Artillery Question ???

[jr baker]

I am in the artillery here in tenn and I was wanting to know if anybody has carryed a revolver in a reenactments I have been thinking on getting one just for the looks of it thanks

 

[Joey12thga]

People carry them all the time. However it depends if you want to be historically correct or are just going for the "kewl factor".

 

[johan_steele]

Testify brother! Joey is spot on, pistols being carried by arty crews is a quick indicator of a lack of research. IMO ranks up there w/ 1/2 & 3/4 scale guns at an event.

People carry them all the time. However it depends if you want to be historically correct or are just going for the "kewl factor".

 

[3rdUSRedleg]

I am in the artillery here in tenn and I was wanting to know if anybody has carryed a revolver in a reenactments I have been thinking on getting one just for the looks of it thanks

If you are chief-of-the-piece go for it. But you will soon learn that
it is more a pain then what it is worth.
If you are just a private. I would strongly suggest not to bother.

If you get one, because you want one badly....
Don't forget to have it approved and inspected by the
Artillery Safety/Ordnance Officer before you go on the field at events!!

 

[jr baker]

I am a private this is my second year of doing it I was wanting just for the looks I wouldn't load it to shooting in the reenactment. And I am looking at one because I am in the scv also so I thought it would look good in our memoral service and on christmas parades and I do living history some that some of the of the guys bring there guns for displays I am looking at a spiller and burr revolver

 

[Joey12thga]

I am a private this is my second year of doing it I was wanting just for the looks I wouldn't load it to shooting in the reenactment. And I am looking at one because I am in the scv also so I thought it would look good in our memoral service and on christmas parades and I do living history some that some of the of the guys bring there guns for displays I am looking at a spiller and burr revolver

See answers above.

 

[Republican Blues]

What Joey said.........

 

[Poor Private]

It does all depend on what unit and time you are portraying.
As a member of Morgan's raiders who were both cavalry and artillery and infantry our unit wears sidearms when directed by our unit commander. When acting as a member of Morgans' infantry no side-arm, when as cav., yes. When on the cannon yes. The primary cannons of Morgan were Mt. Howitzers which they called "bullpups". And has been stated here and in other forums "never say never", there is always an exception to the rule.
But generally a sidearm was not needed, or used by artillery. If the oppising forces were getting that close you generally skedaddled and let your infantry support handle your rear guard.

 

[jr baker]

I am on mt howitzer I am on the limber a lot and Another one of the guy said he was getting one so if he starts take his I might bring one it. And I am think on joining the dismonted cav so I would need revolver but that would be long time from now

 

[Republican Blues]

biting cheek and tongue

 

[johan_steele]

Are you trying to honor the men who went before you or just there to play war and look kewl? That is the question you have to ask yourself. The CS never had enough pistols to arm their Cav, an Artillarymen unlikely to ever use his would soon find it in the hands of the Cav who would desperately need it.

I am on mt howitzer I am on the limber a lot and Another one of the guy said he was getting one so if he starts take his I might bring one it. And I am think on joining the dismonted cav so I would need revolver but that would be long time from now

 

[coltshooter1]

A famous Marine once said a pistol is just for getting a better weapon. Artillery is the Queen of the Field so why worry about a side arm. Let the other guys carry around the extra weight and don't worry about looking cool.

 

[Republican Blues]

Just plain dont bother with the bloody thing.....you will find its nothing but an encumbrance. I own two.. how many do I carry as an officer NONE. I cant wait to get rid of both and get a nice little pocket model. As a redleg, you will find the thing in the way, and just more weight on your belt. If you have a small boat, then a great use for a full size revolver is as a dandy boat anchor. A staff officer or company clerk could maybe have one, as they also serve as a bully paperweight, but then so does the conveniently available rock.

When you say dismounted Cavalry, do you mean you will actually ride and then dismount, or are you implying the equine deprived "cavalry"?

 

[jr baker]

I am going to get a revolver but I won't carry with me when I do reenactment I do want to be as close to what the soldier had back then had as I can. But when we do living history i More the likely will because when we have The living historys we have pistols and other guns on display. And I am in the scv and we have a living history display once a year that I would bring one. Too

 

[johan_steele]

I guess I'm just a stubborn purist, if them that were in the thick of it weren't carrying a pistol... why do you need to? I can understand if you want one to shoot or want to do some cowboy shooting but with a Living History for the Arty? I just don't see a need for it. It's misleading to those wishing to learn something. Then again IMO there are far more Mtn Howitzers in the re-enacting world than ever existed in the ACW.

For me Living History is a static or interactive display where the Public has an opportunity to be educated about the life of a soldier. For me Arty doing a Living History w/ pistols and a Mountain Howitzer isn't too far off from CS Cav w/ nary a horse in sight, a sabre, a brace of Walker Colts and a Henry Rifle telling people that was standard issue for the CS Cav. The reality is always less is more when it comes to the CS soldier. For that matter less is more for the US soldier of the period as well.

 

[johan_steele]

Besides spend the coin you would on a pistol on a pretty dress for the better half. That way she won't pester you about spending all that coin.

 

[ole]

Besides spend the coin you would on a pistol on a pretty dress for the better half. That way she won't pester you about spending all that coin.

Nah. Get her a nice Mixmaster. Will guarantee that she'll love it.

 

[Poor Private]

Nope a pistol makes a good investment, if you know what your buying. I currently have 15 BP pistols. and a gun case full of long guns(both modern and BP) Everything from a 2nd model colt dragoon down to a colt derringer. I am a shooter also- I don't buy em to hang on my belt as a prop. My wife also is a shooter. I have known some officers who cary a pistol on thier belt and have never ever fired(live or blank) it. Don't even know what load to use to fire a ball or even the proper loading procedure. And yet these same guys can quote you bible and verse on how to load a musket, but many have never even live fired one of those either. A firearm is a tool. It's like buying a screwdiriver and using it as an ice pick for your ice cubes for you hiball. My wife would rather I buy another firearm than a dress. At least she can resell the firearm.

 

[johan_steele]

You gota good wife Chris! I asked my wife if she would prefer a dress or a pistol... her reply was: "Is it a blue dress? I'm partial to indigo." As she put it most women would prefer a dress to a pistol. Besides she wants an original "Yellowboy"... the dress is cheaper.

On reflection most women look just fine without a dress with only a pistol in hand...

Nope a pistol makes a good investment, if you know what your buying. I currently have 15 BP pistols. and a gun case full of long guns(both modern and BP) Everything from a 2nd model colt dragoon down to a colt derringer. I am a shooter also- I don't buy em to hang on my belt as a prop. My wife also is a shooter. I have known some officers who cary a pistol on thier belt and have never ever fired(live or blank) it. Don't even know what load to use to fire a ball or even the proper loading procedure. And yet these same guys can quote you bible and verse on how to load a musket, but many have never even live fired one of those either. A firearm is a tool. It's like buying a screwdiriver and using it as an ice pick for your ice cubes for you hiball. My wife would rather I buy another firearm than a dress. At least she can resell the firearm.

 

[Nathanb1]

Nah. Get her a nice Mixmaster. Will guarantee that she'll love it.

Do they even make Mixmasters anymore? I vote for the pistol.