Description

The same pattern as the US Army haversack in construction but made of cotton drill canvas, which has been permeated with a rubberized coating making it virtually waterproof. This pattern haversack is well documented as being produced in painted surfaces, black vulcanized rubber as we offer, and also produced in white waterproofed canvas. While the majority of gutta percha, vulcanized rubber, and composition goods produced during the war were black or brown, wartime and pre-war advertisements indicate that waterproofed gutta percha and rubber coated haversacks, packs, talmas, raincoats, capes, etc., were also available in white and even other colors. (see Woshner) Documentation indicates examples of “white” waterproofed goods include examples such as this white canvas which is treated with a virtually transparent rubber substance. (the result is a somewhat stiff, yet pliable material product, very similar to what I found years ago an unused, completely cured “tarred” haversack was like when made with the original methods – now considered unsafe) Natural brown leather closing strap with blackened roller buckle. (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 is made of cotton muslin with hand sewn button holes. Four hole pewter buttons. Marked for a documented southern wartime maker who also advertised as a dealer in India Rubber and waterproofed goods. D.B. Camp of Savannah was one of the few documented southern producers and dealers in rubber goods who had pre-war production and stayed in business through the war. Documentation suggests that at least some of his “rubber” and waterproof goods likely did not utilize the most advanced and improved Goodyear patents. Somewhat an entrepreneur of variety, he was also a tailor, draper, and sometime maker of CS officer’s uniforms.