Haversacks and possibles bag's

[Dryball]

Anyone here have some ideas about haversacks or possibles bags? I'm looking for some traditional way to carry a little more then what my shooting bag will hold...things like a canteen, a vest, some food,etc. Basically the stuff you'd need for a one day to overnight trek. If you have one, or plans to make one, or experience carrying one...please tell me all about it. Photo's would really help. Thanks,

Ned

[FrankG]

Beth had some for sale that I posted for her .

[Ranger]

Ned, There are many ways to go about this. You have haversacks, knapsacks, snapsacks, market wallets. I prefer a 15x15 haversack with a snapsack for the larger items. A snapsack is like an elongated duffle bag that the strap attaches to both ends.

[Dryball]

Adam, what basically is the difference between a haversack and a possibles bag? And what is a haversack normally made of? Any photos?

Ned

[TomG]

I made this back pack out of an $18.00 canvas longhunters bag.

I just added leather straps and buckles.
The bedroll contains a 5 x 9 canvas shelter,a 5 x 6 canvas ground cloth and a medium weight wool blanket.











I can carry quite a bit of food,along with my fire starting kit,bullet making kit,etc.

[Ranger]

Tom, Tat is an awesome trekking set up! You can carry your whole camp on your back. Very good!

Now to Ned's question. There has been a lot of debate on the difference between a haversack and a possibles bag. A possibles bag is more thought to relate to shooting equipment of a long hunt or trapping excursion. A haversack was used strictly for food in the early days of colonial history. Tey would carry hard tack, bacon, dryed beef, dryed peas, salt pork, whatever the ration of the day was. Men during the Rev war were issued a mess kit to 6 or 8 men. The kit was devided up between them to carry and each man carried his food ration for the day or a few days in their haversacks. Haversack of old looked like crap, they were not these fancy white canvas ones we use today. They were greasy and quite dirty from use.

[Dryball]

Tom...thank you! This helps a lot! Looks like a very good way to carry the essentials. That shelter also is just about what I'm wanting...one question....does the shelter laid out as you show it contact your head or feet?

Ned

[Dryball]

Thank you Adam, I appreciate the history lesson...I really didn't know that. How do you carry your gear?

Ned

[Ranger]

In my truck. 


I have not been on an over night trek, but I have been on a few hunting trips with the boys for the sake of trekkin. I generally use a large haversack. I put dry mocs, food, small boiler, tin cup, and horn spoon and small first aid kit in it. I keep all my rifle stuff in my shootin pouch including my small lead ladle and mold and about a half pound of lead.

[Dryball]

Thanks Adam.

Ned

[TomG]

The shelter shown will contact my head and feet if I lay straight.
If Im in the fetal position it does not.
With the way this shelter is set up it is just big enough for me and my gear.
I can have more room if I set it up like a leanto or a pyramid.
I can put a larger canvas shelter in the backpack roll if I need to.
Just decide on how much room you want verses the weight.
You can also put extra items inside the bedroll,food,utensils,gear,etc.
Just fold in the edges and strap it up tight.
Like Adam said,you can carry your entire camp on your back.
You can carry a lot of food in this pack,oats,rice,flour,cornmeal,jerky,etc.
Add a trekker skillet or small cooking pot with a flint and steel kit and you can go for many days.

[Dryball]

Is the back sewn onto the shelter...or is the 5x9 canvas just folded to make a back?

Ned

[TomG]

Its just folded to make a back.
Its a 5x9 painters drop cloth,10 oz. canvas.
I washed it in hot water then dried it on the hottes setting to shrink it up tight.
Then I sprayed it with a mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits.
You can make many different types of shelters with it.
It makes a nice leanto also.

[Dryball]

Tom, thanks a lot...you've really helped me out...having the photos  makes things so much easier to understand. I wish everyone would use photos in they're descriptions.

Ned

[battman1]

I have a question about the tent.How is the back held up?Tied to a tree limb from above?