Double-Bag Knapsack

[YoreLocal]

I'm trying to find the equipment used by the 24th Ohio, I found this but I don't have much knowledge of equipment. Does anyone have an image, or know where I can buy one?

• Double-Bag Knapsack. Two sections of black enamelled canvas attached by 4 in. stiff leather strip at top. Front section was a full bag 15 in. wide and 12 in. high, open on top, with gussets on each side, 4 in. wide at top tapering to about .2 in. Rear section consisted of a plain flap, inside which was separately attached small bag of enamelled cloth, 14 in. wide and 7 in. high. Two .5-in. straps inside top to hold a coat (?). Three blanket roll straps on top, and three for fastening flap, all riveted to back; ample slots for adjustment in both. Same studs held breast straps which buckled in front. Knapsack could be slid off shoulders by unbuckling the breast strap. One example carried by 24th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Todd, F.P. (1980). American military equipage, 1851-1872: a description by word and picture of what the American soldier, sailor, and marine of these years wore and carried, with emphasis on the American Civil War. Pg. 208.

I can't remember where it is, but I found another source which claims the regiment was given leftover 1855 Federal Knapsacks at the start of the war, and never got the new ones. The same source stated they were given Springfield 1816s converted to percussion, except for two companies which got the new 1861s. The rest of the regiment was given the newer model sometime after Corinth, but I can't remember when exactly. Below is the only good image I've been able to find of the regiment, but it doesn't show their equipment. I just feel very lucky to have found this one, as it is the only good image of George during the war. The three are privates of Co. D, Left to right; unknown, George W. Lewis, John T. Wilson. (I'm thinking Lookout Mountain 1863/4. I know it was taken during the Civil War and what else I stated above, but the photo only describes them as "sitting on a cliff.")

 

[captaindrew]

Are you looking for an original or reproduction? I only have my phone handy or I'd post link. Check out L.D. Hanning and click onto his Federal Double Bag Knapsack. He makes a very good reproduction and has some photos of his work and an original for comparison so you can at least know what one looks like.

 

[YoreLocal]

Are you looking for an original or reproduction? I only have my phone handy or I'd post link. Check out L.D. Hanning and click onto his Federal Double Bag Knapsack. He makes a very good reproduction and has some photos of his work and an original for comparison so you can at least know what one looks like.

I was looking for a reproduction, thanks!

 

[RedRover]

The 1855 pattern United States knapsack was the common pattern of US troops through 1865. The term "double-bag" knapsack is just a modern description for collectors, etc., and is used by many reenactment vendors too.

Tennessee Archives: an original...

The History of the 6th Ohio has much reference to the 24th Regiment, with which it served. They noted:

 

[Old Breck]

Yes, the 1855 bag was the latest model knapsack during the Civil War. It replaced the M1824 bag, which reenactors typically the Mexican War knapsack. For the most part, the double bag would have been issued to almost all Federal soldiers.

There were some anomalies. Occasionally, Federal soldiers would have been issued older stock. There is an account of Midwestern regiment being issued Mexican War style bags in 1864. And then there's the "Spaulding" knapsack issued to a Wisconsin solider in 1864 that combines the body of the 1824 pack and the strap of the 1855.