Impressions Whats In Your Haversack

[Legion Para]

 

[Northern Light]

This was very informative of how the soldier thought. Thanks for posting this!

 

[Tailor Pete]

I always thought it interesting that so many sutlers on 'The Row' sold Haversack Stuffers, knowing full well that a properly loaded Haversack would have little room for such things.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

On the matter of tin cups... I have heard some people also hung them from their canteen chain\string that retains the stopper, is there any truth to that or is it a reenactorism? I love my tin cup, but I use the haversack to hide a good deal of necessary farb (I'm T1D so I have little need for oodles of hardtack & certainly not need for sugar! But i do need someplace to hide my test kit.) as well as food and I find having to remove the cup every time I want something from the haversack is a bit of a pain. Whereas in my mind having ones tin cup ready when you crack open your canteen has some advantages and seems more logical... I have also heard some veterans did away with the canteen and only carried the cup, but I sort of doubt that would be a viable strategy unless your pard was willing to share his canteen!

 

[captaindrew]

I wouldn't want it on my canteen stopper, that would really be a pain in the neck every time you wanted a drink not to mention it would be clanking around like crazy, that would drive me nuts. My haversack only has a button so I tie my cup to the haversack strap and works pretty good and doesn't make any noise. I see some tie them to their bedroll. It's a matter of preference I guess as it would have been then.

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

An interesting line of thought on that. I'm liking it on my haversack for the moment so I think I will leave it there... something I did not mention but occurs to me now is that the pewter spout of canteens might be unduly stressed by extra weight on the canteen chain. I find the tin cup is still pretty clattering wherever you put it, it is like wearing a cowbell!

 

[captaindrew]

An interesting line of thought on that. I'm liking it on my haversack for the moment so I think I will leave it there... something I did not mention but occurs to me now is that the pewter spout of canteens might be unduly stressed by extra weight on the canteen chain. I find the tin cup is still pretty clattering wherever you put it, it is like wearing a cowbell!

Yeah it drives me nuts, I don't always carry mine, I only put it on if it looks like we'll be doing a long march. Tied to the backside of the strap though it doesn't make too much racket.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

It's an interesting question that I imagine might have a different answer now than back then. Having read countless accounts of immense dust clouds and dust six inches deep on the march, I wouldn't think a soldier would keep his cup outside or uncovered. I've done it before on just a couple mile march and wouldn't do it again.

Then again, these guys were getting their water from a stream or pond, not a water buffalo. They could easily dunk it and rinse it off. While reenacting I'm not of a mind to waste water in my canteen or from the spigot to rinse off a cup to fill it, so I generally store it in my haversack. Not having one has never come up, as no group I have ever been with will allow someone on the field without a canteen.

 

[JohnnyReb06]

Where would be a good place to purchase a quality haversack.

 

[captaindrew]

Where would be a good place to purchase a quality haversack.

What style? I always recommend Missouri Boot and Shoe for gear, http://www.missouribootandshoe.com/haversacks-military--civilian.html L D Hanning is also a good choice https://www.ldhaning.com/ Dan Wambaugh makes canvas haversacks http://wwandcompany.com/haversacks-canteens/ Just keep in mind these guys make their products to order so you'll have to wait a bit to get it but they are all make top notch products. You may also try the Trade Blanket for a good used one and I did see someone on there recently offering some nice looking new canvas ones, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1773554179582363/ or if you need something in stock right away try Regimental Quartermaster https://regtqm.com/shop/ or S&S https://www.ss-sutler.com/knapsacks.htm

 

[JohnnyReb06]

Thanks

 

[JohnnyReb06]

What should I so if my tarred haversack begins to feel sticky.and how should I prevent that

 

[captaindrew]

What should I so if my tarred haversack begins to feel sticky.and how should I prevent that

can't help with that one, I have a tarred gun sack that came sticky and many years later it's still sticky, I tried everything to dry it out. I have another one bought from the same place that's just fine. I still use it but it feels funky. Whenever it was made they must have had the mix off just a touch.

 

[JohnnyReb06]

Ok