Description

Here is a fine vulcanized rubber haversack. An excellent example of the rubberized goods available for private purchase by the soldier and civilian alike, faithfully copied from a documented original we examined in a private collection. Like the original, sewn construction of vulcanized rubber coated heavy cotton drill, in a standard haversack pattern of the day, and closing with a single black enameled tin designed button. (NOTE: Please see our notes on Haversack Straps located under the Reference and Research tab on our Home Page. Click the Research link) The original was sans liner but had buttons in place for one.  We have placed a great period type striped lightweight cotton ticking liner inside, pattern and material based on other original private purchase and issue haversacks we have examined. (we have rec’d some inquiries in the past from soldiers concerned that the button in liner was not as deep as the haversack body. Some patterns of haversack did have a full body liner designed to be removed and either washed or replaced. They proved inadequate as the grease permeated them and quickly soiled the bag beyond effectiveness. This more shallow liner was designed as a suspension  “compartment” where the soldier could put more valued foodstuffs he wished to keep separate from the slop in the bottom of the bag, thus it is purposely made shorter than the haversack) The liner buttons in with matching black enameled tin buttons and hand sewn button holes. A simple documented rubberized haversack for the soldier/citizen or officer, not wanting the expense or attention of the fancier adorned leather affairs. This lot is marked with either the stamp of D. C. Camp of Savannah, one of the few documented southern makers and distributors of rubber goods throughout the war and prewar period, or with the stamp of the the Rubber Clothing Company who manufactured a quite large array of rubber items including such haversacks, before during and after the war.  PLEASE NOTE: Specify maker stamp in comments when ordering or we will choose the stamp you get, based on state origin of order, if possible. No Returns based on un-specified maker stamp) Many different companies made “waterproofed” haversacks with vulcanized rubber material and gutta percha, various paints and compounds, etc. References indicate that many trials were done by the US Army with them in the prewar period, the wartime period and the post war era as well. (as an excellent single source we are happy to recommend Mike Woshner’s “India-Rubber and Gutta-Percha in the Civil War Era) Rubberized haversacks were made in many different styles from this simple button closure to the standard Army Pattern, which we have also offered previously. One of the premier northern state companies producing rubber goods during the Civil War was the Rubber Clothing Company, which had widespread distribution with factories and stores in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, and Philadelphia. Ours is marked for their distribution point in Cincinnati and includes the pre-war patent dates they utilized for their process. Limited number available.