Description

Constructed in the common “Army” pattern, as were many such bags of the day as advertising indicates, but simply plain cotton canvas duck, not “tarred”. (plain canvas issued to some troops of both sides during the war, as well as the pre-war issue) Privately purchased by soldiers and civilians alike. Black leather strap closure with blackened roller buckle, also same as army pattern. (NOTE: Please see our notes on Haversack Straps located under the Reference and Research tab on our Home Page. Click the Research link) Button in liner in this variation is made of blue and white bed ticking, and, rather than button holes cut into the fabric, it attaches with loop tabs of blue cotton herringbone twill tape sewn into the edge. This feature was observed by us on a documented  period haversack which we examined in a personal collection, added here consistent with our continuous commitment to provide greater diversity in representation of period material culture. Interior has our period documented four hole stamped brass buttons. NOTE: Stock photos may show a different button such as our bone, tin, or enameled tin stippled buttons. (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) Marked for a wartime maker Holton and Martin Tarpaulin Depot of St. Louis who made haversacks, packs, tentage, and canvas goods of all types. (stamp based on one found on an original canvas bag in our inventory which contained 1860s pattern wooden turned tents stakes, purchased from an estate auction along with a vintage “A” frame tent and fishing equipment, camp chairs and other equipment circa 1850s-1870s) Nice to have available a Western Theater maker appropriate for either side of the line, although their goods certainly made it east as well. A handsome haversack.