Officers Haversacks

[PvtHull48thovi]

Hello Gents,

Been a good while since I've been on the forum let alone had any questions. I have recently been drafted as an 2nd Lt. at an event coming up in a few months. Western Theatre. Red River Campaign to be exact. As for the question. I am looking to purchase an officers haversack and upon research I've found several really good ones on the market. The question pertains to one that The Regimental Quartermaster offers. They call it a Tarred Officers Haversack. Its a relatively inexpensive haversack compared to the one offered by **** ****** or by Dixie Leather works. I have tried to research this haversack a little and I've come up with nothing in any of the books that I have. Does anyone know how, I dare say, "correct" this haversack they offer is, and is it of a decent enough quality to get me through one or two events while I get the funds to purchase a nicer one.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby, I have never had the chance to view one of their haversacks but I could take a pretty good guess as to the quality. I will however recommend the painted haversacks that Boyd Miles reproduces. http://www.boydmiles.com/Officer-Haversacks.html

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Thanks for the info Rufus. Ive saved his link. I may end up getting one from Dixie leather works. They are both almost the same price. And Ive used Dixie before. Good quality. The link you sent me looks like its good stuff as well. Just not quiet what Im looking for.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby,

What's your impression? Yes, a Lt. during the RR campaign. US/CS? I ask because there are some options available that you might not have considered, especially if you are on a budget.

Thanks!

[Marine Mike]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Federal general issue haversacks in linseed finish are offered by N*** S*****, MB Young and Co, and Lederarsenal. The first is mid-war as the strap has a rivet, the second is early war as it lacks the rivet and Lederarsenal shows he offers it both ways. Boyd's are linseed finished are of private purchase patterns more likely used by officers. There are also traditional sized but not traditionally finished (latex) general issue from a couple of other vendors so names will not be offered.

[4vaadjutant]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby,

If you are on a budget, you might consider whether or not you would have actually had a special haversack just because you are an officer, especially if you are a junior grade officer. I have borrowed a nice officer’s haversack a couple times, which was nice but necessary in and of itself. For over three decades I have portrayed an officer and simply used a tarred federal haversack to keep my belongings. It is more important that you have the tools of your position at your disposal than whether it is in a particular container. The tarred haversack I use has served me well as its compartments have nicely kept a regulations manual, drill manual, paper, writing instruments, sealed ink bottle, officer’s appointment form, wallet, etc. Congratulations on your appointment and best wishes for success at Red River.

Tom Williams
4th Virginia Infantry
Indianapolis

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Officers Haversacks

John,
Im going for a Western Federal Impression. I portray the 48th Ohio more than I do anything else. What options do you have in mind.

Mike,
Thanks for the advice mike. I looked up MB Young and Co and I like what I see. Im sure Ill find something on their site that I want.

Tom,
Ive used my standard Federal issue haversack a few times. This will be my third time as an officer. And Im looking for something with a little extra room in it, being that I generally campaign and don't like to carry too much in my knapsack. So that being said, I do carry some personal items in my haversack as well as rations. And the little bit of room an officers haversack will provide would be much appreciated.

And Btw. Thanks for all the replies guys. Not often I need help, but when I do and I ask, yall are polite enough to answer me and not make me feel like a complete noob. 23 years old and my first event was in 93 with my pops. So I have some experience. lol.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Hey! Thanks, Tom! I was going to point out that "Tom Fool" Jackson also used a simple enlisted man's haversack.

Another option for a Federal might be to consider one of Jan Berger's (Lederarsenal) rubberized haversacks. Very authentic, and the rubberized cloth gives some "absolute" protection for your paper items.

Edit...

Shelby,
I had a chance to look at your album in your profile and the Fed officer pic looks great! You are off to a very good start! I would take Tom Williams' advice and make sure you have the stuff that goes in the haversack for your portrayal as a primary priority. Moving from there, if you want to "upgrade" a bit, some have named some sources here. Certainly "the New Jersey option" is a fine way to go that will serve you well, but is an "investment piece" for your impression (aka... not cheap, but worth it). Along the lines of the "Investment Piece", I would also recommend talking to Brian "Speedy" Merrick. He is making custom leather items, including officer haversacks. I think you can find him on Facebook under "Merrick's Custom Leather".

Keep at it, Shelby! I hope to see you in the field!

[Coatsy]

Re: Officers Haversacks

John beat me to the punch about the rubberized haversack. I've owned a Boyd Miles made officer haversack and one from Dixie Leather Works. I favored the Boyd Miles made bag every time I portrayed an officer.

On a similar note, Jeremy Bevard placed a great checklist of items to carry in an officer's haversack. They can get real heavy, real fast. Jeremy's list works very well: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...icer+haversack

[4vaadjutant]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby,

Those of us who responded with suggestions are “teachers” to one degree or another and, as such, we were more than pleased to provide you with viewpoints and information that you can use to define your portrayal. For clarification, the officer’s haversack I described is a separate one from the one I use for rations, for obvious reasons. I usually portray an adjutant so I must have more stuff than most regular line field officers. In addition to the few items I listed in my reply, I have found that having a pair of scissors and a folding ruler are helpful from time to time in my position, especially when creating hand-made forms because appropriate printed forms are not available. My scissors date to 1790 and cut very well and my folding ruler (for making rules) dates to 1847. If you need authentic forms, please let me know – I have typeset a number of the most commonly used forms for a Confederate impression as well as many federal forms. Do you have an officer’s appointment document? Best wishes to you – it appears you are on the right track.

Your most obedient servant,
Tom Williams
4th Virginia Infantry
Indianapolis

[arkangel33]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby,
I'm the owner of M.B. Young and Co. As non AC approved vendor I will say this. When it comes to period materials and construction you cannot go wrong with in my opinion. An opinion based on only the construction techniques, materials, and pattern. Makers such as L.D Hanning, Leder Arsenal, Boyd Miles, and M.B. Young and Co. These makers all have something to offer, and do it the right way from the standpoint of what you would be looking at as an investment. I would also suggest looking into the collection of the Wisconsin Veterans museum not sure what you are portraying? They have a nice selection of Wisconsin Western theatre officers Haversacks. Personally I think Jan at Leder Arsenals Rubber haversack is the BULLY! There is an original on the Horse Soldiers site at the moment for reference. At the end of the day it comes down to the research of your portrayal and going from there. I would suggest getting in contact with any of the makers and just talk to them about what you are looking at doing.

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Mike,

AS for the research for my portrayal, there isn't much out there. My father has in his possession an original copy of a book written specifically about the 48th Ohio and it chronicles them from day one of their muster to the end of the war. And being that it is an original its in a secure safety deposit box. Its the only book ever written about the 48th with the exception of a few books mentioning them and their participation in the Red River Campaign. I live in LA and all of these events are based on the Red River Campaign, except for Port Hudson. And I was informed today via text from a fellow AC member in LA that there are several AC events in LA this year. So ill be looking to go to those as well. Federal as usual. I prefer the blue when Im in LA. I have no idea why. As to the construction and materials. There honestly isn't much that me and my old man haven't extensively researched. Im just a novice when it comes to officer stuff and my old man hasn't had an officers haversack in YEARS. So I am trying to learn things as I go.

To everyone that answered on this thread. Thank you, sincerely, for your help.

[DougCooper]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby, there is a ton of info on the 48th OVI, including photos here: http://www.48ovvi.org/oh48album.html

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Officers Haversacks

I have that website book marked. As far as the little miniscule details go, there isn't as much as other units.

[Ken Cornett]

Re: Officers Haversacks

Shelby, to jump back to your original question...I have the QR haversack you mention and I would never use it for an AC listed event. I needed it in a pinch and truly got what I paid for. The buckle assembly alone made me laugh. You made a better choice for sure.