Beginner's question

[Max Majestic]

About how much of an investment does it usually take to get started in reenacting?

[diddyriddick]

Max,

Welcome to the site! I'm not a reenactor, but keep watching. You'll get all the info you can stand very soon!

[sunnylady]

Max,

It all depends on what the unit you join requires. Most units tell you at least to get your brogans first and they can run around $100. Most units have uniforms and equipment you can borrow until you get your own stuff.

To give you a idea of what kind of money is involved my husband and I have outfited 6 of us (3 infantry and 3 ladies). Over the last 2 1/2 yrs we have spent at least $7000. Now keep in mind that is 3 tents, both union and confederate uniforms, dresses, cooking equipment, totes, plus sleeping gear for 6 people. It all depends on where you get your uniforms and muskets from also.

Do some comparison shopping by looking at different sutlers.

[ole]

As the sunnylady suggests, it depends on the unit you choose to join. Some units might float you for a year with by lending uniforms and gear. Some might not.

This reenactors forum contains somewhere over 1300 posts. I won't suggest you read through that, but at least look through the lists to see if there's a subject that's worth taking a look at. There must be several threads where the primary question is "How much does it take to get started?" All of them have hints and pointers and advice.

A common response is to not plunk down the grand or so to equip yourself and then discover that you don't like your unit or reenacting in general. Or that your job keeps you away from the really good events. Or that a hyper-sensitivity to poison ivy, oak or sumac, or fire-ants precludes what you can do and enjoy.

In short, explore before you invest.

Seven grand for six reenactors sounds about right (but don't forget that sunnylady and her family do not go to Disneyland or the Grand Canyon or surf). Every moment they can spare goes into sleeping in tents and cooking and marching around and socializing with those who share their passions.

Stop. Look. And listen.

Oh. And welcome aboard.

Ole

[Mark Wadsworth]

Max,
Tell us more about what you are wanting to do? Are you talking about just yourself or others also?


Don't be in a rush to buy the first or the cheepest things you see. There are a lot of substanderd or non authentic things out there and in many cases you will be throwing money away. Take your time and make sure what you are getting is correct and will be used.

[RebelCaptainDave]

Excellent advice from ole & sunnylady! You two hit the nail right on the head. I found that going Confederate was not as costly as going Union. The Union impression requires more gear. The most costly item for either the Confederate or Union reenactor is the musket & leathers.

I would first find a company that has extra gear to let you use to see if you like the hobby before you invest. Try out different companies and see if you like the members as well. Some companies are very ridged and others very easy. Sit and visit all the reenactors at an event and then decide.

Captain Dave

[johan_steele]

Infantry approx $1000-1500 will get you a full kit depending upon what kind of quality you want. Arty about $500-1000... Cav I won't comment on as I refuse to get into the "Dismounted" variety vs actual Cav. I am of the opinion if you are in the Cav a horse is rather important.

Civilians... IMO low end in $500 but I'm a far cry from an expert omn that matter.

In the re-enactor forumk there are several threads on the quality and cost of gear. well worth taking a look at the forum in general.

[Mark Wadsworth]

What part of Florida are you from Max? The authenticy standard down in Florida is much lower the the other states. With the right knowlage you can learn all sorts of things.



Orlando here

[Max Majestic]

Thanks ya'll. I'd heard about $1500 (it'd just be me) and that seems to be the consensus here, too.

Oh and Mark, I'm in Jax.

[30th_il]

A lot depends upon authentic you want your gear. Sekela is a lot more expensive than Pakistan made items. There is a fair amount of used gear out there also. Ebay is one source, but if you ask around and keep your ears open you will find reenactors that have seconds or perhaps getting out of the hobby. I think I'd find a few local regts you'd be interested in joining and see what their requirements are. I have a friend that went and bought all sorts of equipment and then decided on the 69th NY (Irish Brigade) which particular uniforms and accoutrement's right down to buying a Boxwood shrub (they put a sprig on their headgear) that he had to rebuy to better fit the regt.
The musket can be an interesting subject. The 30th IL preferred the Enfield and ordered that type right up until the end of the war. At Champion's Hill , Grant told the men to throw away the Lorenz and Prussian longarms and pick up the Enfield that the CSA left behind...much to the Quartermaster's nightmare. :-)
If you want to extend you reenacting season, cold weather gear may be advisable...though located in FL...I don't think this will be an issue, :-)

[Coffee]

This is at least what it will cost if you get the right stuff the first time.

Defarbed Armisport P58 Enfield rifle musket ($900)
Canvas sling ($30)
Bayonet ($80)
Bayonet scabbard ($45)
Specticles and prescription lenses ($350)
Pocket watch with stem at 3:00 o'clock ($80)
Columbus Depot II wooljean shell jacket ($250)
Individual 1st Sgt. Stripes ($100) No premade chevrons!
Trousers ($200)
Shirt ($30)
Waist belt ($30)
Wooden canteen ($45)
White canvas haversack ($30)
Brogans ($100)
Cap pouch ($15)
Kepi ($85)
Behive hat ($120)
Suspenders: ($20)
Camp gear: ($80)

Total: $2400

Musket, bayonet, brogans. belt and equipment: C & D Jernigan, Blockade Runner and Dixie Gun Works.
Shell jacket,trousers and kepi: The Quartermaster Shop.
Shirt: Brigade Quartemaster.
Hat: Dirty Billy
Pocket watch: Gentleman's Emporium (nice shirts for $50)

I have at least two of everything except the bayonet and musket, therefore it cost me about $4000. It took about two years to collect all of it. Since I have established my size, my wife makes my button down 2" suspenders out of tapestry or canvas.

[blue_zouave]

Seven grand for six reenactors sounds about right (but don't forget that sunnylady and her family do not go to Disneyland or the Grand Canyon or surf). Every moment they can spare goes into sleeping in tents and cooking and marching around and socializing with those who share their passions.
Ole

Yes, yes, yes, and yes, Ole!

I miss it a lot, and now that I'm nearly kid-free, I may get back into it. No more marching, however!

Zou

[sunnylady]

Zou,

What is kid-free? I don't think I will ever be kid-free since we just found out the young lady living with us is expecting a little one so here I go again. Now I gotta start looking for reenacting gear for a baby ugh.

[SS in Green]

As many others have said before, what do you actually want to do? Confederate?Union? Both? Are you looking into rennacting as a special unit? Then you can go as far (if you have wife or kids) family oriented, men only? And do you want to be doing it to have fun with clothing you can just afford or get period correct clothing?

Now these are the question you have to figure out first by putting in you needs and wants from this hobby. Because they group you chose, based on what your needs and wants, determinds what the group will accept as for clothing, weapons, and gear. So this could be anywhere from just $800 to well over $1500. And when you do specialty impressions, like me ,your Rifle is already $1000 or more depending who you get it from.

Now one must consider and understand clothing is expensive in this hobby if you buy quality but it sure does last a lot longer than most of that Paki or low stream sutler. And here's a thing too, you could always sew clothing yourelf. Like buying one of Wambaugh, White, and Company Schuylkill Arsenal Blouse kit, for $125 after you totally handsewn it it could be worth well over $200. Trousers I would recommend none other than Chris Sullivan. He gives great customer sevice and will not turn you down.

Now I can go on and on but until you figure out what your needs and wants are, then we can direct you from there. Ask more questions until you can figure those out.

[TexasStrayDog]

Now we're at the meat of my interest. I think I'd like to do it; at least try it... but the logistics! Also, California wasn't exactly heavily engaged in major battles. I think the only re-enactment I could do in Sacramento would be an 1862 scene where the mayor paraded down a main street with the stars and bars in his hands and over his head - and had rocks thrown at him. I figure that outfit would cost me about $200 (including the flag), and I'd have no shortage of volunteer rock throwers in this town.

[TexasStrayDog]

SS: I see you volunteer in both north and confederate units. Does it become confusing or overwhelming acting both parts? About how much time per month do you invest in both re-enactment units?

[cwreenactorman]

I am younger that 95% of reenactors but trust me I know my stuff. When I started out it was for a school project with a leather kepi from cabelas and a sack coat off of ebay. I soon really got into this and from that time until now has costed me around $1250 including a musket. I definetly did my research and found the most accurate stuff for the best price. It took me less then a year cause I was on reenactor red bull but the average person takes about 2-3 years. Remember this is a big investment so take your time, but in the end I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Sincerely,
cwreenactorman

[lazyrebel]

I agree with cost estimates, but I did not realize muskets had gone up som much. I bought an origional Springfield 1863, ( a contract job) for $100. Got a smith carbine repro for $275 new! Guess I have been doing it too long. If you want to do cav., you will need to buy the horse and the truck and trailer to pull it. So I got over a 100, 000 in it!

[SS in Green]

SS: I see you volunteer in both north and confederate units. Does it become confusing or overwhelming acting both parts? About how much time per month do you invest in both re-enactment units?

Sorry for taking a while to respond back, but being a member in many units isn't as confusing as you might think. My main group is Co. "C" 2nd USSS, along with my mess mates from The Deadeye Mess, Co. "B" 5th KY(CSA), then I also participate with my first group I joined up with, 21st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, then friends Co. "G" 1st USSS, and then if something is going on that I have a free weekend from these groups, I'll fall in with whoever is there.

This might look like much but it isn't. If I wanted to I could do something every weekend during the spring and summer. But I don't. Just see what I'm up for make atleast 4-5 events with my main group and do regional events with my sub groups. That's why it's nice to have so many uniforms to fit in anywhere. I have garments that I can go all green, blue/green mix, US Regulation, and CS Jean Wool. But I use my Sharps for all of these, with proper research that I found CS individual soldiers that bought a Sharps Rifle through private purchase. "Major Eugene Blackford" for example.

[johan_steele]

The cost of a new Italian repop is ridiculous, IMO they aren't worth half what they are asking. For less than double the price you can get a James River Armory or an original parts gun from the likes of Lodgewood. Otherwise IMO Todd Watts and his excellent P53 defarb is the way to go. Unless you have some excess coin and want something truly splendid then you go w/ Mr Taylor out of Florida.

[Coffee]

Todd Watts is supposed to be the gunsmith who defarbs the rifle muskets and bayonets for Blockade Runner. That is where I purchased my Armisport P53 Enfield 3-band rifle musket and bayonet. The only problem I had was the nipple. I wanted topurchase several replacement rnipples so I would have clean nipples on hand all the time. I purchased a nipple from Blockade Runner that they recommended but it did not fit. I contacted Blockade Runner and they referred me to Taylor's & Co. Firearms in Florida. I was told by them it was supposed to be the nipple that Blockade Runner suggested.. Now, I do not know who defarbed my musket. It could have been either Todd Watts or Taylors & Co. .

I determined the nipple size was 5/16"-18 and I finally found the correct nipple at Dixie Gun Works ! It is their stock number NP-1430, 5/16"-18 English nipple.

[larry_cockerham]

On behalf of us flag wavers and porch sitters, could someone please define defarb? I'm marginally interested in 'upgrading' my image as well. Right now I'm a pot-bellied old Confederate.

[johan_steele]

Coffee, Todd Watts is the gunsmith who almost certainly defarbed your musket. If it was done by Blair Taylor it was done by one of the premier smiths operating in the US today. Either are quite good at their job and I would hand anything of mine off to them in a heartbeat. As to the nipple issue that would come w/ the barrell and mistakes can easily be made as depending on the Italian maker there is a different size.

[johan_steele]

The most basic defarb involves moving the S/N to the bottom of the barrel and removing the modern markings. Some will go the next step which is appllying period stamps and cartouches, swapping the sling swivels w/ the correct style (P53), and if a EuroArms P53 swapping out the bands for the correct ones and refinishing the stock. The final or best and most expensive is a whole scale rework of the weapon. It involves all of the above plus reshaping the stock to the correct dimensions and several other small but expensive alterations depending upon the weapon. When completed the only difference between an original and the repop is the barrel which is considerably thicker than the originals.

A full on Defarb job can run to $450, which IIRC, is what Blair Taylor charges.

The most correct/accurate out of the box Italian repops are the Armi Sport M1842 (both models) the Euroarms M1841. The Armi Sport P53 is the least worst of the Italians. Noone makes a good M1861 IMO, except Miroku which stopped making them several years go. There are only least worst repop of the M1861 IMO w/ Pedersoli being that least worst.

Lodgewood, Blair Taylor and Blockade Runner all offer excellent defarbs services for the P53. Zimmerman does as well though I've seen some questionable work from him and he's a bit... interesting to deal w/, though he's one very knowledgeable guy.

And Larry, you ain't old yet... just well seasoned. Wheras I'm pickled... I figure I'm good in th field for another 20 +/- 70.

On behalf of us flag wavers and porch sitters, could someone please define defarb? I'm marginally interested in 'upgrading' my image as well. Right now I'm a pot-bellied old Confederate.

[bama46]

I have seen several posts asking the question about costs to get involved in Reenacting. Now I am not a reenactor, but my son offered an observation about tools that is applicable to this conversation.

What he said is that only wealthy people can afford cheap tools (gear) as they are the only ones who can afford to replace the cheap stuff when it does not work, wears out, etc. Buy the good stuff the first time, and chances are, you won't have to buy it again...

I have seen this proven right over and over again.
Ed