The four basic packs used in the early to mid 18th century were the knapsack, the snapsack, the haversack, and the market wallet. There is another, the tumpline and bedroll, but I have been unable to find any primary documentation on this one in period paintings. Still there is some information on its use.
Knapsack with bedroll, added market wallet, oilcloth and spare moccasins.
The Snapsack.
The Haversack.
Market Wallet.
One of our group members, Deerslayer, trying out the bedroll and tumpline for the first time.
The choice of which pack you use is not one of period correctness, all four of these packs are authentic to the period, it is simply a matter of personal preference. The choices now are no different to 300 years ago. You simply have to think about what you are going to carry, and then choose the best pack to carry it in.
I think we can all agree that we want to carry a blanket roll and possibly an oilcloth. I tie my blanket roll to my knapsack straps, and my oilcloth is secured under the flap of the knapsack. If you are using any other pack, you need to think about this.
I carry a trade kettle. Not everyone wants to, I do. My kettle carries easily inside my knapsack.
This detail of "Indians Going A-Hunting" by Von Reck shows an Indian carrying a kettle on the very top of his pack.
The purpose of a longhunter was to hunt for deer skins. They did not trap them, they hunted and shot them. This means that they required lead, gunpowder, and guns. They would also need a ball mould and a lead ladle. If the gun broke, they were a long way from home, so it seems feasible that they would also carry spare gun parts and tools. These are the things you need to think about in the abscents of any documentation.
Now what else do you consider you need to carry?
"He was on horseback; I on foot
bearing my knapsack".
"After breakfast, I bade my host
farewell, buckled on my knapsack and left".
Daniel Boone. The Project
Gutenberg EBook of Daniel Boone, by John S. C. Abbott
