Haversack Bag

A haversack is a bag, usually carried by a single shoulder strap. Haversack is originally made of canvas . Haversack bag manufacturers  mainly engaged this type of  bag for the military soldiers. The haversack, especially when used in the military, was generally about 30 cm by 30 cm 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.

The proper name for the haversack is "forage bag", or "ration bag".  For our purposes, the ration bag was "issue" equipment and was listed in the inventory of every soldier in both armies.  If lost, it was to be paid for and replaced by the soldier.  That is not to say that every soldier always had a ration bag on him at all times, though.The primary purpose of the bag is to hold the soldier's meals until they are eaten.  The bag is also intended to hold a soldier's mess kit; namely, a plate, skillet, knife, fork, and spoon.  If available, a soldier might also carry a few coarse towels or scraps of fabric to use as potholders or washcloths, some lye soap (commonly available at most sutleries today), a nutmeg grater, and possibly a few precious condiments such as nutmeg, vinegar, salt, pepper, relish and the like.

Although similar to a backpack the single shoulder strap differentiates this type from other backpacks. Backpacks are often preferred to handbags for carrying heavy loads, because of the limited capacity to carry heavy weights for long periods of time in the hands. But haversack is mainly use for the soldiers meal.