Description: A Civil War regulation issue knapsack, as used by Union/Federal forces during the American Civil War. This style knapsack is known to collectors as the “double-bag” or the 1855 pattern knapsack. All Union soldiers were issued one of these during their military service.It is made of wood, black painted leather, and impregnated canvas. All carrying straps, closure straps, and buckle devices are missing. The black painted leather and canvas outer covering has age crazing, cracks, and minor tears. The best part however is that it is unit marked: "34th SEP. CO.", or the 34th "Separate Company". However, no information about this unit has been found. Other markings found are the numbers 86 in the bottom right side corner of the pack. The last of these markings is an "H 50" on the upper left corner of the pack.

History: Union soldiers carried their personal belongings in a knapsack. This was made of heavy canvas, painted black to repel water, with leather shoulder straps to buckle it closed. It was called the "soldier's trunk" and was large enough to hold a soldier's extra clothing, personal items, a gum blanket and shelter half (or "dog tent"). Straps on the top of the knapsack were used to tie on a rolled-up blanket or overcoat. Union soldiers were also issued a haversack, made of painted canvas that was to be used to carry rations. Inside the haversack was a detachable cotton bag that could be removed and washed. Haversacks were worn over the shoulder and became a handy device to carry not only pork, hardtack, and coffee, but personal items and extra packages of ammunition as well. As one can imagine, these became foul-smelling and saturated with grease after several weeks of carrying salt pork and other food stuffs, but it could be easily washed and cleaned or replaced. It was superior to haversacks made in the South and Confederates prized them if they could capture one.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 4 | Height(in) = 17 | Width(in) = 18 | Depth(in) = 7

Size of Artwork(in): 13.5 x 15 x 4.25"

Artist Name: N/A

Medium: Impregnated Canvas/Wood

Circa: 1861/65

In relic condition with much age crazing, a few small tears, and loss of almost all of it's leather strapping and buckles, etc., This item still remains a viable item for any Civil War collector.