US WATERVLIET ARSENAL MARKED CIVIL WAR GUNNER’S HAVERSACK

US WATERVLIET ARSENAL MARKED CIVIL WAR GUNNER’S HAVERSACK

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$2,250.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-9043

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A very crisply arsenal marked example of the artillery gunner’s haversack, complete and in excellent condition. These were worn by “Number 5” of the crew manning a field gun to carry the artillery round from the ammunition chest on the limber or caisson to the gun, where he handed it to “Number 2” for loading. This was a vital safety procedure, serving to prevent accidental detonation of the propellant powder charge from sparks or flaming debris generated by a battery in action and had to be sturdy enough to shield the powder charge and bear the weight of a fixed round.

Both bag and shoulder strap are made of brown leather- the 1862 ordnance manual specifies “bag leather.”  The bag is formed by a gusset sewn to the heavy front and back panels, the latter extending to form the long flap, which is secured by a leather billet sewn to the flap fastening to a roller buckle sewn to the front face of the bag. The shoulder sling is made in two pieces, sewn to the upper rear corners of the bag with three long lines of stitching each, and fastening together and adjusting with a wide roller buckle and retaining loop that would sit on the wearer’s chest.

We show the description of one of these from Gibbon’s 1860 Artillerist’s Manual, and a gun crew of the Keystone Battery posed for action, with “Number 5” carrying one of these haversacks standing somewhat apart and to the right of the gun.

The condition is excellent. The leather shows a nice, even, medium brown color, just a tad lighter on the upper front of the bag that was shielded from exposure by the flap. The shoulder strap is full length, solid, and firmly in place, as is the latch tab sewn to the flap, and both buckles with retaining loops. The shoulder belt and the latch tab both show just a crease across one hole, indicating this was actually issued and used. The center of the back shows two small spots of wear and some dappling to the finish from lying on something, and some thin white residue, but there is generally only the slightest wear evident in places along the edges of the straps or in light rubs to the finish. There is no flaking and it has not been treated with any modern leather dressing, polish, or preservatives. The lower front of the flap is clearly and crisply stamped, “U.S. / WATERVLIET / ARSENAL” in small letters just above the open-ended rectangle of stitching holding the latch tab.

These are a key piece in any artillery collection and are tough to find- they were so useful for general purposes in civilian life that their survival rate is low. This one would make a great addition to any artillery collection or display.

 

very nice condition US regulation artillery gunner’s haversack, complete, and clearly marked on the lower front of the flap: “WATERTOWN / ARSENAL / 1864/ U.S.” with an inventory number “648” stamped between the date and U.S. marking. These were made of heavy leather and provided with a narrow two-piece shoulder strap attached to the upper rear corners of the back of the bag by five rivets and adjusted by a simple brass frame buckle. The bag is formed by a gusset sewn to the heavy front and back panels, the latter extending to form the long flap, with is secured by a leather billet sewn to the flap and an iron roller buckle sewn to the front face of the bag.

In contrast to the tarred canvas haversack carrying foodstuffs and mess gear, the artillery or gunner’s haversack was worn by the “Number 5” of the gun crew on a field gun who used it to carry the artillery round from the ammunition chest carried on the limber or caisson to the gun, where he then handed it to the “Number 2” for loading into the muzzle of the cannon. Of course, these were complete, fixed rounds with the propellant powder charge contained in a cloth bag, so protection from sparks or flaming debris from firing guns while getting it to the artillery piece was a necessary consideration. Period photographs of artillerymen posed in position around their guns often show these.

The condition is excellent, with good seams, latch tab, shoulder sling and both buckles in place, and clear markings. The finish of the black leather is very good, showing just some wear along the edges of the shoulder sling, the outer fold of the flap along the top and portions of the gusset on the bottom. This has not been treated with any preservatives or polish.

These are rather tough to find, since they were so useful for general purposes in civilian life after the war. This one would make a great addition to an artillery collection or display.    [sr][ph:L]

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