1914 Pattern Haversack

[peregrinvs]

Hi,

Hopefully a sight to warm the cockles of an accoutrementalist's heart: a 3rd type 1914 Pattern haversack that I've just acquired. It cost me *ahem* not a great deal as to the seller it was merely an 'old army satchel'. It also came with a 'shoulder strap' - actually a faintly but discernably 1917 dated P08 pack strap. Nice when that happens.

But alas every silver lining has a cloud and at some point somebody saw fit to remove the lower 1" Twigg buckles. I assume originals are unobtanium so does anyone know of a source of good repros?

Thanks,

Mark

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[Dave1418]

Hi Mark

Try Abbey Saddlery, Knutsford, Cheshire. The do a Sam Browne sword frog buckle (1 inch)which is very similar the only difference is the tongue which is brass instead of steel but other than that they're not a bad match. If you have any problems p.m. me

regards

Dave

[Andrew Upton]

...the only difference is the tongue which is brass instead of steel...

Originals can be found with buckles having either steel or brass tongues - the OP's example even appears to be one of the latter. Either way, another source worth contacting is Military History Workshop, who make good copies of the 1914 equipment, and often sell their metalwork seperately:

http://www.militaryhistoryworkshop.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=12

[peregrinvs]

Thanks for the suggestions. I shall investigate.

Since first posting I've noticed one of the buckles appears to be steel rather than brass. Also, the front buckles aren't matching and look a bit like they were cast rather than stamped. Is this normal for '14 Patt webbing? I'm 99℅ certain the haversack isn't a modern reproduction.

[wainfleet]

I'm 100% certain it isn't a repro. It's common to find steel, brass or a mixture of both buckles on 14 patt.

Adding copy buckles to this bag isn't necessary. 3rd pattern large packs regularly show up in tired condition and it's worth waiting for one to use the complete lower buckles and tags, leaving you with a complete pack that is entirely WW1.

[peregrinvs]

November update: Now restored by the very talented Richard Knight of Khaki on Campaign. The buckles are original (part of a group of ground dug ones I cleaned up) albeit the one on the left has had a new tongue fabricated.