US Civil War Replica, Berdan's Sharpshooter Knapsack, F.Parker Maker

Current era manufacture. A beautiful recreation of the Prussian inspired Berdan's Sharpshooter knapsack and four-piece messkit. Originally produced by Tiffany during the war,  this example is maker marked  F.Parker & Co. on a rectangular leather tab sewn to the interior of the pack. Calfskin covered, wooden frame pack with all straps and metal fittings present, including a four-piece (counting the handle) Berdan's tinned steel messkit. Rolled on the top is a well worn poncho/gum blanket (I didn't removed to check which) secured by the original leather straps. Overall the condition is sound, exhibiting light use by the original Arizona based re-enactor. There are some weak spots on the leather harness which secures the messkit, these are the dark areas appearing in the photos, while fine for display purposes, if you intend to use this I would suggest a new set of straps made using the originals as a pattern. With original Berdan knapsacks residing in the world of unobtanium, this first class replica is a perfect stand-in for display.