Impressions Belt decision

[TexasJohnnie]

I need to replace my current belt, and have decided on getting either a Gerogia frame buckle or a roller buckle from JD Jarnigan. My impression is of mid war soldier of the AoT. There are many in my unit with Georgia frame already, and I feel that proportionally I should have a roller.

What do you think?

 

[Legion Para]

A frame belt plate would be a good way to go.

Or a fork tongue buckle.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Personally I like the Ga Frame.. but either one would work equally well for your impression... Another reason I prefer these is that it can be used for just about any given CS portrayal... AoT or ANV... and had a rather long duration time frame of use... just cant go wrong with it...

 

[TexasJohnnie]

Thanks for the reply, I'll probably go with the Georgia frame. Your point about versatility definitely helped convince me of the better choice.

 

[gunny]

I personally believe the standard roller buckle is by far the least represented of all buckles but was likely the most common of all. It just doesn't have the "cool" factor with reenacters.

 

[TexasJohnnie]

That's what I was worried about- overrepresenting the frame buckle within my unit

 

[Tin cup]

I personally believe the standard roller buckle is by far the least represented of all buckles but was likely the most common of all. It just doesn't have the "cool" factor with reenacters.

I understand that the roller buckle was quite common among Tans-Mississippi troops.

Kevin Dally

 

[gunny]

I like this sampling of buckles. I got my first roller buckle just about three years ago and probably won't wear a plate or other unless called for.

 

[TexasJohnnie]

There is certainly photographic evidence to support it's widespread use. Back on the fence about the issue. The roller is more practical than handsome, but would probably be the best choice seeing as there's not a single one in my company.

 

[gunny]

There is certainly photographic evidence to support it's widespread use. Back on the fence about the issue. The roller is more practical than handsome, but would probably be the best choice seeing as there's not a single one in my company.

I agree. If you want to "stand out" - oddly enough - the roller buckle would make you stand out far more than something as rare as a snake buckle. Meaning - far more reenactors wear snake buckles than rollers, but the rollers probably out numbered the snakes 1,000 to 1!

 

[Legion Para]

Reference books are a must have for the serious collector and reenactor/living historian. I think you will find the following book useful in putting together your Confederate impressions.

 

[Legion Para]

If you should ever decide to do a Union impression.

 

[TexasJohnnie]

Reference books are a must have for the serious collector and reenactor/living historian. I think you will find the following book useful in putting together your Confederate impressions.

View attachment 82581

I own the three-book "Echoes of Glory" set, which includes:
"Arms and Equipment of the Confederacy"
"Arms and Equipment of the Union"
"Illustrated Atlas of the Civil War"

All three are very interesting and have provided me with many great uniform references and examples, as well as help me understand numerous engagements. They have proved themselves useful many times over.

 

[TexasJohnnie]

I agree. If you want to "stand out" - oddly enough - the roller buckle would make you stand out far more than something as rare as a snake buckle. Meaning - far more reenactors wear snake buckles than rollers, but the rollers probably out numbered the snakes 1,000 to 1!

I had considered getting the snake buckle (as I am quite fond of them), but forced myself to see through my fondness, as a roller or frame buckle would simply be more accurate.

 

[Diplogeek]

I own a roller buckle, myself, because it's about as versatile as the Georgia frame and sees a bit less use in the reenacting community, for some reason. I'd like to get a Georgia frame as well, eventually, but if you want a roller buckle to give a bit more variety/representation within your unit, I'd say go for it. Nick Duvall makes a really sturdy roller buckle belt- the thing feels like it would stop a bullet, but it did take a bit of wearing to break in.

 

[gunny]

In finishing up my regimental history on the Sixteenth Tennessee, I was adding my appendix on clothing arms and equipment. Although the roller buckle - as I mentioned before - is way underrepresented, it appears to have reached its pinnacle use from the war's beginning until late 1863 - at least with the Army of Tennessee. The Depots in the west didn't start pumping out mass quantities of belt plates (rectangular CSA or clipped corner CS) until mid-1863ish. But this thread (http://civilwartalk.com/threads/a-y...-to-an-1864-c-s-regiment.118814/#post-1220734) that I posted a couple of weeks ago revealed that throughout 1864 this regiment ( and it would be safe to assume the whole army) was decked out in belt plates of the style mentioned above. The mention of the plates makes it clear that they are indeed plates and not buckles. Doesn't mean one or two might be mixed in, but literally, 98 to 100% of the regiment had belt plates at least while on the Atlanta campaign and beyond.

 

[zburkett]

Is it bad of me that I wear Texas and Virginia plates (from Texas, live in Virginia) because I like to honor my states?