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Plans for a Haversack ?

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johnston:
Saw a haversack in the county museum that was supposedly used in the War of Northern Aggression and I want to make one. My leather experience totals one quiver and even though the sack ain't rocket surgery I was wondering if anybody had a pattern. Did a search and found one Pat did in February of ought 10 but it was more of a possibles bag.

 If you can post a pic it would help me get an idea. Thanks.

Lane

Bryce H:
Lane, like most articles of the period, their design is fairly simple and practical. It really is as simple as a straight piece of canvas folded and sewn on the sides with a strap added to the bag. You can waterproof it with linseed oil or a wax or a spray. I can't believe I don't have a picture of mine somewhere; I'll try to remember to take one when I get home as I keep it in my truck.

Here's a couple links though; the designs are really quite simple however and there's endless room for decoration.

http://www.theyoungcampaigner.com/2007/11/make-your-own-c.html

http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2010/03/haversack-pattern.html

The latter link is from a guy who posts some extremely interesting stuff from the Revolutionary Period.

Hope that helps!

johnston:
Well hell, that looks like the one I saw but it is clearer in the photos.

Thank you, was just what I wanted.

Lane

Bryce H:
No problem.

In my honest opinion, I actually prefer the snapsack to the haversack. It holds way more and you can roll a blanket and oil cloth around it and/or tie a tommahawk or ax to it for chopping. It's simply a "tube" of canvas about 2 1/2-3ft long and slings around your shoulder, but it will carry more than necessary for an entire weekend excursion if you're a minimalist. The combination of haversack/snapsack you can almost live in the woods. Here's a picture of my snapsack:



It's not full, but from the other items there you can gauge the size and adapt it to the size of your body or the blanket you roll 'round it.

Pat B:
Lane, the possibles bag I made was a shrunk down version of a haversack we made at the leather shop I owned way back when. It is a simple pattern and can be hand or machine stitched. I prefer hand stitching. I could make up a pattern and mail it to you.   I'll take a pic of the one I have that was made back in 1976 or 1977 and post it here. It is a full size haversack.

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