An Interesting Thing I've Noticed About Reenacting

[D.H. Hill]

Whereas one can easily find all manner of articles written about civil war reenacting, details on original uniform construction, accoutrements, and daily life, such things are very lacking for WWII reenactment. Mostly just "oh, this repro is better then that one" but rarely any explanation why. In your experiences, are Civil War reenactors more enthusiastic than other periods? I hate to say they aren't into it as much- those half-tracks, MGs, and tanks can't be too cheap. I have noticed they tend to catch more flak from collectors, so maybe that's why they don't publish more articles online, lest they be perceived as "how to make fakes to swindle collectors" guides.

 

[Frederick14Va]

They might be viewed as more enthusiastic.... My take is that the Civil War reenacting has been around longer... more time related for the hobby to have evolved and research studies more available of the material culture and details related.... and a bit more popular.... also a bit less expensive comparatively.... not as easy to obtain a fully functional Thompson.. or MG-34.... they are all considered modern firearms... hence much more limitations and restriction to find and obtain... and shoot... Just an observation but in many areas WW-I reenacting tends to have a slightly higher interest... and probably a bit less expensive weapon wise for the average trench digger...

Same as is found in Civil War reenacting... you have various levels of attention to details and authenticity standards.... I have seen the same with WW2 era reenactors... you have the "close enough" do as you will... folks.... then you have the ones that scrutinize the letter fonts on a ration package... The campaigner grade equivalent except in WW2 attire... One German Infantry group requires all to learn and speak only German while participating... also required to have German Army haircut.... The back is reportedly cut at an angle that differs from anything modern or what US GI's did.... Ive seen folks on both ends of the spectrum.... I think in time that reenactment community may also evolve and improve.... Look at civil war reenactors in the early era.... many of them were quite pitiful looking by most of todays authenticity standards.... They learned, they improved... it evolved.... Think the WW-I and WW-II will also in time...
Just an opinion and observation....

 

[cash]

By the way, this is World War II Weekend in Gettysburg. There will be plenty of WW2 reenactors in the burg.

 

[James N.]

Whereas one can easily find all manner of articles written about civil war reenacting, details on original uniform construction, accoutrements, and daily life, such things are very lacking for WWII reenactment. Mostly just "oh, this repro is better then that one" but rarely any explanation why. In your experiences, are Civil War reenactors more enthusiastic than other periods? I hate to say they aren't into it as much- those half-tracks, MGs, and tanks can't be too cheap. I have noticed they tend to catch more flak from collectors, so maybe that's why they don't publish more articles online, lest they be perceived as "how to make fakes to swindle collectors" guides.

I think it's partly because of the relative availability of original WWII uniforms and equipment. Back in the 1970's when I got into reenacting, the WWII crowd were wearing original American and German uniforms; if anyone needed to have a reproduction ( like a friend who was too big for WWII period German Y straps ), they just copied someone else's original. Not so for the Civil War - everyone had to make ( or have made for them ) some kind of reproduction - though in the very earliest days of the Centennial back in the 60's some Union cavalry and artillery had original surplus shell jackets! It wasn't until the mid-1970's that firms like C. & D. Jarnagin began to commercially mass produce replicas, and even then there was much dispute over what was "authentic". Since then, I have been truly appalled at the "Chinese junk" that's being foisted off on reenactors by many sutlers and suppliers.

 

[D.H. Hill]

That does makes sense, after all what's the point of making a reproduction Kar98k if originals are easy to come by and 100% authentic by nature.

"required to have German Army haircut"
I guess there are "reenactorisms" with the WWII people as well, as that hairstyle though popular at the beginning of the war was never actually required.

 

[Phiip McBride]

I don't know if this is relevant. But I reenact the Civil War and not WWII because my dad, who is 94 now and still delivers Meals on Wheels to "the old people" is a WWII veteran. How can I could I or his grandsons playact what he did for real while he is still on the green side of the grass? Just wouldn't seem right.

 

[Sir Didymous]

I'm just starting into ACW, and really have no desire to do WWII. It's not that I don't find it interesting, but reenacting is expensive and one must exercise some self control. That being said, I too believe it to be partially due to the number of existing originals. If someone is even somewhat dedicated to authenticity, they can look up the real deal for comparison.

More ACW kit building is based on source material such as written regulations, descriptions, and photographs; the average noob wouldn't know where to start. The need for this advice from seasoned reenactors is greater if authenticity is to be maintained, especially in groups with higher concentrations of beginners.

I know this to be true for hard period medieval reenactment where reliable source material is even harder to come by. Right now I'm trying to teach some noobs in our group about the dangers of relying too heavily on art as a source for their kit. My argument is based on this image:

It implies that not only did knights occasionally ride giant chickens, but they also did so side saddle wearing knee length surcoats.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

It implies that not only did knights occasionally ride giant chickens, but they also did so side saddle wearing knee length surcoats.

 

[glenhunter]

Intrigues me this WWII reenacting but my plate is pretty full with my 3rd. N.J. regiment. My Dad was in the Air Force over Normandy and France and is still going strong at 91. I don't know what he'd think about me reenacting in a war he fought!


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