BRITISH KNAPSACK OF 97TH REGIMENT OF FOOT, LATE 18TH CENTURY.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024

This knapsack was worn by a member of the 97th Regiment of Foot or Inverness-shire Highlander, which was raised in 1794 by Sir James Grant and largely served as Marines aboard the Channel Fleet. They were later drafted into the 42nd Highlanders and the Marines in 1795 following a mutiny. Their knapsacks, accoutrements and other items purchased by the colonel remained his property and kept at Castle Grant until the 1960s, when the surviving pieces were divided up and given to various museums in Great Britain. The knapsack is important to Revolutionary War students, however, as it is the earliest known example of a British double-bag knapsack of painted linen extant--essentially of the same form and dimensions as those carried by British and Provincial (Loyalist) troops during that earlier conflict. The pack is 18 inches across and 13 inches deep as worn doubled, with straps of brown tanned leather, affixed to the pack with iron harness buckles. The outer flap and the back of the pack are waterproofed by yellow ochre paint, with the regimental number and title applied on the flap. Other examples of 97th Foot packs are in The National Army Museum (London), The Scottish War Museum, and at Fort George, Inverness. Deaccessioned from the Lewes Military Museum upon its closure and acquired in 2015. CONDITION: Very good as found in light of age; the leather strapping rather stiff; there is a split down a side seam of the flap/outer bag, not visible unless examined closely. An extremely rare example of a British military knapsack of the 18th century.