Berdan Sharpshooter Knapsack

[@1911dawg]

I like your Swanson pyramid of greatness in the background

[@riccardodececco4404]

I did some hiking with such a knapsack many years ago - they are extremely practical if you do not want to carry too much stuff - very lightweight, but most importantly the shoulder straps are constructed in such a way that you can move your arms much more freely, whereas a classic rucksack or backpack is tying you down.

[@rc59191]

Been looking around for something similar for my Defense Militia unit most of everyone else uses either the newer army rucksacks or an assault pack would like to find a good stop gap between the two like this one.

[@153rdPVI]

Find your content really good👍 especially the one video that you made about how soldiers should salute their officers!

[@richhoule3462]

That mess kit is unbelievably modern for the time! Wow! I want one for bushcrafting.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

It was cutting edge and surprising the military didn't stick with it. I love it and use it modern camping, too. You can reach out to Captain Whitehall about where to buy one, they're about $75 I think.

[@markuswagner8863]

Oh, yes! It almost looks like, the German M1910 mess kit, which was introduced in 1910. The M1910 is still in use (with some minor changes) in the army. These knapsacks were also often used until 1945. The german word for this thing is "Tornister", but is was called "Affe" by the soldiers. "Affe" means "monkey"

[@wolfmule9914]

Hi agree must have been great to have one like that back then.

[@JavierChiappa]

@@markuswagner8863 I have the west germany mess kit and it's awesome. I just use that instead of "modern camping equipment" extremely rugged and practical, it also has the handle.

[@MrSheckstr]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS during the after action study of the civil war that the army started to back away from issuing individual rations that had to be cooked or prepared further (reheating didn’t count) and mess kits were more about dishing up and eating a portion prepared by an assigned cook or eating canned food. Part of it the reasoning was to protect the average soldier from giving themselves food poisoning, and the other was to discourage pilferage (if you can cook it, why steal it?) the result was the mess kit was simplified to focus on eating and less so on cooking. Not that it really stopped your average soldier in trying to find ways of filling their belly. Long ago while camping with the family I met a WW ONE veteran who told us the story on how he stole 3 20 ounce long handle ladles from the battalion mess who carried them throughout the war, gave them to his son who carried them into WW2 and Korea, and who gave them to his son, who took them to Vietnam. He then showed us to trick to cooking all sorts of things in a soup ladle over a fire

[@stevelipke827]

An excellent presentation of this knapsack. The best information of it that I have discovered. Thank you.

[@captaindavesulin1267]

Great job Ethan. I am of the opinion that common sense dictates that overcoats or blankets when stowed outside on top of the backpack would have been covered by the gum blanket to keep them as dry as possible. I believe the original pack that exists in SC had some of the straps removed and "eaten" by the Confederate soldier who had it in his possession.

[@erroleabrown4317]

Iv literally never seen anything like it such a fantastic bag

[@OzMan9989]

Fantastic overview.

[@andrewbarron7690]

I really enjoyed this,I have a ww2 German tornister. I like the 2nd layer of hide on the interior it surely adds weatherproofing. Thank you for posting,and I love your array of tools.

[@alexsekug1136]

Were the Berdan Sharpshooters German? The pack is essentially the same as the German tornister pack which was in use forever in their army. The mess kit is actually very similar too

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

It's not German, though likely inspired by them. The term sharpshooter comes from a German word, the green uniforms were a traditional color of European riflemen units, and there was at least one all German company. The Cpt. would have more details on that. Good eye making connections like that and sharing.

[@sondreheh5116]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Yes, most likely inspired as much of the U.S' equipment was either imported from or heavily inspired by European equipment. For example thr shell jacket inspired directly by the french.

[@TorianTammas]

alex sekug - It is basically a copy of the prussian tornister and mess kit

[@ufc990]

One of the first things he said is it's a prussian style knapsack...excellent observational skills I see :p

[@mihaiilie8808]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS It is inspired from romanian backpacks just like the Tornister and Randoseru of Japan.Belt hook backpacks used by Carpathian mountaineers in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. The fur its more of a Napoleon era thing.

[@mediocreengineering6900]

The second the video started, I noticed the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness in the background

[@civilcoinman]

Great video captian

[@VolunteerLS110]

Love the Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness poster in the background!

[@ronaldroller7176]

Great presentation. Thanks.

[@kimjordan1712]

Great video

[@TheIrishHistorian1998]

Very similar to our M36 Ranets packs especially the webbing style for belt attachment great vid!

[@joseywales6146]

Fascinating. The gear is very similar in form and function to the 782 gear I carried in the 1980's. One question: Would essential gear -field glasses, ammo, tobacco- be carried where they couldn't easily be accessed? Extra ammo and tobacco maybe, But field glasses? Maybe they were the NVGs of their day and had to be protected. Thanks again for the video!

[@ethanfogarty402]

Haha, the swanson primid of greatness is in a prefect place

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

This was a really interesting video! Thank you for sharing. 🤙🏻

[@nowhereman7813]

Thank you for your service sir😉

[@JohnSmith-vb6jx]

Great little pack. Good info, thanks.

[@bryankisner4918]

where can you get a mess Kit

[@tommydonahue924]

Very good video, keep it up!

[@davidnagore725]

Like the mess kit. You can definitely see how it evolved into the mess kits that were later used throughout Europe.

[@TorianTammas]

David Nagore - This is basically a copy of a Prussian tornister and mess kit. Not to mention that the idea of Jäger or Sharpshooters is another European concept that can be found in various armies. I consider it likely that some immigrants brought the idea how to build such a kit with them or at least remembered how to make them.

[@davidnagore725]

@@TorianTammas Hence his comment about it being "Prussian style".

[@denzel3888]

My great great great grandfather was a sharpshooter in company A.

[@RonanMacQuarrie]

Anywhere I could find the dimensions of the wood frame? Trying to make a contoured custom knapsack based off this one actually. Also your videos are awesome.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

A fine design for a Light Infantryman's pack. Looks like the Bavarian style tornister infantry Jaeger pack. The mess kit looks very German because it looks like the Kocher model of 1888 and later which the German Army used and a lot of countries did copy to include the British around the same time. The British called them Dixies and used them from the 1880s, WWI, and replaced them in the 1930s with the 2 pan mess tins.

[@TorianTammas]

Yes it is basically a german design Tornister and mess kit as it was used by prussians and later on bavarians.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

@@TorianTammas Yes it is Sir. Very much survived through the 20th Century and last into the East German Army through the 1980s. Very basic for a Light Infantryman. Food, water, and extra ammunition. I do believe that the Army in the 1890s had a similar design called the Miriam Pack and haversack for food. The square type mess kit is still in use today by the Germans, Russians, Former Eastern Bloc, and South Koreans. I still use the mess kit and Tornister pack on road trips for basic stuff packed into it. Makes very much sense for the Sharpshooters who are skilled light infantrymen and snipers, light and mobile on the battlefield less encumbered as regular infantry during the Civil War. I like the Union Sharpshooter set up for practicality. I understand that the Union Infantry opted for the rolled rubberized poncho and blanket like the Confederacy to save money on materials which were needed for more artillery and for more weapons and men. This made infantrymen more mobile on the march. The Confederates had light infantry in brigades and divisions who carried less personal equipment called "Foot Cavalry". These men trotted in formation as they were going to one place to another or moving around the battlefield to get into battle position as the Romans did a thousand years ago. Only carried water food and plenty of ammo for combat. Confederate Foot Cavalry didn't even wear shoes during Summer and were barefooted because many were country boys who were barefooted all their lives. It wasn't till WWI that the US and England were able to produce more rubberized canvas material to make the infantryman's lighter equipment, almost water repellant and lighter to make them march faster and further.

[@mihaiilie8808]

German Tornister and japanese Randoseru are inspired from romanian backpacks( Carpathian Mountaineers backpack) and the mess kits a copy of Swiss mess kits ( Alps mountaineers mess kits).

[@reddevilparatrooper]

@@mihaiilie8808 Outstanding I didn't know that? Glad for that information.

[@mihaiilie8808]

@@reddevilparatrooper If you like the backpacks you can check the romanian army ones.They are vintage but almost like the old originals.Thickest leather, biggest and most practical and also its dirt cheap,just 10 dollars one like new and it has probably 2 kilos of leather in it. The postage is more expensive.

[@Bikerbob59]

Interesting.

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

Enjoyed the seeing this rare (at least to me with most of my experience with the Infantry style knapsacks). This is sure spendy and not a lot of space if you are on a 3 day campaign style event.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

1stMinn Sharpshooters they are definitely and investment but is a great piece of kit. Surprisingly you can fit quite a bit in the pack and can very easily do 3 days of campaigning with some room to spare. Starting out I fitted almost EVERYTHING in it once and it weighed a metric ton (21 pounds) then skimmed it down to a far better weight of what I truly needed and had plenty of room. Capt Whitehall

[@barrybowden5778]

Were these packs only issued to sharp shooters? The mess kit looks great - never seen one of these. Would love to see a comparison between the double back, hard pack and sharp shooters pack. Does everyone in your company have the sharpshooters pack or is there a mix?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I'm pretty sure the sharpshooters were the only ones issued these. Though, the 1st USSS had a lot of their bags stolen during the Peninsula Campaign.The Captain would know for sure, he's our uniform historian and expert. Thanks for the great video suggestion, we'll see what we can do. Not everyone has a "hair trunk" though a lot of us do. They're a substantial investment but they're an amazing pack. It also makes a surprisingly nice pillow on bivouac. The mess kit is second to none and makes cooking a breeze at events. The others carry double bags for an appropriate mix of knapsack representation.

[@SnipeU696]

Thank you.

[@AidanBlake]

I just watched the Haversack video and was about to ask if there was one about Knapsacks, then saw this one! Both very informative, I would definitely like to see a comparison between this pack and the 1855 double bag knapsack. Curious to see how things are packed differently, whether different things were packed/carried and such. Thanks!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great video idea. It is now on our to do list!

[@danielkohli1542]

Civil war digital digest does have video on packing the double bag knapsack, but they don't compare it to this knapsack.

[@mickeyholding7970]

This appears to be a much better thought out pack than the standard Army version. And quite beautiful at that.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Very cool.

[@generoush3823]

Where can you get that pack and mess kit?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

We make them now (not the mess kit, though) but for years the only place you could really get them was acwknapsacks.com. They make quality packs. We have an article on our website on when we first started making them. If you were curious about getting one from us, just contact Cpt. Whitehall --email is on our website at www.2ndUSSS.com

[@TXCannoli]

What did y'all do with 1sgt kemp???

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Johnnyreb still around. He and I are just taking turns of doing videos since we now have the ability to do videos where we live. He has one that will be coming out soon so keep an eye out. Capt Whitehall

[@ozvaldo5977]

The belts come from the French skirmishers that moved out in front of cavalry British also used similar belts

[@karlt8233]

I jave a direct ancestor that was in Co B 1st Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters, would love to locate historical documents as to their gear. 1862-1865 His older brother was Co B 11th Georgia Infantry. 1861-1865

[@philvredevelt5391]

Where can i buy a pack like that please

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

We can make these!

[@schoonerist]

Where do you get the folding lantern?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

It's been a while, but I think I picked it up at our local sutler at an event. It's nothing fancy. I think most decent sutlers also have them in stock.

[@thecause456]

Where does one purchase the knapsack with the mess tin?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

For our company we produce our own in runs for members or those outside of the the company.

[@thecause456]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS is there somewhere I can purchase one be it from you guys or a sutler? I also sent Captain Whitehall an email about it.

[@oldveteran530]

Super vid, thank you!

[@carlruf9037]

Interesting presentation. I am a recent subscriber. I had to chuckle to myself a little when you were describing the hemp rope found on top of the knapsack. I always thought that was referred to as "Bull Sh_t"...at least according to PFC Joe Toye from "Band of Brothers" fame, in the scene where he was going through his kit prior to boarding the aircraft. You just need a pair of brass knuckles to make it all complete...lol.

[@mihaiilie8808]

Hemp rope is verry common in Europe.Hemp carpets are also common. I have similar backpacks wich have hemp rope to close.Its a verry rough and abrasive rope.

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

I want one of those.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

We do make them haha

[@Elbowendj]

Really interesting, thank you. Was there enough space for spare clothing? If not, did they have any and, if so, how did they carry it?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Many accounts of sharpshooters during and reenactor like us being able to fit the "necessities" in the pack. Only spare clothing that would have been carried was spare socks, drawers and shirt. Space was saved (we presume) because of rations and mess equipment being kept in the haversack and messkit instead of the remainder being kept in the pack like the double bag pack. Excellent question and thank you for asking!

[@Elbowendj]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Thank you.

[@JohnnyButtons]

Love this!!!!!

[@joshwelbaum]

where did you find this pack? is someone making and selling them?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

We are fortunate enough to have the ability to make them within the unit.

[@joshwelbaum]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS that is amazing. Do they have independent straps? Or do they attach to the sharpshooter like a Tornister?

[@dingram1066]

OK now I want one of those mess kits

[@dingram1066]

And I’m curious where the first sergeant got his binoculars

[@peterriboni3889]

How do you become a berdan re-enactor??

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Find a berdan unit in your area and start asking questions. Facebook can be a big resource. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have along the way.

[@nobodxy]

what is the button board used for?

[@thomast8539]

looks like you are still waiting on an answer - the soldier would slip the board over a button to isolate it from his uniform to keep the uniform from being stained when polishing his buttons - not sure why a berdan sharpshooter would need this in his kit because they typically replaced their brass buttons with those made from black rubber

[@FlyingTooFast]

Dang.....I want a knapsack

[@enriquemireles8947]

They say no question is a stupid question,so I would like to ask did anybody ever think of wearing in front with some sort of plate to act as a bullet proof vest? If not was there any kind of protection used in the civil war ? I don’t think I have read anything on this . I notice your hand tools in the background do you use them in any kind of reenactment ? Thank you.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

They did think of it. There are even period advertisements for protective waist coats. The 1st Minnesota Sharpshooter channel did a couple of videos on this and even reproduced one. While some were purchased early in the war, they were so immensely heavy and uncomfortable, they were quickly discarded. Imagine wearing half a cast iron stove around your body while marching 20 miles a day. It'd get old fast. Good question.

[@BelmontHillTV]

what are the internal dimensions?

[@johnlaking9886]

Interesting video, try having a scrip next , it will help it flow better. One point harmonicas don't come to the USA till 1868 Still very informative vid.

[@annamalin123]

If they had no Knapsack were would they put there stuff

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Typically in a blanket roll. There's quite a few accounts of Sharpshooters carrying only a blanket, spare shirt and socks in their blanket roll while on th march campaigning.

[@johnstewart8849]

Wow...there were flies so big you had to rope them??

[@burants89]

I thought Bergens were the standard for most armies but I do like that if it was lightweight

[@stevengoodloe3893]

Bergens and rucksacks wouldn't really become a thing until the 20th century. There may be some outliers, but bergens and rucksask wouldn't see general issue until the 20th century.

[@wolfmule9914]

Hi not a know it all but can just point out a rifleman's pack is a historic English term. The pack had t be square in shape and could not go lower then waist or above shoulders. Basically over many centuries of fighting in Europe and wars. People and solders just grabbed what the could. Up to WW 1 some countries where still issuing blankets to wrap everything in and wrap it around them selves. So the English had the idea of the square pack I think in early days of rifles. It stopped the solders carrying to much and carrying their rifles in their hands. Which on long marches they would drop and just keep walking forgetting them. So idea was you had the strap to carry on your rifle on shoulder, beside pack. Take care

[@ushillbillies]

INTERESTING

[@teggy689]

Another reason you don't want the pack going above your shoulders is if you need to go prone and take a firing position. If there is anything there it will push on the back of your head and stop you from being able to see your sights.

[@aaronjohnson4678]

Is that a Ron Swanson pyramid behind him

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Yes it is!

[@vernonkatz5042]

The strap adjustment system is a MOLLE system.

[@ufc990]

God I hate that "most of your heat is lost through your head" myth. Good video though!

[@LaGrandeBayou]

Kudos to the Confederate Soldier who commandeered one of the 2 only remaining off of a feckless Yankee sharpshooter.

[@kevinnunna2609]

miss kit is nice

[@basp-ef7jx]

Probably "rifle man straps" because they were not padded, allowing a soldier to shoulder the rifle and get a proper cheek weld.

[@annamalin123]

Where privates issued any quick first aid of any sort like in world war 2.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Shockingly, no. They even went to war without an ambulance corps worth mentioning. There was a massive amount of catching up to do and many soldiers died from otherwise treatable wounds. The country didn't even really know what to do with the dead until after the war. Any first aid would have been self administered with what they may have already been carrying like a handkerchief. Best case scenario they made it back to the rear and found a doctor, medical corps, or maybe shipped out to a convalescing station. That said, there may have existed some private purchase items though I haven't seen any documentation of that. Sometimes they might get something from civilians back at home but those were usually issued to groups like the Sanitary Commission, Christian Commission, or other civilian relief organizations. Excellent question!

[@rangerluxray4343]

Damn it was cheap for the US to make those back then

[@rylandmalcolm3825]

That solid frame would of gotten uncomfortable after a while!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Believe it or not, they are actually quite comfortable. The frame is cut to fit the natural contours of the back and is surprisingly thin coming in at no more than quarter of an inch. The packs also feature a few sturdy pieces of heavily oiled leather that gave a sort of floating support as well. With the shoulder straps being as wide as they were/are distribute weight across the shoulders as opposed to thin straps that would dig into them. They also hook onto the belt which incorporates the lower back for support and pulls weight evenly from the shoulders and back.

[@rylandmalcolm3825]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS I rescind, thouse are fair points

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

@@rylandmalcolm3825 no problem! I honestly thought the same thing when looking into getting my first pack. And was surprised when I wore it packed and loaded for a 8 hour living history. Only thing that hurt was my feet and not the back. Double bag knapsacks on the otherhand...

[@Billy_yank1865]

i prefer a bedroll only take what you need

[@rnp497]

it's a myth about losing most heat through your head. It is however nice to have warm ears

[@gotonin]

Can you send me one ?

[@GhostofSash1m1]

I used the 1855 double bag on a dirty girl from Hinge last night.

[@212caboose]

Wow... $3.50 in 1860 is only $111+ today... Yet reproductions cost over $400. That's a heck of a price increase!

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Price increase indeed. With modern labor and materials though, makers need to make ends meet somehow.

[@freddyflintstoned913]

To love a war is simply infuckinsane. Grow up.

[@PuReBlOoD3478]

ok viking boy

[@blauebazille8530]

Der Fellaffe

[@docaro1770]

10 more Dead Confederates? I don’t think so I seen you guys Shoot you can’t even hit water if you Fell out of a boat. Haha but good video.

[@TorianTammas]

Kris Aro - Fascinating another tin soldier.

[@billyoung7352]

Introduces himself as a captain? Get a life.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Clearly someone doesn't know how to have fun ;)

[@FdrelandsSoldaten]

Naah I'd rather do german reenactment, communists has no honor.