knapsack,rucksacks,backpacks from 1865 to SAW. need info

Lord Eoin MacKenzie · December 14, 2018, 01:39:25 PM

As a broke retiree, I am looking for gear (kit), that could used from CW to SAW. I am thinking, (dangerous), about getting back into reenacting, Union, but all my gear is 1600 miles away in Iowa. I was Union Navy about 10 years ago. Infantry is Ok, since I was also in The Army reserves in the 80's. I also looking for used reenactor gear to buy. also a sack coat pattern to make the 1884 coat. Thanks.

Blair · December 14, 2018, 03:44:46 PM

Eoin,

You have set yourself a tough task.
Millions of surplus goods were left over after the ACW. These were items already paid for and the Gov. wanted to use them up before issuing any of the new (er) items being designed.
My suggestion would be to use any ACW surplus up until about 1879-80.
Many items, with some rework or modification, will still be in use into the SAW and even later.
Hope this helps,
My best,
Blair

smoke · December 14, 2018, 04:27:05 PM

Watch this guy on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/usr/luckyline1945?_trksid=p2047675.l2559 also, luckyline1941....basically hte same guy. He often sells stuff stupid cheap.

WPG runs sales on ebay at times also.

I don't reenact...all my stuff is for shooting but ebay has yielded some cheap stuff.

Lord Eoin MacKenzie · December 15, 2018, 02:23:41 PM

Thanks gentlemen. I forgot my set of the McChristian Books, with lots of info.
Now I would like to find the acw double bag for less than $90.

smoke · December 15, 2018, 06:00:16 PM

The luckyline guy had an ACW french style listed before. They were in the $50 range. It was off white canvas. I have no idea how accurate it was.

Doc Jackson · December 15, 2018, 08:32:56 PM

You could try Chris Sullivan at Stony Brook Company, he sells consignments, you could find some good stuff. He added a few sack coats today. You need to pick a time frame though, the army changed a lot from 1865 to 1898.

Grenadier · December 18, 2018, 06:02:34 PM

Honestly, the only thing from US Civil War that would work for Span Am is a canteen for some state troops. Not uncommon to see 1858 canteens. Occasionally, you will see belt buckles too. Uniforms would not be correct and were long out of supply before The Spanish American War. What Price Glory is the one stop shop for 1898.

Lord Eoin MacKenzie · January 07, 2019, 10:59:34 PM

Gentlemen, I am looking for Kit that can be used in ACW reenacting, up into the Indian wars, 1880's.Was the blanket bag used in the SAW? instead of seperate rucksack?
I am still looking for sackcoat pattern to make an1884 coat/tunic.

1961MJS · January 08, 2019, 09:47:51 AM

Quote from: Lord Eoin MacKenzie on January 07, 2019, 10:59:34 PM
Gentlemen, I am looking for Kit that can be used in ACW reenacting, up into the Indian wars, 1880's.Was the blanket bag used in the SAW? instead of seperate rucksack?
I am still looking for sackcoat pattern to make an1884 coat/tunic.

Hi

This is from MEMORY, but the Rough Riders didn't use the blanket bags, but used Civil War blanket rolls. They also used the 1878 haversack which WPG sells. you'll also need the strap to go with it. Several of the Civil War sutlers sell the Indian war / SpanAm war canteens for $50.00. Same canteen, different cover.

Later