Once again....

Cactus Jack

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Joined
May 26, 2018
It had been a long long time since I saw it, one of the movies that instilled my love for US Cavalry. I was even lucky enough to get enlisted as a cav scout back in '92 (US Army). My knees couldn't handle it, so that didn't live long. But my love is still there. The movie? "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon", staring John Wayne as Capt. Brittles. He starred in several others, I forget their names, same subject matter pretty much.

Anyhow, THAT is the kind of uniform I always wanted to wear. As for the horse, I'm gonna see if my Kawasaki will do it, because the only time me and horses get along is when I buy one from McDonalds!
 
Are you seriously looking for a uniform or just thinking out loud? Are you looking for an original Indian Wars/post Civil War US cavalry uniform or are you looking for a Hollywood costume? They are far from one and the same. Looking to have something made? How much are you willing to spend and how concerned with authenticity are you? Lots of variables to think about.
 
A proper CW-era cavalry uniform would be more like the dress uniform everyone wears in Fort Apache.

I wouldn't recommend the blue shirt, with yellow trimmed trousers, tall riding boots, and yellow neckerchief, and late 1880's greatcoat for anything reenacting CW or IW era wise, because John Ford literally made it up from nothing.

I know modern US Cavalry will wear the same get up with Stetsons, but it literally didn't exist in the Civil War or Indian Wars and was made up by a Navy Reserve Rear Admiral who directed movies. I know I wouldn't want to be caught dead in such a get up, even though I still love movies like She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, Fort Apache, Rio Grande, Horse Soldiers.

As for the Kawasaki....
 
Are you seriously looking for a uniform or just thinking out loud? Are you looking for an original Indian Wars/post Civil War US cavalry uniform or are you looking for a Hollywood costume? They are far from one and the same. Looking to have something made? How much are you willing to spend and how concerned with authenticity are you? Lots of variables to think about.
Right now looking for a era/period correct uniform. Uncertain about the details. Authenticity is a must.
 
Are you seriously looking for a uniform or just thinking out loud? Are you looking for an original Indian Wars/post Civil War US cavalry uniform or are you looking for a Hollywood costume? They are far from one and the same. Looking to have something made? How much are you willing to spend and how concerned with authenticity are you? Lots of variables to think about.
After thinking about it, I'm thinking both historically accurate and the John Wayne version. Historically accurate for living history & the John Wayne version for kicks & giggles. People can more easily ID John Wayne's get-up, and if I & friends go out trail riding, his version might be better (depending on when and where).
 
The movie? "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon", staring John Wayne as Capt. Brittles. He starred in several others, I forget their names, same subject matter pretty much.

Several others ? I imagine that you are thinking of John Ford's so-called "Cavalry Trilogy." These three movies, made in 1948, 1949 and 1950 were "Fort Apache," "Rio Grande" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

John Wayne was the male lead in all three, though he played different characters.
 
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Several others ? I imagine that you are thinking of John Ford's so-called "Cavalry Trilogy." These three movies, made in 1948, 1949 and 1950 were "Fort Apache," "Rio Grande" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

John Wayne was the male lead in all three, though he played different characters.
Don’t forget “The Horse Soldiers” with William Holden, very similar uniform and also a John Ford piece.
 
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The Indian Wars lasted for some time so are you thinking early to mid 1870s or more 1880s? There are many good books that cover the uniforms of the Indian Wars.
 
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