Identified to a Wisconsin soldier, this knapsack is similar to the US Army pattern used in the Mexican War. Few if any of the Regular Army examples exist today. However, this pattern was widely copied as evidenced from existing examples. The Spaulding example is very similar, but exhibits a different shoulder strap arrangement when compared to the Mexican War pattern. It is more similar to what is referred to as the 1855 pattern. It does exhibit welted seams (as you will see in our reproduction)which is seen in other Federal knapsacks assembled in this way. Our reproduction is mostly machine sewn along with several rivets as per the original. The straps are of undyed vegetable tanned leather also as per the original. In examining this example closely it is clear the leather parts have a nice dark brown patina, but we feel it shows no sign of being dyed. We do find the natural aging color that occurs as a result of handling and over a century and a half of exposure to sunlight. The leather on our reproduction is indicative of how it would have appeared at time of manufacture. With use, our reproduction will also take on this brown “patina” pretty quickly. It has a buckling chest strap and a hook and triangle on the main carrying strap as seen on the “1855” federal knapsack pattern. This offering was a long time in the making but we are very excited about it. Original in collections of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.