U. S. Knapsacks

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U. S. Knapsacks

"Mr. Knapsack" our famous, absolutely authentic and historically documented Civil War Double Bag Knapsack. This bag has been produced by our company for so many years our long time customers affectingly refer to it as "Mr. Knapsack" out of respect for it's impressive authenticity and durability.

How To Order

No, We Do Not Use Period Paint Recipes

YES! We use a latex base coating on all our knapsacks

and haversacks. Missouri Boot & Shoe Company made

a conscious decision not to use period paint due to fire

and health hazards both to our ourselves and to our

customers.

Please let us tell you about the Hazards of Period Paint

by clicking on the can label at right.

Double Bag Knapsack

aka "Mr. Knapsack"

DBKS

This is our absolutely historically correct copy of the war-time issue doublebag knapsack . Made from imported linen canvas with correct hand flat-felled seams and painted after construction for better waterproofing.

The V-pocket closes with buckskin ties. The leather shoulder straps have correctly scalloped ends, and the brass studs are covered with leather washers to prevent scratching the stock of the musket. If you have ever inspected the interior of one of these original knapsacks, you will remember the profusion of black linen thread that was used to chain stitch all the straps in place.

You will see this reproduced in wonderful detail in our reproduction because it is not clumsily imitated by hand but, actually sewn on an original machine. All our hardware is faithfully reproduced in correct wire gauge and finish. Finally, as a measure value, we have recently restored the second of these knapsacks that we ever made. This knapsack is over 25 years old and is still in use. (See photos below.)

We don't try to fool you by pricing our bag lower by leaving

necessary things off and making you buy them separately.

Our bags come complete with blanket roll straps, J-Hooks and Free Shipping!

DBKS-------$185.00 Postage Paid*

to lower 48 United States

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

*FREE SHIPPING

Close up showing the scalloped cut shoulder strap ends and the leather washer covered brass studs of the war-time issued Double Bag Knapsack.

Close up of the buckskin ties.

This design knapsack was also produced prior to the war. Schyukill Arsenal records reveal the use of covered shoulder strap studs and buckskin ties prior to the civil war!

The big difference between the Schuykill Arsenal produced doublebag knapsack and those made under contract is the use of machine chainstitching for the strapping by the contractors as opposed to the Arsenal's reliance on hand-stitching. The doublebag knapsack produced under contract saw extensive use of machine chainstitching.

Bottom Line, there is little differene between a "late war" marked knapsack and those produced early on.

Knapsack Replacement Parts

Extra Blanket-roll Straps(aka overcoat straps)

XBRS---------$15.50 per pair

when ordered separately

$12.00 per pair Postage Paid

with any other order.

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

to lower 48 United States

Closeup of Strap Buckle

J-Hook Straps-----------$9.00 per pair

when ordered separately

$4.50 per pair Postage Paid

with any other order.

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

to lower 48 United States

Arm Pit Straps------$11.00 per pair

when ordered separately

$6.50 per pair Postage Paid

with any other order.

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

to lower 48 United States

Buckle & Triangle Assembly

BTA-----------$12.00 each

when ordered separately

$8.00 each Postage Paid

with any other order.

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

to lower 48 United States

EXTRA J-HOOKS---------$9.50 per pair

when ordered separately

$6.00 per pair Postage Paid

with any other order.

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

to lower 48 United States

How do our knapsacks survive the test of time?

You be the judge.

"Mr. Knapsack" at age 25

The pictures at right are of a bag we made over 25 years ago! It was sent in recently for some repair work by one of our valued customers. He reported using it heavily the last 25 years and just wanted to get it "dressed up" to use many more years.

Don't throw away an old friend let us take a look at it first or purchase replacement parts below. Please contact us before sending in your knapsack.

Early War Double Bag Knapsack

EWDBK

The early war doublebag knapsack bears

a superficial resemblance to the U. S.

government double bag. These were

probably produced for issue by various

state authorities unitl the Federal government

could begin supplying knapsacks. We are

pleased to offer this early design knapsack

correctly machine sewn of cotton oil cloth.

Based upon the original in our collection,

it contains all the features common to

the knapsacks in use before 1862. Each

seam is welted with a folded piece of oil

cloth, machine sewn and then hand

serged like the original. Edges are folded

and machine topstitched. All leather

strapping is sewn into place per our original

specimen with one of our original 19th century

chain-stitch machines. The shoulder straps are

cut square, and the rivited brass studs are left

exposed. All the buckles and hooks are direct

copies of originals. This knapsack has a smaller

V-pocket than the later design. It closes with

cotton herringbone twill tape ties. The knapsack

comes with two overcoat straps.

The wooden frame is sold separately. Call or e-mail

for details.

EWDBK-NF---------$180.00 Postage Paid*

to lower 48 United States

Shipped via U S Priority Mail

*FREE SHIPPING

Back of the Early War Knapsack.

Close up showing the square cut shoulder strap ends and the exposed riveted brass studs of the Early War Style Knapsack.

So, why is there an "Early War" Doublebag Knapsack?

The issuance and use of these non-standard packs, (often seen with wooden frames) is likely the result of state contract and issue. Apparently their use was faily common in the early months of the war, gradually being phased out.

An article from the New York Sun, reprinted in the February 1, 1862 Scientific American (page 67) discloses that 200,000 contract knapsacks were delivered in January 1862 alone and in the eight months previous 700,000 were delivered. Contract prices averaged $2.00 per knapsack.

The major centers of producton were New York City, New York, (Which produced more than half the total number produced.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Newark, New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware

Back of Doublebag Knapsack

Front of bag with blacket roll straps shown rolled up and lying on top.

All our hardware is faithfully reproduced in

correct wire gauge and finish.

Close up view of black linen thread used to chain stitch all the straps in place on our bags. Just as the original bags were done.

Knapsack Repairs? You Bet!

-----Call or write for quote

We recently repaired one of our double bags that was over 25 years old! (See photos below.) Don't throw away that worn double bag you purchased from us years ago let us take a look at it first. Please contact us before sending in your knapsack.