Impressions Civil war reenactor uniforms

[Deleted member 20301]

Does anybody now of places i can get a good civil war reenactment uniform in Missouri, Illinois, or Kentucky.

 

[captaindrew]

Does anybody now of places i can get a good civil war reenactment uniform in Missouri, Illinois, or Kentucky.

Look online at Regimental Quartermaster, Blockade Runner, Fall Creek. I'd say Regimental Quartermaster would be a good start, they have a good variety from your basic budget starter kit to the high end authentic campaigner stuff such as from WW&company and everything in between. That said Blockade Runner made the uniform I'm wearing in my avatar pic and I'm pretty happy with it and it didn't break the bank. The other option is attend some reenactments in your area and see if there are any sutlers there or sometimes you can get lucky and find someone selling some used stuff.

 

[frontrank2]

The above mentioned sutlers are good,I've used them all. But I'm going to add C&D Jarnagin out of Miss. They've been around for ages and their merchandise is top quality, but a little pricier.

 

[captaindrew]

The above mentioned sutlers are good,I've used them all. But I'm going to add C&D Jarnagin out of Miss. They've been around for ages and their merchandise is top quality, but a little pricier.

For whatever reason I always forget about Jarnagin. I've never bought much from them, for no reason really, but I have a very nice Federal frock coat made by them I picked up used. It's a very nicely made piece. Always have to be prepared to go blue down here.

 

[D.H. Hill]

It depends how authentic you wish to be... I try to encourage people to be as authentic as possible, especially when they are just getting started. I don't really have any experience with the above mentioned sources so I won't remark on them.

The first step is knowing which uniform you need for your impression. There was no single "confederate uniform", and contrary to mainstream reenactor lore anything does NOT go with a southern soldier, they DIDN'T have it so they DIDN'T use it, and they didn't "just use anything they could find" (well, usually, but what they could find is different than what WE can find). Don't base your look off reenactors, base it off Civil War soldiers. Also don't start with a uniform and force your impression to fit it. Start with an impression and let that dictate the clothing and equipment. You can make impressions for other theatres if you want, but just don't wear them out of context (the golden word of reenacting).

The second step is learning how to tell a good repro from a poor or mediocre one. Just because it's a "hand sewn Richmond Depot type II jacket" doesn't mean it's authentic... it could have straight sleeves, 1/2 inch glaring white stitches, low armpits, etc.

Contrary to popular belief it isn't that much more expensive to go authentic, especially if you're willing to do some work. If you are able to sew you can have an authentic jacket for around $100 or so... (I once made one for about $70)
Wambaugh and White, and Ben Tart sell kits for about this price, depending on cut/ material.
Alternatively you can get patterns, notions, and fabric for about the same.

Example:
Galla Rock
Richmond depot jacket pattern- $13
shipping- $5
B&B Tart
2 yds undyed jean- $42
2 yds osnaburg (vis. correct lining material)- $12
9 block I buttons- $9
shipping- $14
Total $95 (add a couple dollars for correct thread). You can spend more for different colors (undyed, while PC is getting somewhat over represented), buttons, etc. If you go the pattern route subsequent jackets are less because you don't have to get another pattern (in this example ~$77). If you're really skinny and can cut fabric economically you can do with 1 1/2 yds (or save the leftovers to decrease cost of your next jacket).

Just buying fabric, notions, and patterns I have had excellent results from Charlie Childs, Galla Rock, Wambaugh/White, Ben Tart, and Button Baron. Blockade Runner has some good stuff (haven't really looked at their duds) but quality varies widely with the item.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

My advice: get the correct coat, pants, hat, shirt, blanket, shoes, etc., etc. for the unit that you belong to! Research the type of coat/pants/shirt/shoes, color and type of material that your unit would have had during a particular time of the war (ie Early War, Mid-War, Late War). Getting the correct things shows that you care about "living" the history and doing the history justice. The "public" will ask questions about your uniform, so be knowledgeable. Also, having the correct gear will prevent you from looking like a "fish out of water".
The Sutlers mentioned by previous posters also get my endorsement!

 

[LtRusell]

For whatever reason I always forget about Jarnagin. I've never bought much from them, for no reason really, but I have a very nice Federal frock coat made by them I picked up used. It's a very nicely made piece. Always have to be prepared to go blue down here.

I never think of Jarnagin myself. On my way to see my mom I always pass the Interpretive Center in Corinth. Last time I went through there I stopped at the center while my wife slept in the car. About three months later I call Jarnagin to find some cotton drill fatigue trousers and it turns out I passed right by the place last time I was there. I had a good conversation and I was invited to stop by on my next drive through. They even told me I could put in my order on the way and pick it up on the way back.

Now that is service, and darned friendly too.

 

[captaindrew]

Hey @LtRusell , are you planning on being at any of the Fl. events coming up this season? Maybe we'll run into each other.

 

[LtRusell]

Probably not this season, but next. I'm still doing a lot of research. I got into the Florida Memory site and I have begun putting some ideas together from that as well as reading as much correspondence as I can by Gov. Milton on the subject of those kept in service of the state. I'm also trying to balance paying bills and not having my wife kill me. I can see her shooting me with my own Navy Colt.

I also have been badgering the Florida Historical Society for information too. They haven't gotten back to me as of yet. I don't want to go into anything half way.

There is also a matter of interest. I don't just want to be lone navy/cg guy wandering around a reenactment with no unit. I doubt very much that many units would allow a walk on here too. I'm not sure about that.

I also don't want to be the guy trying to recruit. I'm good at sales, but people have to be with it and for it too. I'm interested in a venue, either online or not, where I can see if this will float.

All that being said I'm looking forward to next season and making some acquaintances in real time. It's not been often that I got a chance to talk with those who are passionate about history and reenacting as I am.

But I will make it a point to find the 8th and say hello.

OH, I'm stone's throw from the Indian River, and I will include a few engravings of the ACW on the river. Cavalry. I had always been told there was nothing of any import going on in my county during the war. Turns out that isn't true. Go figure.

 

[Tin cup]

Does anybody now of places i can get a good civil war reenactment uniform in Missouri, Illinois, or Kentucky.

WHAT uniform are you looking for? CS, US, Cav, Inf. Artillery...?

Kevin Dally

 

[captaindrew]

Probably not this season, but next. I'm still doing a lot of research. I got into the Florida Memory site and I have begun putting some ideas together from that as well as reading as much correspondence as I can by Gov. Milton on the subject of those kept in service of the state. I'm also trying to balance paying bills and not having my wife kill me. I can see her shooting me with my own Navy Colt.

I also have been badgering the Florida Historical Society for information too. They haven't gotten back to me as of yet. I don't want to go into anything half way.

There is also a matter of interest. I don't just want to be lone navy/cg guy wandering around a reenactment with no unit. I doubt very much that many units would allow a walk on here too. I'm not sure about that.

I also don't want to be the guy trying to recruit. I'm good at sales, but people have to be with it and for it too. I'm interested in a venue, either online or not, where I can see if this will float.

All that being said I'm looking forward to next season and making some acquaintances in real time. It's not been often that I got a chance to talk with those who are passionate about history and reenacting as I am.

But I will make it a point to find the 8th and say hello.

OH, I'm stone's throw from the Indian River, and I will include a few engravings of the ACW on the river. Cavalry. I had always been told there was nothing of any import going on in my county during the war. Turns out that isn't true. Go figure.

I understand, make sure you hide that colt ammo! ha ha. Nobody turns down walk ons, if you'd like to come to an event I'm sure we can get enough stuff together for you to try it out and find you a home. Check out the schedule on Floridareenactorsonline.com. We have a guy that does a Confederate naval impression that falls in with us sometimes, I'll look for his email address, he might be someone good for you to talk to.

 

[LtRusell]

Thanks much for your help. I would be interested in talking with a person doing a naval impression. As for showing up and loaner items, I appreciate it, but I'd just end up looking silly. I have been hitting the gym. I don't wanna be "that guy". I'm tall as well. I would have a very Mary Shelly look.

For the record I enjoy silly, but not at anyone's expense.

 

[captaindrew]

Don't let that bother you, we are mostly too old and overfed to really be authentic but we do our best. At least come out and introduce yourself and hang with us, we have a really nice bunch of folks from all over Fl. The first Fl. event I'm planning on is Pellicer Creek a little north of Daytona in October. There is an event in Trevares, north of Orlando the end of Sept that some of the guys are going to but I think I'll be up north then and I went there last year and it was horribly hot there that same weekend.