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MODEL 1904 HAVERSACK – 3RD NEW YORK,
COMPANY F MARKED: Introduced with other
improvements to the horse and soldier’s equipments
immediately following the turn of the 20Th
Century, this standard Model 1904 Haversack is stenciled
on the outer cover “3 NY F 88” for F Company of the 3RD
New York Regiment.
I am unable to find any record or a 3RD New
York Artillery or Cavalry Regiment after 1900, during
the period that this haversack would have been issued,
however the 3RD New York Infantry appears
quite prominently during the first decade of the
1900’s. Due to the activity and service record of the
regiment, as well as its redesignation during the
mobilization for World War One, the period of use of
this particular haversack can be narrowed down to a very
specific period.
In the years following the Spanish American War, the 3rd
New York was dissolved and the companies resumed
peacetime National Guard duties in support of the state
and local authorities. The regiment was reformed on
March 30, 1907, and in April of 1913 the 3rd served in
Buffalo to quell rioting that resulted from a streetcar
workers’ strike. In 1916, the 3RD traveled
south to be stationed in Pharr, Texas, close to the
Mexican border in support of the U. S. Army's Punitive
Expedition into Mexico. While it is unknown if the
organization of the regiment was the same during this
Border Period, it is worth noting that during the
Spanish American War, Company F of the 3RD
New York Infantry Regiment was recruited from the
Medina, New York area.
The next year, in the Spring of 1917, when the New York
regiments were mobilized upon the entry of the United
States into World War One, the 3RD New York
was stationed at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina for
training. On October 1, 1917, the 3Rd was
redesignated the 108Th Infantry Regiment as
part of the 27TH Infantry Division of the New
York National Guard.
As this pattern of haversack was not introduced until
1904, based on the stenciled legend on the front flap,
this haversack was issued sometime between the
reactivation of the 3RD New York in 1907, and
its redesignation as the 108Th Infantry in
1917, and was quite likely used when the regiment was
participating with Pershing’s forces along the Mexican
Border. The association with this historic period of
our nation’s maturity into a world power certainly makes
the unit identification of this haversack an added
value.
This Model 1904 Haversack is in very good condition,
showing only minor evidence of having been used. The
stenciled marking on the front cover is distinct and
legible, all of the seams are intact, all the pockets on
the interior of the bag are intact, both brass
suspension hooks are present on the reverse and the
closing billet and buckle is present and intact. The
interior buttons are present that were used to attach
the bacon bag and allowed it to be removed for
cleaning. There is one very small wear hole on the
right side of the gusset – less than 1/8” in diameter –
and some light soiling, evidence of the use of this
haversack, as confirmed by the unit marking.
This is a very nice identified example of a piece of
equipment necessary to every soldier and one identified
to a very historic New York regiment.
(0235) $100
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