Impressions Post war old west impression

[Capt7thWvCoA]

Hello everyone, so I had the idea to put together a post war old west impression. Say a man coming home from fighting in the war and going west. What would he have likely wore ? I have a set of civilian clothes along with a repro remington new model army and cavalry boots.

 

[CantonGa61]

I've been working almost exclusively in the civilian arena for most of my living history career, generally in the 1855-1875 time frame, and would like to offer the following for you to consider:

Careful study of period photographs will reveal that many of our notions regarding the appearance of men in that era have been heavily tainted by the efforts of the movie industry, so frequent reference to reliably dated photography or non-tabloid artwork will prove helpful.. With that as a starting point, a Civil War era sack suit, or any portion thereof, would work well for your impression as would almost any other item of civilian attire that you can date to the period 1861 to 1865. If your impression is that of a recently de-mobbed soldier you might still have a piece or two of issue clothing but that becomes exponentially less likely the further away you move from April 9th, 1865. You didn't mention which side of the fence your soldier was on but I would suggest you strongly avoid transitioning any Confederate attire to your impression.

Military boots will work just fine but so will brogans or any other sort of period appropriate shoe or boot, and careful study of photography will show that trouser legs are as likely to be worn outside the boot as they are shotgunned inside the boot shaft, even when spurs are worn.

The Remington would be a fine choice for a firearm, but not everyone in the old west went around carrying a gun; that's yet another legacy of the movie industry's impact of our understanding of an historical period. You might be better served with a long arm, or even no weapon at all, until you begin fine tuning your impression.

Allow me to share a couple of images taken of myself portraying exactly the year(s) you've mentioned:

This was taken at Fort Lancaster, in West Texas, several months ago. Clearwater hat, Sekela shirt, and SUM civilian vest. The unseen trousers are SUM corduroys sans waistband. No spurs and my pant legs are outside the shafts of my boots. Time period 1865-66.

This shot was taken at Fort Concho, also in West Texas, about 6 months ago. A different beat-up old Clearwater hat this time and another Sekela shirt, along with a SUM handkerchief used as a bandana and the same SUM corduroys. Boots are generic Missouri Boot and Shoe worn outside the pant legs in the first photo snd shotgunned inside them in this one. Please note that the spur straps shown here work just fine for the year I was portraying at Concho (1876) but would be inappropriate for your target date. As an aside, I often wear a belt with a harness buckle rather than braces when my attire doesn't include a vest, and note that neither impression includes a revolver or any other firearm. The devil's in the details, and your material culture opportunities become almost endless once you leave military service!

Could you please post a photo or two of your outfit once you get it put together? I'd like very much to see your take on the time period!

Best,,
phil

 

[gary]

I thought suspenders kept a man's trousers up. Belt loops didn't come around until the 20th Cent. Please correct me if I'm wrong and I'm no expert on 19th Century attire.

I did model a military jacket for the class at Conner Prairie Museum once. The curator wanted to show how tight the jacket was and I as about the only fellow in tte class that it would fit. That doesn't qualify me for anything on clothing.

 

[CantonGa61]

Hi Gary!

No belt loops on that bottom photo, just a belt. I try to never say never because I'm inevitably proven wrong when I do, but as a rule I think we'd be safe saying loops are a turn of the century sort of thing. I like wearing a belt, generally just below the suspender buttons if I'm not wearing braces, to show that it was done. You can see belts without suspenders in a great many pre-Civil War photos and in period paintings depicting frontier life once you start looking for them, as well as images of men wearing neither belts nor suspenders. Lots of opportunity to take a road less travelled in that regard.

Best,
phil

 

[gary]

Hi Phil,

I noticed there was no belt loops but why a belt and not suspenders. Thanks for 'splain'n it to me!

Gary

 

[CantonGa61]

I need to thank you, Sir, for asking about it. I joined this group for two reasons; first and foremost to substantially add to my limited knowledge of one of the most profound events from American history, and also to share what I know with others when it's relevant for me to do so. With any luck it's a win for everybody!

One more thing—-was that jacket you modeled for the immediate pre-Mexican War era by any chance? Those things, the roundabouts and shell jackets at least, fit pretty snugly. I've never tried one on but I can't believe comfort was high on the list of the soldiers who had to wear them.

Best,
phil

 

[iron bender]

I've been working almost exclusively in the civilian arena for most of my living history career, generally in the 1855-1875 time frame, and would like to offer the following for you to consider:

Careful study of period photographs will reveal that many of our notions regarding the appearance of men in that era have been heavily tainted by the efforts of the movie industry, so frequent reference to reliably dated photography or non-tabloid artwork will prove helpful.. With that as a starting point, a Civil War era sack suit, or any portion thereof, would work well for your impression as would almost any other item of civilian attire that you can date to the period 1861 to 1865. If your impression is that of a recently de-mobbed soldier you might still have a piece or two of issue clothing but that becomes exponentially less likely the further away you move from April 9th, 1865. You didn't mention which of the fence your soldier was on but I would suggest you strongly avoid transitioning any Confederate attire to your impression.

Military boots will work just fine but so will brogans or any other sort of period appropriate shoe or boot, and careful study of photography will show that trouser legs are as likely to be worn outside the boot as they are shotgunned inside the boot shaft, even when spurs are worn.

The Remington would be a fine choice for a firearm, but not everyone in the old west went around carrying a gun; that's yet another legacy of the movie industry's impact of our understanding of an historical period. You might be better served with a long arm, or even no weapon at all, until you begin fine tuning your impression.

Allow me to share a couple of images taken of myself portraying exactly the year(s) you've mentioned:

View attachment 588412
This was taken at Fort Lancaster, in West Texas, several months ago. Clearwater hat, Sekela shirt, and SUM civilian vest. The unseen trousers are SUM corduroys sans waistband. No spurs and my pant legs are outside the shafts of my boots. Time period 1865-66.

View attachment 588413
This shot was taken at Fort Concho, also in West Texas, about 6 months ago. A different beat-up old Clearwater hat this time and another Sekela shirt, along with a SUM handkerchief used as a bandana and the same SUM corduroys. Boots are generic Missouri Boot and Shoe worn outside the pant legs in the first photo snd shotgunned inside them in this one. Please note that the spur straps shown here work just fine for the year I was portraying at Concho (1876) but would be inappropriate for your target date. As an aside, I often wear a belt with a harness buckle rather than braces when my attire doesn't include a vest, and note that neither impression includes a revolver or any other firearm. The devil's in the details, and your material culture opportunities become almost endless once you leave military service!

Could you please post a photo or two of your outfit once you get it put together? I'd like very much to see your take on the time period!

Best,,
phil

Those are some great impressions! Thanks for posting. If you're ever going to be at Ft Richardson, let me know. My ranch is 12 miles down the road on 4.

 

[CantonGa61]

Gary, one more thing. I reread my response to you and saw that I talked all around that belt loop thing and never gave you a direct answer. You're absolutely right that belt loops were not any sort of a normal thing, and probably not a thing at all, prior to 1900 or so. I can get a little wordy sometimes—-my apologies if I muddied the water!

phil

 

[CantonGa61]

Hi, Ironbender!

Thanks for your kindness regarding my impressions, much appreciated. I haven't been to Richardson in quite a while and am long overdue for a trip up that way. Any idea when their next event might be?

phil

 

[The Pennsylvania Line]

Great impressions! Great mustache!

 

[iron bender]

Hi, Ironbender!

Thanks for your kindness regarding my impressions, much appreciated. I haven't been to Richardson in quite a while and am long overdue for a trip up that way. Any idea when their next event might be?

phil

No clue. I used to go to Jacksboro regular. Mostly at ranch or do any of my beer/market runs in Graford last few years. I guess I need to get up that way soon, just to see how it looks. I could use a good Green Frog breakfast!

 

[johan_steele]

Here are a few of my mid 1870's impression. As for the pistol… it's the weapon of the dandy. I much prefer a rifle. Please forgive my more modern spectacles as in each case pictures were taken of me either as I was packing up or had left the event!

 

[gary]

I need to thank you, Sir, for asking about it. I joined this group for two reasons; first and foremost to substantially add to my limited knowledge of one of the most profound events from American history, and also to share what I know with others when it's relevant for me to do so. With any luck it's a win for everybody!

One more thing—-was that jacket you modeled for the immediate pre-Mexican War era by any chance? Those things, the roundabouts and shell jackets at least, fit pretty snugly. I've never tried one on but I can't believe comfort was high on the list of the soldiers who had to wear them.

Best,
phil

Yes, it was about the Mexican American War era and had a single row of butttons and swallow tails. Dark blue. We were told tight fitting clothing for the military was the fashion of the era. It gave the wearer a military bearing.

This was during Conner's Prairie (Fishers, Indiana) Arms Making Workshop and we (the students) always asked for extra (guests or curator) talks or show 'n tells from the collection. The staff was always happy to accomodate us. It's been decades since I've been to one (don't travel as much now).

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

Those are some great impressions! Thanks for posting. If you're ever going to be at Ft Richardson, let me know. My ranch is 12 miles down the road on 4.

Ah, just returned from your neck of the woods.

I hit Newcastle and Jacksboro again, and revisited H.H. McConnell's gravesite after several years.

 

[gary]

OK, some body 'splain a "Green Frog Breakfast" to me.

Johan - you look like a respectable businessman in them thar threads.

 

[CantonGa61]

Yes, it was about the Mexican American War era and had a single row of butttons and swallow tails. Dark blue. We were told tight fitting clothing for the military was the fashion of the era. It gave the wearer a military bearing.

This was during Conner's Prairie (Fishers, Indiana) Arms Making Workshop and we (the students) always asked for extra (guests or curator) talks or show 'n tells from the collection. The staff was always happy to accomodate us. It's been decades since I've been to one (don't travel as much now).

Did they ask you to wear a stock with it? That's part of those uniforms too. Looks great but no fun to wear.

phil

 

[iron bender]

OK, some body 'splain a "Green Frog Breakfast" to me.

Johan - you look like a respectable businessman in them thar threads.

Green Frog Cafe.

 

[Capt7thWvCoA]

I've been working almost exclusively in the civilian arena for most of my living history career, generally in the 1855-1875 time frame, and would like to offer the following for you to consider:

Careful study of period photographs will reveal that many of our notions regarding the appearance of men in that era have been heavily tainted by the efforts of the movie industry, so frequent reference to reliably dated photography or non-tabloid artwork will prove helpful.. With that as a starting point, a Civil War era sack suit, or any portion thereof, would work well for your impression as would almost any other item of civilian attire that you can date to the period 1861 to 1865. If your impression is that of a recently de-mobbed soldier you might still have a piece or two of issue clothing but that becomes exponentially less likely the further away you move from April 9th, 1865. You didn't mention which side of the fence your soldier was on but I would suggest you strongly avoid transitioning any Confederate attire to your impression.

Military boots will work just fine but so will brogans or any other sort of period appropriate shoe or boot, and careful study of photography will show that trouser legs are as likely to be worn outside the boot as they are shotgunned inside the boot shaft, even when spurs are worn.

The Remington would be a fine choice for a firearm, but not everyone in the old west went around carrying a gun; that's yet another legacy of the movie industry's impact of our understanding of an historical period. You might be better served with a long arm, or even no weapon at all, until you begin fine tuning your impression.

Allow me to share a couple of images taken of myself portraying exactly the year(s) you've mentioned:

View attachment 588412
This was taken at Fort Lancaster, in West Texas, several months ago. Clearwater hat, Sekela shirt, and SUM civilian vest. The unseen trousers are SUM corduroys sans waistband. No spurs and my pant legs are outside the shafts of my boots. Time period 1865-66.

View attachment 588413
This shot was taken at Fort Concho, also in West Texas, about 6 months ago. A different beat-up old Clearwater hat this time and another Sekela shirt, along with a SUM handkerchief used as a bandana and the same SUM corduroys. Boots are generic Missouri Boot and Shoe worn outside the pant legs in the first photo snd shotgunned inside them in this one. Please note that the spur straps shown here work just fine for the year I was portraying at Concho (1876) but would be inappropriate for your target date. As an aside, I often wear a belt with a harness buckle rather than braces when my attire doesn't include a vest, and note that neither impression includes a revolver or any other firearm. The devil's in the details, and your material culture opportunities become almost endless once you leave military service!

Could you please post a photo or two of your outfit once you get it put together? I'd like very much to see your take on the time period!

Best,,
phil

Thank you so very much for the information. Once I've gotten all the pieces together I definitely will post pictures of my take on the old west.

 

[CantonGa61]

Great! I'm looking forward to seeing it!

One more image if you don't mind, this one an ambrotype made by Cody Mobley at Concho four or five years ago. I'm sharing it because it's the same hat and shirt depicted in the second photo above. The only differences are a pair of braces, an ancient pair of plaid wool trousers, and a black (!) sack coat. See how the plaid changes in the shirt and how the black sack coat appears a much lighter color than it actually is; that happened because of the ambrotype format which really messes with perceived vs actual color. So many neat aspects to Victorian material culture!

Best,
phil

 

[CantonGa61]

Ah, just returned from your neck of the woods.

I hit Newcastle and Jacksboro again, and revisited H.H. McConnell's gravesite after several years.

Which part of the Hill Country do you reside in, Sir? I'm near Kendalia.

phil