Early War Knapsack, Double Bag Knapsack, Knapsack Frame, Replacement Parts & Repair
J-Hooks hand made in our shop
to match originals.
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Double Bag Knapsack
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Early War Double Bag Knapsack
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Frame for Early War Double Bag Knapsack
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Early War Knapsacks, Double Bag Knapsacks, Knapsack Frames, Replacement Parts & Repair We Offer It All
Blanket Roll Straps
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J-Hook Straps
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Arm Pit Straps
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Buckle & Triangle Assembly
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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. Boiled Linseed Oil is a main ingredient in “period paint recipes.” It contains lead, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, cadmium and nickel. These elements are toxins, carcinogens and teratogens. Material treated with boiled linseed oil can spontaneously combust into flame even after it is dry. Learn more about hazards of period paint. |
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Federal Knapsacks
Our Federal Knapsacks are faithful reproductions of original knapsacks. Years of research and study of many original examples have gone into perfecting our historically correct reproductions. The hardware is faithfully reproduced in correct wire gauge and finish. We do not use poorly made mass produced hardware. The cloth bags are made from imported linen canvas with correct hand flat-felled seams and painted after construction for better waterproofing.
We use only top grade leather sewn with waxed linen thread for our straps and blanket rolls. We don't try to fool you by pricing our bag lower by leaving necessary things off and then making you buy them separately. Our bags come complete .
We use only top grade leather sewn with waxed linen thread for our straps and blanket rolls. We don't try to fool you by pricing our bag lower by leaving necessary things off and then making you buy them separately. Our bags come complete .
Early War Double Bag Knapsack
Available With Or Without Frame
The early war double bag knapsack bears a superficial resemblance to the U. S. government double bag. These were probably produced for issue by various state authorities until the federal government could begin supplying knapsacks. We are pleased to offer this early design 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 top stitched. 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. It was sometimes used with a wooden frame inside the knapsack. For those who wish to have a frame we make and sell a frame that fits inside our Early War Double Bag Knapsacks.
So, why is there an "Early War" Double Bag 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 fairly 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 production were New York City, New York, (Which produced more than half the total number produced.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Newark, New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware.
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 top stitched. 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. It was sometimes used with a wooden frame inside the knapsack. For those who wish to have a frame we make and sell a frame that fits inside our Early War Double Bag Knapsacks.
So, why is there an "Early War" Double Bag 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 fairly 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 production were New York City, New York, (Which produced more than half the total number produced.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Newark, New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware.
Early War Double Bag Knapsacks
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Early War Bag Without Frame
EWDBK-NF--------$245.00 Early War Bag With Frame EWDB-FRAME-----270.00 Early War Knapsack Wooden Frame- Frame-ONLY FRAMEONLY---------$40.00 Caution: If you want a frame to go in a bag we did not make we can not guarantee our frame will fit your bag. 
Open view of the Early War Knapsack.
showing the V-pocket with herringbone
twill tape ties. (Bag is shown with frame in place. Frames are sold separately.
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View showing Early War Bag With Frame inside the knapsack. The Early War Knapsacks are priced With and With Out the frames.
Back View of the Early War Knapsack
showing the square cut shoulder straps
with the exposed riveted brass studs. All the studs, hooks and buckles are direct copies of the originals and are hand made in our shop. (Bag is shown with frame in place. Frames are sold separately.
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Close up views of the welted seam with
a folded piece of oil cloth, machine-sewn
and then hand-serged like the original.
Close up showing the square cut shoulder
strap ends and the exposed riveted brass
studs of the Early War Style Knapsack
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Double Bag Knapsack aka "Mr. Knapsack"*
*No you won' see the term Mr. Knapsack in your history books. The owner of the 35 plus year old knapsack shown on this page is responsible for that name. He would call over the years and tell us "Mr. Knapsack" needed some repair work or replacement parts. The name caught on with others and customers begin calling and asking to buy a "Mr.Knapsack" Double Bag. So we marked the bag in our old paper catalogs as Double Bag Knapsack aka "Mr. Knapsack". This helped customers find the bag they had heard of and wanted. Today customers will still inquire about buying a "Mr. Knapsack".
Double Bag Knapsack
aka "Mr. Knapsack" This is our absolutely historically correct copy of the war-time issue double bag 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. Our bags can provide the owner with years of service if properly cared for. Below the photos of the new Double Bag Knapsack you can view photos of one of our bags that is over 35 years old that we repaired a few years ago for the owner. It is STILL being used to this day by its original buyer. 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 and J-Hooks. They come to you fully complete and ready to take out of the box, load and take into the field. Double Bag Knapsack aka "Mr. Knapsack" DBKS----------$250.00 |
Front 0f Double Bag with blanket roll straps on top. Straps are included with the bag at no extra chaarge.
Back of Double Bag Knapsack.
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.
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 Double Bag knapsack and those made under contract is the use of machine chain stitching for the strapping by the contractors as opposed to the Arsenal's reliance on hand-stitching. The Double Bag Knapsack produced under contract saw extensive use of machine chain stitching. Bottom line, there is little difference between a"late war" marked knapsack and those produced earlier on during the war. |
How do our knapsacks survive the test of time? You be the judge.
Check out this 35 year plus old bag still in use today.
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"Mr. Knapsack" still going strong at age 35. But you must care for your bag and not abuse it if you want similar results. These pictures are of a bag we made over 35 years ago! It was sent in a few years ago for some repair work by one of our valued customers. He reported using it heavily over the years and just wanted to get it "dressed up" to use many more years. |
Don't discard your old knapsack let us take a look at it first or purchase replacement parts for it below to replace.
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Please contact us before sending in your knapsack for cost and shipping instructions. 
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Knapsack Repair
If you only have parts that have been lost or gone missing that you can install yourself they are available for purchase below.
If your bag has suffered damage that will require professional repair we suggest you e-mail photos to us of your bag before sending it in for repair work. This way we can better determine if it is repairable and if so give you an estimate of the cost. This
will save you from the expense of mailing bags back and forth that can not be repaired.
All bags must be sent with a minimum of $20.00 For Return Shipping. Bags sent without return shipping and unannounced are subject to disposal as we see fit. The payment must be in the form of a cashier's check, money order or made by Debit or Credit Cards or PayPal. No Personal Checks, as a few "bad apples" ruined it for all.
If you only have parts that have been lost or gone missing that you can install yourself they are available for purchase below.
If your bag has suffered damage that will require professional repair we suggest you e-mail photos to us of your bag before sending it in for repair work. This way we can better determine if it is repairable and if so give you an estimate of the cost. This
will save you from the expense of mailing bags back and forth that can not be repaired.
All bags must be sent with a minimum of $20.00 For Return Shipping. Bags sent without return shipping and unannounced are subject to disposal as we see fit. The payment must be in the form of a cashier's check, money order or made by Debit or Credit Cards or PayPal. No Personal Checks, as a few "bad apples" ruined it for all.
Knapsack Replacement Parts
All our replacement parts are made by hand of top grade materials and are the exact same parts as we use on our own products. Order extra straps and hooks for your gear or order replacements for lost or damaged parts on your equipment. A great way to get extra mileage out of your investment in your equipment.
All our replacement parts are made by hand of top grade materials and are the exact same parts as we use on our own products. Order extra straps and hooks for your gear or order replacements for lost or damaged parts on your equipment. A great way to get extra mileage out of your investment in your equipment.
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Blanket-roll Straps (aka overcoat straps) Pair of our hand stitched blanket-roll straps with our faithfully reproduced hardware, correct wire gauge and finish. Correctly hand made here in our shop. BRStraps---$20.00.per pair SAVE When ordered with any order totaling $100.00 or more BRStraps/Separate-$26.00 per pair When ordered separately or with order totaling under $100.00. |
Close up of buckle end
of Blanket Roll Strap.
Extra Blanket-roll (aka overcoat strap)
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Set of Brass J-Hooks
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One Set of Brass J-Hooks Hand made in our shop to match original J-Hooks in our collection. These are not the bulky mass produced J-Hooks you see on sutler row bag, but are hand made one pair at a time by hand here in our shop.
Order an extra pair to have on hand for replacing a lost hook or for using as fasteners. J-Hooks---$6.00.per pair SAVE When ordered with any order totaling $100.00 or more J-Hooks/Separate--$10.00 per pair When ordered separately or with order totaling under $100.00 |
J-Hooks made by hand in our shop
to match originals. No one else has these J-Hooks
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J-Hook Straps (Holds your brass J-Hooks) Each pair of these straps are made of top grade leather and finished just as the original J-Hook Straps were. They are ready to install on your knapsack. 
J-Hook Straps
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J-HookSTRAPS---$6.00.per pair SAVE When ordered with any order totaling $100.00 or more J-HookSTRAPS/Separate--$11.00 per pair When ordered separately or with order totaling under $100.00 |
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This Buckle & Triangle Assembly is faithfully reproduced in correct wire gauge and finish. Made of quality metals not the cheap and easily broken pot metals many sutler row assemblies are made of. The leather part that joins the two pieces of hardware is top grade leather and hand sewn. This Buckle & Triangle Assembly is a faithful copy of the original ones in our collection.
BTA---$9.00 each SAVE When ordered with any order totaling $100.00 or more BTA/Separate--$14.00 each When ordered separately or with order totaling under $100.00 |
Buckle & Triangle Assembly
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Arm Pit Straps
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Each pair of these straps are made of top grade leather and finished just as the original Arm Pit Straps were. They are ready to install on your knapsack in minutes. Keep a pair on hand to replace one of the heaviest used parts on your knapsack, that if broken renders the bag almost useless.
Arm Pit Strap
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Arm Pit Straps are Available in Two Lengths
Original Length, 17 inches long or XL Length, 24 inches long Specify Length when ordering APS---$7.00 per Pair SAVE When ordered with any order totaling $100.00 or more APS/Separate--$11.00 per Pair When ordered separately or with order totaling under $100.00 |
