Where to but uniforms and equipment?

[bill1957]

I will be looking to buy uniforms and the works here in the near future. I have been given some advise but ouch $$$$$$(my middle name is not Gates). I know getting into this is not cheap and I certainly don’t want a pants leg to fall off on the battle field. So does anyone have a suggestion where I can get the most bang for my buck on a uniform and equipment without totally breaking the bank.

Bill

[bill1957]

Lets try BUY a uniform

[johan_steele]

While I have a feeling you will likely do CS here is a list of needed gear for a US Infantry Private... it isn't too much different for a CS troop and all of the vendors I mentioned do sell CS gear. CW re-enacting is a classic example of getting what you pay for. While your best bet for inexpensive is to try to buy used gear from your pards; you will need to get some new gear. You are looking to spend upwards to $1500 initially; there are some things you can skip initially but they are items you will need. Stony Brook for example has a consignment page and you can find some real jewels.

One thing I haven't mentioned is Loyalist Arms intriguing Lorenz... it is inexpensive and looks pretty darned nice; not to mention being probably the most underrepresented arm in re-enacting. That said stay away from anything else except perhaps their Enfield.

Good Luck

Required: (for active members to pass muster)
Forage Cap: M1861 regulation (or 1858 or 1862 “Hardee” hat)
Sack Coat: M1858 lined or unlined with pocket, according to regimental pattern and materials.
Trousers: M1861 kersey wool, side seam pockets, according to regimental pattern and materials.
Shirt: regulation slit front style, wool or cotton, according to regimental pattern, or civilian style and materials subject to approval, or late war placket front gray wool issue style.
Shoes: laced bootees of regulation pattern, or civilian boots subject to approval.
Cartridge Box and US Plate with Shoulder Belt and Eagle Plate: M1855, 69 or 58 calibers.
Cap Box: regulation triangular from pattern.
Waist Belt and US Plate: buff or smooth leather, brass or leather clip.
Bayonet Scabbard: buff or smooth, with integral frog, Springfield patterns.
Musket or Rifle-Musket with Angular Bayonet, following patterns: US Rifle Musket Models 1855, 1861, 1842 US Musket Models or such as approved by the unit. Foreign muskets or rifle muskets with 3 barrel bands (e.g. Enfield) and a total barrel length of approximately 40” in percussion or percussion conversion.
Replicas of any of the above specified arms are acceptable.
Additional Requirements: (for active members who have passed muster) Poncho or Gum Blanket: of regimental pattern and approved materials.
Canteen: of smooth or bulls eye pattern, of brown, gray, or sky blue color and of kersey or jean cover.
Haversack: tarred and of approved pattern or White Canvas of approved Union issue.
Blanket: tan with dark brown stripes (gray acceptable).
Mess Gear: fork, spoon knife & plate of period style.
Shelter Half: of approved pattern.
Tin cup of approved pattern.

Suggested Vendors

Firearms

Lodgewood Manufacturing http://www.lodgewood.com/ (consignment page often has wonderful deals)
Regimental Quartermaster http://www.regtqm.com/productindex.html (their de**** section is second to none and they have the best selection of various Enfield models I have seen.)
Upper Mississippi Valley Merchantile Co http://www.umvmco.com/ (best non de**** deal for price)


Leathers & non uniform gear including brogans & tinware

James Country http://jamescountry.com/
Upper Mississippi Merchantile Co http://www.umvmco.com/
Missouri Boot & Shoe http://www.missouribootandshoe.com/index.asp
The Jersey Skillet Licker http://www.skilletlicker.com/


Uniform

Stony Brook & Co http://www.bridgemicro.com/msullivan/catalog/index.htm? (Trousers)
Regimental Quartermaster http://www.regtqm.com/productindex.html (Campaigner Corner for excellent Sack Coats)
Waumbaugh White & Co http://www.wwandcompany.com/ (excellent Sack Coats)
CJ Daley http://www.cjdaley.com/ Superb gear for those who want everything right.


Hats

Dirty Billy Hats http://www.dirtybillyshats.com/
Clearwater Hats http://www.clearwaterhats.com/

Eyewear
Variety of sources
http://www.jastown.com/acces/acces.htm
http://www.metiques.com/catalog/glasses.html

[AZReenactor]

Bill,
One thing to keep in mind while shopping for gear is that you aren't just buying modern clothing but, hopefully, hand crafted reproductions using historic materials and construction methods. All too often fellows look at shirts or a pair of trousers and expect to get them for the same price as modern clothing from JC Penny or Wal-Mart. You can't expect American craftspeople to produce items for the same price as you might pay for something being produced in a foreign sweatshop using modern materials and methods for markets that readily consume millions rather than mere thousands of a product offering.

What impression are you developing and what items will you need? Do your homework and put together a list of the items you'll need and possible sources. Reproductions will require a significant investment of money and/or time if you want to put together a quality impression. There is no one stop shop for both quality and low price, but you can find some relatively good deals if you shop around. The biggest shortcoming of most cheap gear isn't merely durability but how accurately it depicts the original items. Authentic quality isn't cheap but the better gear you get in the beginning, the further it will take you in the long run.

So back to the question, what items are you looking for? What gear is needed for the impression you are putting together? What types of activities and events do you plan to participate in? What levels of quality and authenticity do you want or need in your gear? A little planning ahead will pay dividends later. Also, keep in mind that you will get much better information when you ask specific questions.

Just my $.02.

[Mark Wadsworth]

Bill,
First of all What type of Confederate uniform are you looking for? Are you looking for hand detailed quality or just cheap and grey.

If you get what you correctly need the first time it will cost more at first. But you won't have to replace anything. It will be cheaper in the long run


If you find something that is cheap you will save some at first. If you decide to upgrade in authenticy then you will have to buy everything all over again. Then you will end up spending more money on it. I picked this route many years ago and I ended up having to buy things over and over again as I learned what was needed.


Once you figure out what type of shell jacket and trousers then the real work begins. As one who makes Confederate uniforms I know what goes in to them. I will dare to say that my opinion leans towards my own work.

[Slowvost]

Buying gear takes a lot of time and research and most importantly, a reenactor passport ... called VISA.

We're building a list of reenactor sutlers at my home page but the links listed here were pretty good too.

[Historicaly Correct]

Hello,
I was in your same shoes about 10 months ago( boy that anint much ime to give advice but here goes)...
I have spent plenty of$$$$$$$$ for me and my family to get in to reenacting. From my uniform to my southern bells dresses it costs. I am not made of gold either so my advice is get started with what you can afford. My first uniform is a sutler special (jacket, pants, shirt, belt, buckle, & kepi) $250.00. It isnt the best but it will get you started. I am in the process of taking mine apart and useing it as a pattern to hand stitch my own. Weapon well you have to decide, I joined a artillery unit and didnt need one right off but im getting a side arm soon. I think and hope I dont offend any one here BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD Its better to reenact with your heart not your wallet.... That said....
The people on this board has been the best thing to happen to me as far as information and help. I may not be the best dressed I may not be the best reenactor but I feel the greatest sense of pride when I don my uniform. Please do not get discouraged start slow, may be you can borrow from some one in your unit to help get started I DID!!! Reenactors for the most part are some of the finest people in the world. I hope I fall into that catagory someday to.
Hope you enjoy the hobbie...
HC

[bill1957]

Originally Posted by Historicaly Correct

My first uniform is a sutler special (jacket, pants, shirt, belt, buckle, & kepi) $250.00. It isnt the best but it will get you started.

Thanks for your input. Like you I just want to get started. I don’t think the reenactments down here are that stricted about stitch counts as long as the clothing is time period. So I will need to start out low and upgrade latter.Making your own uniform sounds very interesting so you will have to let me know how you are doing with it. Thanks again.
Bill

[Slowvost]

Originally Posted by bill1957

Thanks for your input. Like you I just want to get started. I don’t think the reenactments down here are that stricted about stitch counts as long as the clothing is time period. So I will need to start out low and upgrade latter.Making your own uniform sounds very interesting so you will have to let me know how you are doing with it. Thanks again.
Bill

How many stitches do you need in order to be totally correct? I'm not sure I know what to look for.

Will the hardcores really count the stitches in my coat?

[FSPowers]

The best item you need for this is patience. You might look at ebay for some items (bootees, haversack, knapsack). I'm getting a Union uniform set through Fall Creek Suttlery (http:fcsutler.com) and will get a Confederate set later this year.