Value of research

[johan_steele]

In preparing for an event this Spring I stumbled across quite a lot of excellent research that helped to educate me a good bit. I found through research tat some of what I had learned through re-enacting wasn't quite correct, I also through practical experiance and reading of period letters discovered some pretty fascinating tidbits about western troops (Federal) and Iowa & Minnesota troops in particular.

I thought this might be an interesting place to start a thread on knowledge gained through re-enacting or Living History.

[johan_steele]

One of the things I discovered was that the common Re-enactorism that Union troops only carried the tarred haversack most are familiar with. Apparently white canvas haversacks (made from sail canvas) were issued to Minesota, Iowa and quite a few Wisconsin troops. I have only found reference to these items being issued to western troops so far.

I have carried an Enfield replica until very recently when I managed to lay my paws on a Springfield made by Miroku (it's probably the closest off the shelf replica made in balance, weight and shape.) Through practical usage and experimentation I discovered quite a few things about how the weapon was carried and maintained in a campaign environment. The care is considerably more intensive than an Enfield due to the US Army fixation w/ striking everything bright. But I can now also see why the Springfield was frequently more popular than the Enfield... the reliability factor and ease of maint. is impressive.

[unionblue]

Shane,

Who is Miroku? Are they a gun manufacturer?

I also know that my outfit, the one I try to portray, carried white canvas duck haversacks and left their bullseye canteens uncovered (76th OVI).

Sincerely,
Unionblue

(Message edited by Unionblue on May 25, 2004)

[johan_steele]

Neil, Miroku is a Japanese Company that has been out of business for a while, Dixie gunworks still has some of their kits (you have to ask specifically for the Miroku), but no ready to shoot rifles.

When placed next to either an Armi-Sport or Euro-Arms the weapon appears considerably different. It's stock is correct, there isn't the bastardation of the wrist swell as seen on both Italian imports. The weight and balance is also much closer to an original. To add to this it shoots considerably better. In short the Miroku was designed to function as well as an original... I've heard that the Miroku's were put together on original barrel making equipment, though I don't think that is likely.

All the Italian import Springfields seem to have been slipping in quality and standards over the last several years. The old Navy Arms Springfields were probably the best, I'm told that the Pedersoli is very good and comparable in all things except weight and balance to an original. To be honest I'm not certain on that score.

A young lady I know picked up a Euro-Arms Springfield last year. It is nothing short of garbage, the barrel bands are ill fitting, the weight and balance is horrid and considerably worse than any CW replica I have ever handled. This rifle alone has made me blacklist Euro-Arms to any who will listen.

A couple of years ago Colt made a run of 1861 contracts... they are beautiful and differ from originals only in some of the markings. While I never cared for the Colt Contracts I was shocked at how close to an original it was... no de-farbing of this weapon needed.

To add to your note on canteens, many of C/P/H crowd claim that the blue canteen covers are all wrong they should only be brown/tan or gray. I've come across evidence of sky blue, dark blue, brown, gray, jean, white canvas and even a pink shade that might originally have been an almost burgandy. We also take it for granted that the men caried either the Bullseye or smoothside. My father has in his possesion a canteen that was w/ the 12th IA that looks more like a map case than a canteen, of coarse many are familiar w/ the patent filter canteens and w/ English canteens that saw service w/ the CSA but few seem to know of the, apparently, not all that uncommon practice of private purchase canteens.

Neil, did the 76th OVI burnish bright their canteens? I've read of that practice w/ some uncovered smoothside canteens?

I love the hobby in that the more I learn the more I realize I don't know.

[unionblue]

Shane,

Sorry to get back to your post after so long a time. No, the 76th did not burnish bright their canteens. They mainly left them uncovered or had them covered in white canvas duck as blue wool was in short supply and mainly reserved for the making of Union trousers or pants.

The 76th was originally equipped with .70 cal. Belgin, smooth bore muskets that gave a terrible kick when fired and were very inaccurate. Later, the unit was given 1861 .58 caliber Springfield rifles and you hear no more about bad weapons. It is also reported that the 76th originally was equipped with canvas haversacks, but as the war progressed they obtained the tarred variety.

Hope that helps,
Unionblue

(Message edited by Unionblue on June 10, 2004)