Are C.W. Reenactors Egotistical?

[Cavalier]

@Joshism Lots of the lessons in those old stories have very versatile applications........

John

 

[bayonet]

Do you have a smaller black SUV with an de oppressor liber decal on the rear window?

Nope not me! I don't advertise that stuff

 

[Specster]

That sounds more like you ARE trying to do the men justice by holding ones self up to the standard and look of a man from the time... I think some forget that people reenact to try and honor the memory of somebody who served.
And perhaps not everybody is there for the history... Maybe you can't be 100% authentic. Maybe you can't take a bullet or cannonball like they did...
But you can bring memory to those who fell and fought. You can bring people into more knowledge of the civil war. Perhaps you can show them what an authentic piece would look like.

I understand why some people, as yourself, may he reserved when it comes to reenactments. I do believe some people do make a mockery and do a disservice to the time and people.. But to believe that being authentic makes it worse is quite unfortunate. When saying a reenactment is bad because it has little authenticity, but then saying it's bad because it's too realistic.. it's an way of looking at things.

OK I get your drift but if one is at a reenactment, how would you know if a weapon is defarbed? why does one need to do it? In a battle will an enemy or a spectator get up close and personal to see maker marks on Springfield or Enfields? It screws up everything after the fact

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

There are egotistical, nasty, and mean people everywhere, so why not in reenacting? The real question here is, does reenacting draw an unusual amount of egotistical, nasty, mean people? I have know some reenactors who are nice and some who are not nice, but I am uncertain if reenacting is outside the norm.

I'm not sure where else I'm ever gonna get an assault threat from a teenager for calling a 1st Texas soldier an AONV soldier

 

[SethJ]

OK I get your drift but if one is at a reenactment, how would you know if a weapon is defarbed? why does one need to do it? In a battle will an enemy or a spectator get up close and personal to see maker marks on Springfield or Enfields? It screws up everything after the fact

And I understand your point. I would first like to apologize if my original comment came off harsh.

Personally, I see it as another "one more step" to making a truly authentic impression. Second, maybe not in a battle... but in an encampment, where people may be closely inspecting and looking over, and even handling not only rifles, accouterments, and tools... But also uniforms, tents, blankets, canteens, etc...

We want as much as we can to be defarbed and historically accurate because we want spectators to as immersed as we are. We want authentic goods to be seen most prominently because we are trying to honor how real it was for the people who served.

Now, I'll say this. I am NOT a campaigner reenactor by ANY means... Would I like to be? Yes! But I'm on a fixed budget (aka everything I get goes towards my vehicle debt-). I don't own a defarbed musket... I don't own a defarbed anything. You can see very much in my profile picture.. I am NOT a high budget kind of guy.

All in all, I do understand the counterfeit possibility when it comes to defarbed gear and equipment... Endless mantels exist where fakes are sold all the time... Incredibly sad...

But to sacrifice all of the steps to accuracy because a select group of Dumbo's are going to commit illegal shenanigans... Not worth the sacrifice in my opinion.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

And I understand your point. I would first like to apologize if my original comment came off harsh.

Personally, I see it as another "one more step" to making a truly authentic impression. Second, maybe not in a battle... but in an encampment, where people may be closely inspecting and looking over, and even handling not only rifles, accouterments, and tools... But also uniforms, tents, blankets, canteens, etc...

We want as much as we can to be defarbed and historically accurate because we want spectators to as immersed as we are. We want authentic goods to be seen most prominently because we are trying to honor how real it was for the people who served.

Now, I'll say this. I am NOT a campaigner reenactor by ANY means... Would I like to be? Yes! But I'm on a fixed budget (aka everything I get goes towards my vehicle debt-). I don't own a defarbed musket... I don't own a defarbed anything. You can see very much in my profile picture.. I am NOT a high budget kind of guy.

All in all, I do understand the counterfeit possibility when it comes to defarbed gear and equipment... Endless mantels exist where fakes are sold all the time... Incredibly sad...

But to sacrifice all of the steps to accuracy because a select group of Dumbo's are going to commit illegal shenanigans... Not worth the sacrifice in my opinion.

Agree with most of what you say.

Also, I'd love to see all these vendors who can reproduce originals that, their modern makers mark having been removed, are now indistinguishable from an original. Please point me in their direction and I will throw a lot of money their way.

I feel like if someone is collecting and cannot tell the difference between an original and a repro, then perhaps collecting is not the hobby for that someone.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

OK I get your drift but if one is at a reenactment, how would you know if a weapon is defarbed? why does one need to do it? In a battle will an enemy or a spectator get up close and personal to see maker marks on Springfield or Enfields? It screws up everything after the fact

If all you do is battle formations? No, spectators won't know.

But if you're doing living history interpretation where people get up close then yes they will.

And public history professionals, as well as the declining number of reenactors and the realities of safety restrictions, will continue to move towards the latter.

 

[bayonet]

Agree with most of what you say.

Also, I'd love to see all these vendors who can reproduce originals that, their modern makers mark having been removed, are now indistinguishable from an original. Please point me in their direction and I will throw a lot of money their way.

I feel like if someone is collecting and cannot tell the difference between an original and a repro, then perhaps collecting is not the hobby for that someone.

Well said. Even after I defarbed my Springfield you could still tell it was a repro, unless you are a clueless wannabe collector that can't tell the difference and should be collecting Butterflies instead.

 

[G Low]

I've been reading about the confederates lack of clothing and shoes. Some boys would rather wear homemade clothing rather than wearing government issued. Orphan brigades ( Kentucky, Missouri….) had no where to ask for clothes. I read of one boy who made shoes out of fresh skin from slaughtered cows. He said he had to tote a stick so he could run the flies off his shoes. He said that when they dried up they were 2" too short. Imagine them seeing this discussion about what is ok and what is not.

 

[G Low]

Which is better, authentic replica, or a genuine copy? Will these need to be defarbed!?

Well said. Even after I defarbed my Springfield you could still tell it was a repro, unless you are a clueless wannabe collector that can't tell the difference and should be collecting Butterflies instead.

 

[Desert Kid]

I think people who decry Civil War Re-enactments are egotistical and sad.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I am one who has given up his Anarondack chair and gone for the shakey more authentic model. More close as **** it than stitch counter but as above posters have made opines I agree with. However, I won't be using any authentic medical instruments in my " surgeries." Those are for museums I opine. Altho I could use my War of 1812 "Virgin" saw in a pinch.

I am pretty much gonna wear what I dang well please. I can't do nothing with a bulky wool shell on. Maybe a vest and rolled up sleeves for either side. I do like the idea of a straw hat … ah surgery under the fly!

I do have a bit of an ego and feel proud of my past artillery service. More so as a "doctor" it ain't about me at all but You. As a frontline first responder I want to make sure you are faking it and not having a heart attack as we have seen in the recent past.

This is a worthy "hobby" to keep going for numerous reasons. My hope is that I can help in a small way to educate and put some blood and sweat into it also.
YHS,
Doc

 

[G Low]

I'd let you hack my leg off if you had some good authentic apple brandy for pain. I'd lay in the tent with half a leg drunk and delirious for hours.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I'd let you hack my leg off if you had some good authentic apple brandy for pain. I'd lay in the tent with half a leg drunk and delirious for hours.

I would have to "chloroform" you as I opine anything else is barbarism, Here's me having my " lower right leg" "amputated " by Dr. Gill.
Humbling it is…

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I think people who decry Civil War Re-enactments are egotistical and sad.

"Decry" is a rather broad brush.

The strongest criticism of reenactments I've ever heard has all come from experienced reenactors - either criticizing the behavior of many reenactors or criticizing the educational value of battle reenactments (as opposed to smaller scale living history).

 

[JHughes81]

Do you have a smaller black SUV with an de oppressor liber decal on the rear window?

Wildly specific, lol

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

II am pretty much gonna wear what I dang well please. I can't do nothing with a bulky wool shell on. Maybe a vest and rolled up sleeves for either side. I do like the idea of a straw hat … ah surgery under the fly!

Then forgive me for asking, but why on earth do you do "historical" reenactment? If you're just wearing whatever you want, why not just set up a lecture with props and wear shorts crocs and a Hawaiian shirt?

 

[G Low]

Well maybe if he's doing a reenactment in Hawaii, and anyway that might not be his style. You know how doctors are a little high strung anyway. Nobody's worried about the doctors outfit when he's fixing to hack your leg off.

 

[bayonet]

Which is better, authentic replica, or a genuine copy? Will these need to be defarbed!?

are they not the same?

 

[bayonet]

"lower right leg" or 'Middle leg" as in why are your pants unbuttoned there?