World War II Infantryman with a haversack at his hip hanging from a shoulder strap A haversack or small pack is a bag with a single shoulder strap. Although similar to a backpack, the single shoulder strap differentiates this type from other backpacks. There are exceptions to this general rule. The name 'Haversack' originates from its usage to carry 'Havercake' and almost certainly related to Hafer, the German word for Oats. Havercake was a rough type of bread simply made from oats and water, with the addition sometimes of yeast to bulk it out. Oats were the staple food of the poor, especially in the textile districts of the north of England, during the privations caused by the Napoleonic Wars. Havercake was made in the form of a thick biscuit as a convenient way to take food to the factory for the mid-day meal, and the haversack was the bag in which it was carried. This system, using havercake carried in a haversack, was also used widely by the military for the individual soldier to carry his rations.

The Duke of Wellington's Regiment was nicknamed the 'Havercake Lads' because the recruiting sergeants used to display a piece of havercake held aloft on a bayonet, to signify that food would never be a problem if enlisted; a great encouragement to recruiting when the general population was starving. The haversack, especially when used in the military, was generally square about 12 inches (30 cm) per side with a button-down flap to close it. When empty the bag could be folded in three and an extra button on the back of the bag would allow it to be refixed in this position. For the military this made it neat and, when held to the side in its folded form by the soldiers belt, it became part of the uniform of many regiments in the British army. In Australia and elsewhere, the word haversack is synonymous with rucksack or other similar terms and is used to describe any backpack or more than one backpack Wearing the full M-1928 (M28) infantry haversack, this soldier wears the old style blue denim fatigues.

Haversacks were in use during the American Civil War, as recounted in Grant's memoirs, "In addition to the supplies transported by boat, the men were to carry forty rounds of ammunition in the cartridge-boxes and four days' rations in haversacks." In 1910 the U.S. Army adopted the M-1910 haversack (or M10) as the standard back pack for all infantrymen. The pack is essentially a sheet of rugged khaki-colored canvas that folds around its contents (bedroll, clothing, daily rations, and assorted personal items), and is held together by flaps and adjustable buckle-straps. The two shoulder straps are designed to attach to a web belt or suspender configuration. The exterior of the pack has loops, rings, and grommet tabs for attaching a bayonet sheath, a "meat can" (mess kit) pouch, and a canvas carrier for a short-handled shovel (a.k.a. entrenchment tool). The M-1910 haversack pack continued production during the interwar years with minor modifications and was issued to many troops in the early part of WW II due to M-1928 haversack shortages.

"An upgraded haversack was developed in 1928 that had quick release buckles and a web strap and buckle closure on the meat can pouch replacing the metal button. However, the M-1928 haversack did not go into production until 1940, and older haversacks continued to be issued until stocks were exhausted." The M-1944 Combat Pack was developed from the much lighter and user friendly US Marine Corps M1941 Jungle pack which was developed during the Banana Wars which required a lighter pack in the tropics. tumi alpha bravo cannon backpack priceThe M-1944 pack had some shortcomings and a new M-1945 began replacing earlier packs in February 1945. soma 1400 backpackThe two packs had incompatible combat and cargo packs due to different release buckles.nunatak backpack

The new two-part design, based on the Marine M-1941 Jungle pack, used a much smaller back pack (for rations, clothes, ammunition, and messkit), and a separate Cargo Bag that attached to the bottom for extra clothes, shoes, and misc. items. The upper field pack had the same type of grommet tabs and loops as the M-1928 for attaching a bayonet and entrenchment tool plus straps for securing a "horseshoe" bedroll. The M-1936 Field Bag was a copy of the British officers Musette bag of WW I and to be issued to officers and mounted personnel. gw2 aetherblade backpackIt was a smaller pack lacking shoulder straps and could be attached to a set of cotton web suspenders or carried by a single general purpose shoulder strap. backpack zentralamerikaIt intended to carry rations, mess gear, and other essential items. best way to organize your tf2 backpack

It was smaller as less essential gear would be carried on a vehicle. The Marines carried the M-1910 haversack and somewhat improved M-1928 haversack in both world wars, but they also developed their own exclusive pack system in 1941. The M-1910 haversack was considered too overweight and cumbersome for jungle fighting in the tropics of Central America during the Banana Wars years. A more versatile two-part M-1941 system was devised. This comprised an upper "marching pack" for rations, poncho and clothes, and a lower knapsack for extra shoes and utilities. The exterior of the upper pack had loops and grommet tabs for attaching a bayonet, shovel, bedroll, extra canteen, and first-aid pouch. It was issued in tan or khaki canvas. ^ a b [1][]Plywood Packboard Packboard, Plywood Army Stock Number: 74-P-27-20   1944 dated (with packboard attachment and quick release strips):   1951 dated (with lashing rope):   Manual sheet:   Quick release shoulder strip buckle:   Collapsible attachment ring: Plywood Packboard Accessories Stock Number Reference: Nomenclature Army Stock Number ATTACHMENT, PACKBOARD, PLYWOOD […]

Stock Number Reference: Rucksack, Lightweight FSN: 8465-782-3248 Assign Date: Unknown Stock Number Reference: Sling, Universal, Individual Load Carrying FSN: 8465-753-3257 Assign Date: Unknown   Manual: FM 21-15 “Care and Use of Individual Clothing and Equipment” Widely-used adjustable strap with spring hook on the ends. From top to below: 1945, 1950, 1963, 1983, 1996.   Stock Number Reference: Strap, Carrying, General Purpose Army Stock Number FSN NSN 74-S-333-50 8465-634-2808 8465-00-634-2808 Stock Number Reference: MOLLE, Hydration System NSN: 8465-01-525-5531 Assign Date: 2004-11-16 Components: Name Qty NSN Assign Date MOLLE, Bladder, Hydration System 1 8465-01-519-2304 2004-04-19 MOLLE, Carrier, Hydration System 1 8465-01-524-8362 2005-02-01 The M1912 Ration Bags were part of the failed experimental 1912 Cavalry Equipment. Consisting of two bags, they were used to carry rations for the cavalryman’s horse. The two bags laced together and could be worn on the back with the two front straps attached to the cartridge belt.

Stock Number Reference: MOLLE, Field Pack, Large, Set NSN: 8465-01-523-6276 Assign Date: 2005-02-01 Components: Name Qty NSN Assign Date MOLLE, Ruck, Large 1 8465-01-524-5285 2005-02-01 MOLLE, Pack, Frame 1 8465-01-524-8368 2005-02-01 MOLLE, Waistbelt, Molded 1 8456-01-524-7232 2005-02-01 MOLLE, Pouch, Sustainment 2 8465-01-524-7226 2005-02-01 MOLLE, Pouch, Radio 1 8465-01-524-7684 2005-02-01 MOLLE, […] Stock Number Reference: MOLLE, Pack, Assault NSN: 8465-01-524-5250 Assign Date: 2005-02-01 Early version with no “US” stamp on the front top.   Stock Number Reference: MOLLE , Rucksack Set, (Medium) MCN (Manage Control Number): 8465-01-F00-8677 Assign Date: circa 2006 NSN: 8465-01-592-7700 Assign Date: 2011-03-18 Components: Name Qty NSN Assign Date Pack, Rucksack, (Medium) 1 8465-01-592-7850 2011-03-18 Belt Waist, Rucksack 1 8465-01-592-7708 […] The M-1928 haversack was directly evolved from the M-1910 haversack which differed in only a few details. These packs were carried by American infantry (and other arms and services) from before World War I through World War II.

Shown set circa 1943. Although widely used, the M1928 pack was very impractical […] Also known as “Doughboy Pack”. The M1910 Pack consisted of three separate items designed as an integrated system: the haversack, meatcan pouch and pack carrier. The haversack could nonetheless be worn without the meatcan pouch and pack carrier, but its provided very limited strowage space. All components were made of […] Stock Number Reference: Rucksack Stock Number: 74-R-350 The last version of Marine M1941 pack series, and seems no nylon knapsack (cargo pack) or nylon M1941 suspenders. It was replaced by M1967 USMC individual equipment system (not M-1967 LLCE). The hook on the middle bottom was removed on shown one.   Stock Number Reference: Field Pack, Canvas, Combat FSN: […]said to be fit for Collins military radio, I found that Collins manufactured AN/PRC-41 using the same manpack frame (just the same pack frame for mountain ruck) , but still the small pack didn’t match PRC-41’s size.