Impressions Accouterment Purchase Question

[SethJ]

Greetings,

I've got me my WW&Co Sack coat (Questionably tailored by myself), a pair of Trousers and suspenders from The Depot, Brogans from my Grandfather, Kepi from Dixie Gunworks, and I have it all lined up for my shirt and drawers.
However, my biggest expense would be my leather Accouterments. If I lived in a perfect world, I would love to have a set from Missouri Boot and Shoe, but in the normal world, I can't get myself a 400-dollar set of leathers without dipping into my savings (School got me stuck without a job for the time bein').

I know that I can get a set of leathers from C&C, and even if its not "campaigner quality", would the 100 (or so) dollar set be worth using for the time being until I can pick up enough money for a proper set when a cheaper one eventually fall apart.

I'd like some advice if it's worth doing, or if I should just wait to finally fall in with my company once I can afford a proper set?
If it's advisable that I should buy a set from C&C, what things can I do to 'defarb' it a bit?

Your humble servant,
-Seth

 

[captaindrew]

Do what you can afford although I always think if at all possible go with good quality from the get go instead of having to buy twice. One thing you could do is take some black shoe polish and tone down the bright white thread they sew the cheaper boxes up with that's totally wrong. That's something you can spot a mile away.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

I think you will get mixed responses to your question.

With that said do you use social media (Facebook)? If yes I suggest you join the Campaigner Quality Trade Blanket. There are gentlemen who have retired from reenacting/living history and are selling their campaigner quality gear. There are others who bought high quality kit and have decided they no longer want to participate. You can follow @captaindrew advice while searching for a higher quality used set of accoutrements.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

@SethJ do you plan on attending mainstream events or campaigner events? This is a question only you can answer and your answer will dictate what quality gear you should buy.

 

[SethJ]

@SethJ do you plan on attending mainstream events or campaigner events? This is a question only you can answer and your answer will dictate what quality gear you should buy.

Probably will be a mixture of both. This first one I may be attending will be mainstream, full of newbie cadets and only a handful of troops on either side. I do know that my company in the WCWA does try to be progressive, with some already hitting the campaigner side of things.
Thats a round about way of saying both.

I do know about the Facebook groups and am apart of a couple already. However, no new listings, and on my low budget, some things just wont cut it. I will keep an eye out however.

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Probably will be a mixture of both. This first one I may be attending will be mainstream, full of newbie cadets and only a handful of troops on either side. I do know that my company in the WCWA does try to be progressive, with some already hitting the campaigner side of things.
Thats a round about way of saying both.

I do know about the Facebook groups and am apart of a couple already. However, no new listings, and on my low budget, some things just wont cut it. I will keep an eye out however.

What kit do you need? Canteen, blanket, knapsack? If a full set of leathers do you know what long arm you will be equipped with?

 

[captaindrew]

@SethJ just do what you can afford for now. Showing that you know the difference means you've been doing your homework. It will all come together and it's much more about how you carry yourself. Keep studying and put the best kit you can and learn your drill and you'll be just fine.

 

[SethJ]

What kit do you need? Canteen, blanket, knapsack? If a full set of leathers do you know what long arm you will be equipped with?

I am in need of a canteen, blanket, and knapsack, although I am more worried about having my leathers than anything else (A soldier may march without knapsack and blanket, but he is useless without his powder and rifle). My rifle is an 1861 Springfield (dixiegunworks bought), not yet defarbed but I will get there eventually. I may have a canteen I can use but it would be very inaccurate.

(Something like this)


My current impression will be a member of Company F, 20th Maine (I have yet to earn insignia, so I am basically outfitting a regular federal soldier).

@SethJ just do what you can afford for now. Showing that you know the difference means you've been doing your homework. It will all come together and it's much more about how you carry yourself. Keep studying and put the best kit you can and learn your drill and you'll be just fine.

I have indeed been doing quite a bit of research. Most likely, an unhealthy amount.
I have learned that even mainstream gear, if defarbed to a degree, can pass for spectators, and may even be able to be satisfactory to the seasoned veteran.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Honestly, that accoutrements special from C&C will work just fine. I have a set of them. I probably have 15 years on them now and they´ve worn well. You´re gonna want a canteen, though. The SpAm war canteen is a little different from the Civil War era one, enough to be visible side by side. (For starters there´s no US stencil). A good haversack is worth the investment, possibly more than the cartridge box and waist belt. A cheap haversack tends to be too small, or wear badly in actual use.

 

[SethJ]

The SpAm war canteen is a little different from the Civil War era one, enough to be visible side by side. (For starters there´s no US stencil).

Yeah the canteen I may be able to use is from my Grandfathers old uniform. But, in a pinch, it might be all I can get.

A good haversack is worth the investment, possibly more than the cartridge box and waist belt. A cheap haversack tends to be too small, or wear badly in actual use.

I will keep that in mind. I have a tendency to carry a lot so it'll be necessary

Honestly, that accoutrements special from C&C will work just fine. I have a set of them. I probably have 15 years on them now and they´ve worn well.

This is kind of what I figured. Most likely, it's what I'll settle with.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Yeah the canteen I may be able to use is from my Grandfathers old uniform. But, in a pinch, it might be all I can get.



I will keep that in mind. I have a tendency to carry a lot so it'll be necessary



This is kind of what I figured. Most likely, it's what I'll settle with.

You need a canteen, so everybody´s likely to cut you a little slack early in the season. You can pick one up for around $50 at some point. They´re a once in a lifetime purchase unless you destroy it. I bought my current canteen 22 years ago.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

If all you can afford right now is C&C, then get that. And honestly you'll be waiting a while for MB&S anyway, and will need something to use in the meantime. You'll probably get at least a couple of years out of the cheap one, which will give you plenty of time to save up for and acquire the MB&S set.

 

[Championhilz]

Greetings,

I've got me my WW&Co Sack coat (Questionably tailored by myself), a pair of Trousers and suspenders from The Depot, Brogans from my Grandfather, Kepi from Dixie Gunworks, and I have it all lined up for my shirt and drawers.
However, my biggest expense would be my leather Accouterments. If I lived in a perfect world, I would love to have a set from Missouri Boot and Shoe, but in the normal world, I can't get myself a 400-dollar set of leathers without dipping into my savings (School got me stuck without a job for the time bein').

I know that I can get a set of leathers from C&C, and even if its not "campaigner quality", would the 100 (or so) dollar set be worth using for the time being until I can pick up enough money for a proper set when a cheaper one eventually fall apart.

I'd like some advice if it's worth doing, or if I should just wait to finally fall in with my company once I can afford a proper set?
If it's advisable that I should buy a set from C&C, what things can I do to 'defarb' it a bit?

Your humble servant,
-Seth

Seth, if you need a cap box, I have an extra one I can send you at no charge - just pm me.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I've got me my WW&Co Sack coat (Questionably tailored by myself)
However, my biggest expense would be my leather Accouterments. If I lived in a perfect world, I would love to have a set from Missouri Boot and Shoe, but in the normal world, I can't get myself a 400-dollar set of leathers without dipping into my savings (School got me stuck without a job for the time bein').

Know the feeling. Iam in the process of replacing my Pakistani made mainstream gear with gear mae from WW&Co kits.
Issued shirt and sack coat is done. Trousers is next.

But I also have the issue with leather. Would love to buy from Missouri boots and shoes, but ontop of the 440$ I got to add expensive shipping, and then 25%VAT and 20$ in fees for the paperwork at this end...

A good haversack is worth the investment, possibly more than the cartridge box and waist belt. A cheap haversack tends to be too small, or wear badly in actual use.

on top a not that old pakistanin made haversack.
Below a new one made by Conor Timoney who specializes in federal forage caps and haversacks.

Note the difference in size.

 

[7thWisconsin]

LOL - I have a couple of those cheap havesacks! I use them for tent ropes and stuff like that.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

Other than my belt all my leathers are just who knows what from a used bin. Clearly used but still in good shape. Nobody has ever commented on them negatively. Just dirty them up and I bet nobody will ever notice.

 

[iron bender]

Consider buying really good gear up front. These are my leathers I got at Shiloh in 1987 (Jarnagin). They've got well over a year of field use (haven't been to an event since 04). You will get a lifetime of use out of one set with good materials and construction. I'd also say buy a canteen that's US made through-out. S&S sells excellent haversacks and shelters, knapsacks. Obviously MBS is great but prepare to be patient. Lots of good vendors just gotta research. Buy a really good canteen the first time first

 

[OhioBlue16]

I agree with the poster above, buy it right, buy it once. Cheaper that way too in the long run. MBS makes great products but if you don't want to wait as long check out. L.D. Haning or C.A. Davisson (his stuff is at The Depot sometimes too) or Brian Merrick. I believe one of those 3 could get you a set in 4-6 months vs the 12-18 months I often see qouted for MBS

 

[iron bender]

Big yes on the Depot. Bought from them recently and very pleased

 

[SethJ]

Seth, if you need a cap box, I have an extra one I can send you at no charge - just pm me.

I may take you up on that good sir, I shall DM you when I have the time (if I get the time).