Asking for help with a uniform

[Aaron1977]

Hi all!

First off, just so I don't give anyone the wrong impression, I am not actually a reenactor, I am a costumer by hobby (I hate to call it "cosplay" because I keep it all strictly historical), and I am currently putting together a Union Cavalry Officer's uniform.

What I need help with at this point is the minutiae. I want the uniform to look great not just to a casual observer, but to an aficionado as well.

One thing I am struggling with is the proper mechanism for the straps that attach the saber to the belt. There are a few other details like that I am still searching for, and was wondering if anyone might be able to point me in the right direction as far as websites or books.

Some helpful folks on another forum directed me to the books of Randy Steffen, the Echoes of Glory book series, and also the Library of Congress photo collections... any other suggestions?

Any and all help would be much appreciated!

 

[Kurt G]

I have Steffen's book and the illustrations probably won't help with the detail you need . Echoes of Glory (Union) has a a few nice photos showing what you are looking for on page 78 , 200 and 204. On page 204 the carbine cartridge pouch would not have been carried by an officer .

 

[Aaron1977]

I have Steffen's book and the illustrations probably won't help with the detail you need . Echoes of Glory (Union) has a a few nice photos showing what you are looking for on page 78 , 200 and 204. On page 204 the carbine cartridge pouch would not have been carried by an officer .

This is great info, thank you!

 

[major bill]

This book is a paper back and not real expansive.

It show enlisted, officer, and general officer sword belts and sword belt hooks and straps.

 

[major bill]

One question you need to ask yourself it what reenactment officer sword belts are available? I could send images of odd belts, but probably no one makes them.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Hi all!

First off, just so I don't give anyone the wrong impression, I am not actually a reenactor, I am a costumer by hobby (I hate to call it "cosplay" because I keep it all strictly historical), and I am currently putting together a Union Cavalry Officer's uniform.

What I need help with at this point is the minutiae. I want the uniform to look great not just to a casual observer, but to an aficionado as well.

One thing I am struggling with is the proper mechanism for the straps that attach the saber to the belt. There are a few other details like that I am still searching for, and was wondering if anyone might be able to point me in the right direction as far as websites or books.

Some helpful folks on another forum directed me to the books of Randy Steffen, the Echoes of Glory book series, and also the Library of Congress photo collections... any other suggestions?

Any and all help would be much appreciated!

There's a lot of great books to read, one type I'd recommend are memoirs by Federal cavalry officers that would be a good help.

As far as building an impression, there's a lot of questions to ask yourself on what you want. Officers of all branches weren't issued uniforms and bought the stuff themselves following, more or less, regulations. So you have ask yourself what kind of cavalry officer you want to portray, the career professional, the volunteer, or the glory hunter of all social stripes, on top of that a officer from the East or West. Its an educational experience, and fun to research and build an impression.

As for the sword belt and so on, here's a pretty good video:

 

[Aaron1977]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions and recommendations!

 

[captaindrew]

Here's a few options if you're looking to buy one, https://regtqm.com/product/sword-belt-made-in-gettysburg-pa/ , https://mycartridgeboxes.com/shop/ols/products/officers-sword-belt , https://www.facebook.com/SayeLeatherwork/ Also Missouri Boot and Shoe has one in his offerings but says he's not taking orders for them at this time.

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome to CWT from the Smoky Mountain side of North Carolina. Just jump right in and enjoy.

 

[James N.]

Hi all!

First off, just so I don't give anyone the wrong impression, I am not actually a reenactor, I am a costumer by hobby (I hate to call it "cosplay" because I keep it all strictly historical), and I am currently putting together a Union Cavalry Officer's uniform.

What I need help with at this point is the minutiae. I want the uniform to look great not just to a casual observer, but to an aficionado as well.

One thing I am struggling with is the proper mechanism for the straps that attach the saber to the belt. There are a few other details like that I am still searching for, and was wondering if anyone might be able to point me in the right direction as far as websites or books.

Some helpful folks on another forum directed me to the books of Randy Steffen, the Echoes of Glory book series, and also the Library of Congress photo collections... any other suggestions?

Any and all help would be much appreciated!

Photos showing what you're trying to achieve would be helpful - for example, there are differences between officer's belt rigs and those of enlisted men.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Contact the folks at Blockade Runner Civil War Sutlers. You will receive friendly accurate advice both online or over the phone. You can also get whatever you need from them.

<blockaderunner.com>. 931-389-6294. 1027 Bell Buckle Road, Wartrace TN 37183 Open 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday-Saturday

 

[frontrank2]

Contact the folks at Blockade Runner Civil War Sutlers. You will receive friendly accurate advice online or over the phone. You can also get whatever you need from them.

They're good people.

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the CivilWarTalk from Southeast Missouri.

 

[grognard]

How "functional" will your impression be? Will you just be dressed as a cavalry officer, or will you be riding as well?

The video in post #6 showed how the sword was worn by an officer on foot. As you may already know, when mounted it hangs from the straps rather instead of the hook. This puts the hilt in approximately the right place to be drawn when in the saddle.

Trousers for mounted enlisted men were cut differently than foot trousers, with a longer seat that fit better in the saddle. They also had an extra layer of cloth as reinforcement in the seat and inside leg area. I haven't seen many mounted officer's trousers but expect they could include these details as well - especially if they were intended for active service.

The frock coat as worn in #6 is regulation for mounted officers, but they were also permitted to wear a short jacket "for stable duty". Judging by photos, a lot of them preferred it on active service as well.

What about spurs?

 

[Wanderer in Blue]

Hi all!

First off, just so I don't give anyone the wrong impression, I am not actually a reenactor, I am a costumer by hobby (I hate to call it "cosplay" because I keep it all strictly historical), and I am currently putting together a Union Cavalry Officer's uniform.

What I need help with at this point is the minutiae. I want the uniform to look great not just to a casual observer, but to an aficionado as well.

One thing I am struggling with is the proper mechanism for the straps that attach the saber to the belt. There are a few other details like that I am still searching for, and was wondering if anyone might be able to point me in the right direction as far as websites or books.

Some helpful folks on another forum directed me to the books of Randy Steffen, the Echoes of Glory book series, and also the Library of Congress photo collections... any other suggestions?

Any and all help would be much appreciated!

Hey, same here! I have three uniforms and a bunch of gear, but I've never been to a Civil War re-enactment (it's on the bucket list, though ).

Since my main look is Infantry, I can't think of any direct references I can point you to for your quest, but I would suggest finding as many books as possible with photographs of Cavalry officers and staff. Photo collections by photographers like Matthew Brady and Thomas O'Sullivan can be especially helpful. When researching, please, be WARY of photo sites like Pinterest for research because although it's a treasure trove for photos, so many have highly misleading captions (for instance, when a b&w tintype of a Union soldier in a frock coat is titled "proud Confederate soldier GA heritage" due to the coat's charcoal tint in the colorless picture). Ergo for dating pictures (several Indian War photographs have come up in my Pinterest feed with titles like "Gettysburg" or "TRAGIC he died at Bull Run").

After substantial photo research, comes the uniform hunt. I know that C&C sutlery has a lot of budget-friendly uniforms, that's where I get my stuff, but hunt around because shopping for Cavalry supplies may be different than procuring infantry uniforms/gear.

Also, feel free to look at the videos of the 11th OVC re-enacting group, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCezbVOElhYe2hifloUHxypA , they have a lot of good no-nonsense resources for Cavalry historical representation.

 

[James N.]

Hey, same here! I have three uniforms and a bunch of gear, but I've never been to a Civil War re-enactment (it's on the bucket list, though ).

Since my main look is Infantry, I can't think of any direct references I can point you to for your quest, but I would suggest finding as many books as possible with photographs of Cavalry officers and staff. Photo collections by photographers like Matthew Brady and Thomas O'Sullivan can be especially helpful. When researching, please, be WARY of photo sites like Pinterest for research because although it's a treasure trove for photos, so many have highly misleading captions (for instance, when a b&w tintype of a Union soldier in a frock coat is titled "proud Confederate soldier GA heritage" due to the coat's charcoal tint in the colorless picture). Ergo for dating pictures (several Indian War photographs have come up in my Pinterest feed with titles like "Gettysburg" or "TRAGIC he died at Bull Run").

Welcome to the forums from the host of the Stonewall Jackson Forum and an old-time reenactor! In case you haven't yet discovered it, the fact is that some early-war Georgians went to war wearing their almost U.S. Regulation uniforms featuring the same dark blue frock coats - The Clinch Rifles depicted below were probably the best-known example:

Another probable early-war Confederate in my collection is this fellow, supposedly one James R. Neal from Savannah in an obviously dark homemade uniform consisting of a civilian frock coat with the lapels turned up and garnished liberally with brass buttons!

 

[Wanderer in Blue]

Welcome to the forums from the host of the Stonewall Jackson Forum! In case you haven't yet discovered it, the fact is that some early-war Georgians went to war wearing their almost U.S. Regulation uniforms featuring the same dark blue frock coats - The Clinch Rifles are probably the best-known example:
View attachment 389751

Another probable early-war Confederate in my collection is this fellow, supposedly one James R. Neal from Savannah in an obviously dark homemade uniform consisting of a civilian frock coat with the lapels turned up and garnished liberally with brass buttons!

View attachment 389753

Awesome references, thank you for sharing!