The unit is the 7th MI Inf. who served the whole war in the East (2nd Corps). We do both powder burn and living history, but probably more living history with some large events tossed in. Overall, I'm hoping for as specific an impression as I can do without pretending to be an actual historic figure - if that makes any sense.
Thanks... You've given me quite a bit to chew on and I feel better getting different ideas. A few people have suggested Blockade Runner, Milk Creek, and Fall Creek as sutlers I might look into as they're more in my price range, but I'm not opposed to doing some of the sewing (or most of it) myself for something that might be better.
Stay away from Fall Creek uniforms and leathers... I don't know about their tinware but rather expect the same to be true. Leathers... substandard and uniforms are of the wrong pattern and wrong weight of wool. You will end up being hotter and less comfortable than w/ the appropriate weight wool. Seriously look to Waumbaugh or Regt QM Campaigner corner, I was told yesterday that their sack coats are a 1st rate vendor kit they put together which is why they can sell it as inexpensivly as they do.
Stay away from Stainless steel altogether; it stands out as very noticeable and incorrect. In the past I've told youth to go for stainless muckets and canteens and then taken them to my fathers welding shop and changed the outside finish to a more tinlike appearance. It can be done but I don't believe it is worth it... hot dipped tin is only 10-20% more expensive than stainless and looks better.
IIRC there is a Regimental history for the 7th MI VI; there certainly is plenty for II Corps! You should be able to easily find uniform and arms data and maybe even some CDV's showing actul men of the regt. If possible take a day and go to your state historical society. It will be well worth it, look to some letters & diaries if they have them and official correspondence; I've also been suprised how many images are available at various state historical societies.
Again good luck.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
If sewing is something you are considering I would certainly recommend taking a look at County Cloth and Wambaugh, White & Company for kits. With them you'll be sure to get correct materials and patterns as well as learn quite a bit about how authentic uniforms are constructed. If you have the time and patience to make your own gear it will pay dividends in the long run. This is especially evident when doing living history presentations. You'll learn a great deal about material culture in the process and be able to allow people to see and handle uniform items that are much closer to what they would normally only see behind glass.
When doing interpretation the material culture examples really can open the door to discussing a whole range of Civil war issues related to industrialization, mobilization, graft, corruption, profiteering, technological advancements, supply lines methods and procedures, imports, differences in North/South industry, etc, etc. Also I've found that handing someone a well and correctly made coat or other article and pointing out the reasons for some of the details can really help people recognize the craftsmanship, ingenuity, and intelligence of our forebears and remind them that the people of the 1860 were not a bunch of ignorant hicks but rather normal people living in a socially and technologically different era, albeit with a continuity that carries over into our own time and place.
As you are starting out I strongly recommend doing some real research (not merely eSearch but actually visit some libraries, museums and historical societies). Don't be afraid to question the authenticity and correctness of those around you. This hobby has a history of continuous progression. From cotton polyester uniforms, doughboy hats, and trapdoor springfields, to suttler row "looks good from 50 feet away" efforts, to Jarnagin gear, to County Cloth, to Don Smith museum quality reproductions, to beyond. The bar of what is good enough has continued to be raised in the hobby. Keep that in mind as you talk to different people and get their take on what you need. They may telling you what was the best or even just acceptable a generation ago. There is no end to the short cuts you could take but every step you take closer to being authentic and accurate in your impression (on all levels, not just gear) takes you closer to better understanding the time people and time period you wish to depict.
Troy,
All I can say is Amen!
You hit the nail on the head, repeatedly.
Now, if only more folks out there would follow your lead!
Cheers and Fairwinds,
Brett Silver
Buying used can save a lot of cash and the equipment already has started to look lived in. Borrow what you can for now and watch to see what you actually use. a lot of people waste money on things they really don't need and will never use. I have a closet full of stuff that only gets used once or twice a year!
Keep asking questions, reading and researching, it's teh only way to avoid making mistakes that us old timers have all made!
Buying used can save a lot of cash and the equipment already has started to look lived in. Borrow what you can for now and watch to see what you actually use. a lot of people waste money on things they really don't need and will never use. I have a closet full of stuff that only gets used once or twice a year!
Keep asking questions, reading and researching, it's teh only way to avoid making mistakes that us old timers have all made!
Good luck,
Wayne
Wayne brings up a good point about the buy/sell pages on CWreenactors page and the AC; but I want to caution that when buying from an individual over the net there is no recourse if what you receive was misrepresented. I've been burned by two different members of the A/C on the buy/sell page... no recourse. Chris Sullivans Consignment page, is what he represents and he has a business license and there would be recourse if things went bad... not likely, but the safety net is there. A business needs to make money but they also have to maintain a good reputation.
Good Luck
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
I guess I've been lucky. I've made several purchases off both forums and never had a bad result. A few e-mails to feel out the person and maybe a phone call tends to iron out most of the bad deals. if it sounds too good to be true then..... If you watch the forums for a bit you will get a feel for who is upfront and who may not be, at least that has been my experience.
As far as Chris Sulivan goes I've sold a couple of coats on his consignment page and bought more than I care to remember. He is always a gentleman, professional, and is very customer service oriented. He goes out of his way to ensure his customers are satisfied, for a pitance of commision. I also own a pair of his museum quality federal pants and they are great!
My many, many thanks to everyone for their great advice...
Quote:
I would not waste your money at the show... perhaps go and look and make some contacts but do some looking before you buy. You are looking at a $1000-$2000 investment and you want to be certain of what you are buying.
I went to the show this weekend, and have come to the conclusion (as you pointed out) to save my money for good quality stuff and probably do some of my own sewing. The only thing I saw worth my attention were a couple patterns for civilian shirts, undergarments, and the like that I could try as practice...
__________________ ~ Highfly
If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, if you want to smell hell, jine the cavalry!
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