(Under construction) UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
Many items can be used for both Federal and Confederate impressions, which will be indicated. Expect to pay about $900 - $1000 over a period of time to fully outfit yourself. It doesn't have to be done all at once. We have loaner uniforms, muskets, leathers and blank ammunition for use by new recruits. Nearly all of your purchases are tax deductible. 7th Arkansas/5th Kansas Redlegs Dismounted Cavalry is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Our certificate is on file.
The following discussion will present a bare bones entry into reenacting. It will get you started building your own kit. Remember that you can borrow anything that you don't have yet. Starting with zero? No problem. Everything is furnished free to new recruits.
Musket - We recommend the .58 caliber 3 band blued 1855 Enfield musket. It is reasonably priced at about $450 (cheaper than a Springfield). It makes no difference whether you select the Euroarms or Armisport brand. Both are excellent, although the Euroarms quality is slightly better and the musket is a bit heavier than an Armisport. Of course a Springfield is OK, but they have a tendency to plug up in battle due to the configuration of the channel between the nipple well and the breech. Remember that we fire black powder only. If your musket had chamber pressures present when shooting a minie ball, plugging would not be a problem.
In addition, the Springfield's shiny bright finish is difficult to keep rust free. That's not a problem with a blued Enfield.
Avoid purchasing a two band musket as your first firearm. Two banders can only be used when reenacting Confederate and limits your participation to the front rank only. A three bander allows you to take the field as a Confederate or as a Yankee, as well as enabling you to shoot from both ranks. If you are tall you can assume that you will often be shooting from the rear rank over the shoulder of your front rank filemate. Buy a three band .58 cal percussion anything and you're good to go, if it's in safe working order (we'll determine that).
Leathers - Belt, cartridge box and cap pouch
Purchase a period black belt, black cartridge box with shoulder strap (with or without tins) and a black cap pouch. These items are also available in brown, but brown is not correct for a Federal impression. Brown is only good when you're a Confederate. Black leathers are good for either side. A US belt buckle is correct for either side.....turn the US buckle upside down when Confederate (as a sign of disrespect). You'll eventually buy a CS or CSA buckle.
Canteen -
You must have a full Civil War canteen on your person before drill or battle. Yankees had dark blue cloth covered canteens (although you will occasionally see light blue or gray at reenactments). Confederate canteens can be wood, plain metal (no cover), light or dark blue or gray cloth covered--just about anything. If you start with a Federal dark blue canteen, you'll be OK for both sides until you decide to also have Confederate canteen.
Hat -
Buy a black slouch hat. That way you're covered (literally) as a Federal or Confederate soldier. Although the Federal kepi or forage cap was worn in the Western theatre out here, the slouch hat provided better protection from the elements. Again, a period brown hat is correct as a Confederate, but not as a Yankee. The black slouch is good for both sides. Clearwater Hat Company is the all around best source for this item. They are not inexpensive ($80-$100), but they're worth it Clearwater has made many hats for Hollywood (example - Jude Law's hat in "Cold Mountain"). You can always tell the quality of a Clearwater historical hat at a distance.
Uniform -
The 7th Arkansas Infantry prefers that you purchase a grayish Columbus Depot wool jacket either trimmed in dark blue or untrimmed, with matching pants. That's all you will have to add. You already have the rest (above).
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