine]

Re: Harrison Wiley's Haversack

Jason,

I would suspect that you are paying for an accurate reproduction of an original item, and that cost also includes the Research & Development expenses incurred to ensure quality.

I would rather pay a little extra knowing that the item I was purchasing was well-researched and faithfully reproduced.

Respects,

[32ndalainf]

Re: Harrison Wiley's Haversack

yes i will not argue on that and i feel that as long as it is correct then hey it is worth a look but the only thing i dont understand is just because it is not expensive or made by an approved vendor of the site (that does have very nice authentic products) then who can say it is not correct . i have done research on haversacks , ground cloths , knapsacks , all the stuff for my kit and some of the stuff i made for myself like my ground cloth for instant i was at an event and someone came up to me and was looking at my ground cloth and was saying how good it looked and the quality but once they found out that i made it they dropped like it had some disease that is the only thing i dont understand

[High-Private]

CS Haversack Pattern

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could point me to a CS haversack pattern? I am condering making one myself. I have the "Confederate Sketch book" already, but I am curious about other patterns or dimensions. The ones that I have see in EOG and other websites all seem to be small. Not sure how they would contain the rations of they were ever issued a full ration. I guess the manufactures took ito account the low rations when producing the haversacks.

Thanks,

Kevin Coyle

[Coatsy]

Re: CS Haversack Pattern

Kevin,

The Moses Alexander pattern in "the Confederate Sketchbook" is a great start to make a haversack. Confederate or civilian. From what I have seen at museums and in photos the enlisted man's haversack was a simple design just to carry the mess gear and food. Officers haversacks get much fancier.

For reenacting purposes I own three Confederate haversacks. One is canvas, on is tarred canvas, and one is made from a blanket aka field modification. They are all patterned after the simply made originals.

I hope this helps you out.

[3alabama]

Re: CS Haversack Pattern

Kevin, try contacting the curator of the MOC and obtain some write up sheets on haversacks in there collection. I believe each sheet cost $30. They are line drawings and measurements of the item. I do know they have the Moses Alexander,Bayley and the Ticking one in EOG plus a few others you probably haven't seen. As far as size goes they all seem to be relativly small in size, 10 by 13, 10 by 10 ,10 by 11 inches. Good luck with the project

[High-Private]

Re: CS Haversack Pattern

Hi,

Thank you for the information. I have seen photos on EOG and other web sites and it seems that many are made from striped material. So does that imply that any striped 100% linen or canvas would work?

Thanks,

Kevin Coyle

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: CS Haversack Pattern

To say that any striped linen or material will work can be dangerous. Many reproduction materials available from commercial sources are not accurate copies of period materials. There was a variety of different materials used in Confederate haversacks, as not all were arsenal or depot produced - many were homemade or privately purchased. Yes, many were indeed made from linen, striped linen, and the like, but there were also many that were made from cotton, cotton drill, cotton duck, wool, carpet, tapestry, flannel, etc, etc, etc. My recommendation is to pick a particular type that you prefer, hopefully one with some provenance about where it was made, who carried it and when, and begin with that one. Not everyone has the ability to actually examine originals, but with some decent photographs, you can get a basic understanding. Try not to generalize when making statements about "any" material will do. Each original has a certain type of material organic to that actual item. Best of luck to you!

[CSchneider]

Re: CS Haversack Pattern

Just the small sampling of haversacks in the MOC shows the wide variety of materials that were used for haversacks. The Spinlin bag is made from a fine 25-inch wide blue line cotton duck, the "Georgia" haversack is a fairly heavy plain weave stiped material, 26 inches selvedge to selvedge, the Neal bag is of a heavy plain weave osnaburg with a drill strap, etc., etc.
And mind your construction techniques too. While EOG may call the Spinlin bag a "homemade haversack," its entirely machine sewn. That striped Georgia haversack is entirely machine chainstitched. The Neal bag is handsewn while the strap is done by machine, etc. All three of the bags mentioned use the selvedge edge in construction to save from having to hem an edge. Pick an original and copy it.

-Craig Schneider