How to Mark your Equipment

13th Illinois · #1 07-23-2007, 03:56 PM

I'm not sure it goes here but nothing else seemed to cover this question. I have lookied and have been unable to find on this site. How would one go about marking his Civil War Equipment in a way that does not make it look unauthenic?

Dred · #2 07-23-2007, 04:12 PM

There is a reenactor section but.. whatever doesn't really matter I guess =P

Usually what I see is white or black paint with last name and a number designated by your unit on some leather portion. For instance, on the inside flap of your ammo pouch, or on the leather strap of your gun facing the stock. I am not sure however if this i period correct, but my unit in Maryland was pretty hardcore and this is how they did it.

johan_steele · #3 07-23-2007, 05:19 PM

I've seen traces of white paint on the inside flap of an original cart box which would indicate the use of white paint as a marker I've also seen white paint used on an original knapsack. Myself... I wear almost all of my gear all of the time while in the field, if it isn't on me it's being used as a pillow.

Mark Wadsworth · #4 08-10-2007, 11:21 AM

I see pros and cons to marking your equipment.
If you mark then with for a unit, then you are stuck in that unit. As a reenactor our unit designations changed to be more historical for that battle. If I marked my gear then I for my primary unit impression then I would stand out.
In my unit made some period number stencil and we used them to mark roster numbers. My number for the unit was 45. So I marked a lot of my equipment with 45. I would suggest only marking items that the number can be removed or covered up. For example a tarred haversack or knapsack, you can paint over the numbers and it won't show up. If you mark your canteen then you will have to replace the cover. If you mark your tent then you are stuck with the markings.