Rigid Knapsack Question

[cwt9999]

I recently made a trip to Gettysburg and came across a rigid knapsack not in the best condition but marked at a reasonable price. It was labeled, "Early Civil War Knapsack". I collect military items from various eras so I found it a unique item since I have only ever seen knapsacks through museum glass. From my understanding the rigid knapsacks were generally phased out early in the war except for militia units.

I've attached some pictures, but it looks like this knapsack was repurposed for another use as there are some different markings on it. The 12 Sep Co, from what I could find was related to a state militia company out of Troy, NY at least in 1908. What I find interesting is what's underneath that stenciling seems to be a much older stamp. It's hard to see at different angles but using a red light lens, it's fairly readable. To me it looks like the initials are TVC with each letter superimposed over the next. On the bottom is newer stencil of 28, but looking at that as well, there seems to be an older 28 in a different font underneath that one. I did some searching around trying to match up the older stenciling but haven't been able to come up with much.

I'm curious if anyone may have some additional knowledge or resources they may be able to pass along to help figure out the past of this knapsack?

 

[Billw12280]

I recently made a trip to Gettysburg and came across a rigid knapsack not in the best condition but marked at a reasonable price. It was labeled, "Early Civil War Knapsack". I collect military items from various eras so I found it a unique item since I have only ever seen knapsacks through museum glass. From my understanding the rigid knapsacks were generally phased out early in the war except for militia units.

I've attached some pictures, but it looks like this knapsack was repurposed for another use as there are some different markings on it. The 12 Sep Co, from what I could find was related to a state militia company out of Troy, NY at least in 1908. What I find interesting is what's underneath that stenciling seems to be a much older stamp. It's hard to see at different angles but using a red light lens, it's fairly readable. To me it looks like the initials are TVC with each letter superimposed over the next. On the bottom is newer stencil of 28, but looking at that as well, there seems to be an older 28 in a different font underneath that one. I did some searching around trying to match up the older stenciling but haven't been able to come up with much.

I'm curious if anyone may have some additional knowledge or resources they may be able to pass along to help figure out the past of this knapsack? View attachment 154337 View attachment 154338 View attachment 154339 View attachment 154340

I was hoping somebody more knowledgeable than I would have replied by now, I'm curious about what other people think as well. The only thing I can think of is this knapsack could have been assigned to a militia cadet, although I'm not familiar with who TVC would have been. Since, I believe, the state militias had to supply their own uniforms and gear you can imagine their cadets probably would have used the same gear when they went into active duty. Once assigned to a company they probably would stencil that companies numbers over the cadet monogram. Just my take on this so please don't take this as gospel, there could very well be another explanation but this seems like a logical explanation to me. Cool piece though, thanks for sharing.

 

[major bill]

Is it the 12th seperate company? Solder # 28?

 

[major bill]

Also knapsacks were used through out the Civil War. Even the Confederacy was is issuing them.

 

[Billw12280]

Also knapsacks were used through out the Civil War. Even the Confederacy was is issuing them.

That brings up an interesting point, could this be a Confederate knapsack? Could the monogram, TVC, stand for Tennessee Volunteer Corp of Cadets? @ucvrelics.com can you provide insight on this?

 

[Billw12280]

I recently made a trip to Gettysburg and came across a rigid knapsack not in the best condition but marked at a reasonable price. It was labeled, "Early Civil War Knapsack". I collect military items from various eras so I found it a unique item since I have only ever seen knapsacks through museum glass. From my understanding the rigid knapsacks were generally phased out early in the war except for militia units.

I've attached some pictures, but it looks like this knapsack was repurposed for another use as there are some different markings on it. The 12 Sep Co, from what I could find was related to a state militia company out of Troy, NY at least in 1908. What I find interesting is what's underneath that stenciling seems to be a much older stamp. It's hard to see at different angles but using a red light lens, it's fairly readable. To me it looks like the initials are TVC with each letter superimposed over the next. On the bottom is newer stencil of 28, but looking at that as well, there seems to be an older 28 in a different font underneath that one. I did some searching around trying to match up the older stenciling but haven't been able to come up with much.

I'm curious if anyone may have some additional knowledge or resources they may be able to pass along to help figure out the past of this knapsack? View attachment 154337 View attachment 154338 View attachment 154339 View attachment 154340

Did the seller give any provenance for this item? What led you to believe it was associated with the 12th Separate Company out of New York. Given the fact this is an earlier Civil War hardpack and the possibility that the monogram TVC could possibly be Tennessee Volunteer Corp of Cadets (this is just a guess so please dont hold me to this)I would propose this as a possible alternative
http://www.researchonline.net/tncw/unit110.htm

 

[Billw12280]

I recently made a trip to Gettysburg and came across a rigid knapsack not in the best condition but marked at a reasonable price. It was labeled, "Early Civil War Knapsack". I collect military items from various eras so I found it a unique item since I have only ever seen knapsacks through museum glass. From my understanding the rigid knapsacks were generally phased out early in the war except for militia units.

I've attached some pictures, but it looks like this knapsack was repurposed for another use as there are some different markings on it. The 12 Sep Co, from what I could find was related to a state militia company out of Troy, NY at least in 1908. What I find interesting is what's underneath that stenciling seems to be a much older stamp. It's hard to see at different angles but using a red light lens, it's fairly readable. To me it looks like the initials are TVC with each letter superimposed over the next. On the bottom is newer stencil of 28, but looking at that as well, there seems to be an older 28 in a different font underneath that one. I did some searching around trying to match up the older stenciling but haven't been able to come up with much.

I'm curious if anyone may have some additional knowledge or resources they may be able to pass along to help figure out the past of this knapsack? View attachment 154337 View attachment 154338 View attachment 154339 View attachment 154340

I just ran across this on ebay and it looks very similar to the monogram on the hard pack, just missing the "V". So, assuming this is authentic and the seller knows what he is talking about, your assessment of it being a New York unit could be spot on.

 

[Package4]

I recently made a trip to Gettysburg and came across a rigid knapsack not in the best condition but marked at a reasonable price. It was labeled, "Early Civil War Knapsack". I collect military items from various eras so I found it a unique item since I have only ever seen knapsacks through museum glass. From my understanding the rigid knapsacks were generally phased out early in the war except for militia units.

I've attached some pictures, but it looks like this knapsack was repurposed for another use as there are some different markings on it. The 12 Sep Co, from what I could find was related to a state militia company out of Troy, NY at least in 1908. What I find interesting is what's underneath that stenciling seems to be a much older stamp. It's hard to see at different angles but using a red light lens, it's fairly readable. To me it looks like the initials are TVC with each letter superimposed over the next. On the bottom is newer stencil of 28, but looking at that as well, there seems to be an older 28 in a different font underneath that one. I did some searching around trying to match up the older stenciling but haven't been able to come up with much.

I'm curious if anyone may have some additional knowledge or resources they may be able to pass along to help figure out the past of this knapsack? View attachment 154337 View attachment 154338 View attachment 154339 View attachment 154340

These are post war militia knapsacks, they may have originally been a prewar issue item, but repurposed for post war. The Separate Companies have a long post war history. I was given one of these as a present some years back and did research into the Sep Cos.