Original Item: Only One Available. The term haversack comes from the seventeenth century Low German word hafersach meaning “a cavalry trooper's bag for horse provender,” literally an oat sack. By the mid eighteenth century the French were using the word havresac to mean “a single strapped bag worn over one shoulder and used for carrying rations.” This term came over into English with the same meaning. Prior to 1851 haversacks were made of white linen in a variety of forms and sizes.

Prior to 1851 haversacks were made of white linen in a variety of forms and sizes. Beginning in 1851 haversacks went from being white to being black in color. The white linen was painted and then sealed with linseed oil. The bag was approximately thirteen inches across and eleven inches deep, and had a top flap secured by a small leather strap and buckle arrangement in front. Inside, there was a separate white cotton or linen bag used to hold the soldier’s rations. The separate insert was held in place by three buttons so that it could be removed and laundered on occasions. This pattern haversack continued in general use until the late 1870s.

Following the Civil War, the Army experimented with brace systems in 1872 and 1874.
Although the system itself was a failure, the haversack for the 1874 Palmer Brace System
continued in use. The bag was made of drab duck canvas with brown leather buckle chapes on the upper rear corners, and a permanently attached web sling with a Chambers buckle. At the bottom of the back was a brown leather strap for connecting to the clothing bag when worn as part of the brace system. The flap was made of black rubberized canvas. On the front of the bag, covered by the outer flap, was a pocket for the meat can. Inside, the bag was divided into two compartments. There was a utensil pocket on each side with brown leather scabbards for the knife and fork to protect the bag from damage. In this example only the fork remains and the leather scabbards are replacements.

In the fall of 1877 the Army modified the haversack by replacing all of the leather items with canvas, and replacing the rubberized flap with a double canvas one with a compartment for the meat can. The principle manufacturer was Watervliet Arsenal and the stamping on this one can be found on the inside flap.

This haversack is in exceptional condition and does not appear to have seen much use. The outside flap still displays the US stamp, however, the stamp appears to have been redone at least 3 times. The leather pieces are dried and cracked but nothing too damaging is present. There are two small white linen bags that can be found on the inside which is appropriate for the model of haversack.

This is a wonderful example and very seldom seen in today’s market. Comes more than ready for further research and display.