Some uniform questions.

[pony express]

Well, things are coming together. I already have the Krag and trapdoor rifles. Looking at a Colt Army DA.But I only have the same, tired old CAS outfit I've worn for years. On the "Splendid Little War" site, they have a recommendation for a Span-Am beginner of campaign hat, and shirt from River Junction, and suggest that you can substitute the tan cotton duck pants (Also River Junction)for uniform pants. Would those pants be closer to the 1889/1888 pants, or the earlier tan fatigue uniform? I want to be versitile, to be able to cover from late indian wars with my trapdoor, up to Span-Am/Philippines, with either rifle. So I'm thinking either the 1884 tan fatigues, or the 1887 blue wool.

Also, how does the River Junction hat stand up to the occasional rainstorm, being wool felt? They've got some other suppliers listed that have them in fur, but they cost more than some of my guns! Anyway, the hat from R.J. is 4-6 weeks wait, so it may be too late to get before the muster, unless they happen to have some in 7 1/8 on the shelf.

[River City John]

They stand up just as well as the originals.

I have worn, off and on for six years, their black campaign hat with Infantry hat cord (which has turned from sky blue to a purplish-gray).

Still keeps the basic shape.

RCJ

[Grapeshot]

Well, things are coming together. I already have the Krag and trapdoor rifles. Looking at a Colt Army DA.But I only have the same, tired old CAS outfit I've worn for years. On the "Splendid Little War" site, they have a recommendation for a Span-Am beginner of campaign hat, and shirt from River Junction, and suggest that you can substitute the tan cotton duck pants (Also River Junction)for uniform pants. Would those pants be closer to the 1889/1888 pants, or the earlier tan fatigue uniform? I want to be versitile, to be able to cover from late indian wars with my trapdoor, up to Span-Am/Philippines, with either rifle. So I'm thinking either the 1884 tan fatigues, or the 1887 blue wool.

Also, how does the River Junction hat stand up to the occasional rainstorm, being wool felt? They've got some other suppliers listed that have them in fur, but they cost more than some of my guns! Anyway, the hat from R.J. is 4-6 weeks wait, so it may be too late to get before the muster, unless they happen to have some in 7 1/8 on the shelf.

You can water proof the hat by spraying it with Scotch Guard.   I have a M1898 Campaign Hat I got from F. Burgess 26 years ago and it's still going strong after all these years in all kinds of weather.

The RJ cotton duck would probably be closer to 1889 trousers, but that would be dependant on how dark a tan they are.  Very light tan would be closer to the 1898 trousers.  To go cheaper, Dickies work pants in Khaki with the belt loops removed and suspender buttons sewn on is the way to go.  Don't wory about the zipper or modern waist closer above the fly.  After you put on your cartridge belt, know one will know the difference.  Now, if you are planning to enter a costume contest, then you may want it to be more authentic.

The 1888 Blue uniform was in use until the turn of the century.  Then the Khaki Uniform and Drab Uniforms became the standard by 1903.

A Colt SAA Model P with 5.5 inch barrel would work for Span-Am and Phillipine Insurrection.  Especially for a Militia impression.  A Colt DA .38 are beginning to get hard to find. 

[Drydock]

Its a little more, but the M1884 Canvas uniform from  wwwquartermastershop.com  is truely excellent.  I've been using one as my standard CAS outfit for nearly 7 years now. 

[pony express]

Its a little more, but the M1884 Canvas uniform from  wwwquartermastershop.com  is truely excellent.  I've been using one as my standard CAS outfit for nearly 7 years now. 

I've seen you wearing it, and it IS a good looking uniform. Maybe later as the budget allows

[pony express]

You can water proof the hat by spraying it with Scotch Guard.   I have a M1898 Campaign Hat I got from F. Burgess 26 years ago and it's still going strong after all these years in all kinds of weather.

The RJ cotton duck would probably be closer to 1889 trousers, but that would be dependant on how dark a tan they are.  Very light tan would be closer to the 1898 trousers.  To go cheaper, Dickies work pants in Khaki with the belt loops removed and suspender buttons sewn on is the way to go.  Don't wory about the zipper or modern waist closer above the fly.  After you put on your cartridge belt, know one will know the difference.  Now, if you are planning to enter a costume contest, then you may want it to be more authentic.

The 1888 Blue uniform was in use until the turn of the century.  Then the Khaki Uniform and Drab Uniforms became the standard by 1903.

A Colt SAA Model P with 5.5 inch barrel would work for Span-Am and Phillipine Insurrection.  Especially for a Militia impression.  A Colt DA .38 are beginning to get hard to find. 

Thanks for the hint on the Dickies pants, I think I'll go with that for now. Too bad the Dickie's blue shirt would be kind of hard to make into a pullover, it's about the right color. I could probably even use my old "class B" khaki pants the army gave me, but it seems like 29 years of storage have shrunk them about 6 inches in the waist!!!

As for the handgun, the SAA would indeed be more versitile, but I have my eye on a DA .38 in a local shop, with a second option of an S&W 1905, that could be my "imitation 1899". Given the choice between an origional DA Army, and a colt saa clone I can get anytime, well......
And if I really had the money, they have a 1909 colt beside the other one that only seems to have wear from laying in a drawer-but way too much, unless I can empty out some of the WW2 surplus from my safe in trade. I know 1909 is out of our time period, but I could call it my private purchased Colt New Service.

[Pitspitr]

Thanks for the hint on the Dickies pants, I think I'll go with that for now. Too bad the Dickie's blue shirt would be kind of hard to make into a pullover, it's about the right color.

Check with Delmonico at the Fort Western Wear in Lincoln. They have a blue pullover. It isn't PC, but it is somewhere to start.

[Drydock]

The New Service is allowed, as it has provenance as a non milspec handgun of demonstrated military use within our timeline.

[captmack]

You cannot go wrong with uniforms from Quartermaster Shop.  Pricey yes, but high quality.

If you want an economical version of the '84 brown cotton ducking pants get the COWS model then get your leg stripes from QM Shop and have them sewn on locally.

Texas Jacks has the COWS pants on sale for $40:
http://www.texasjacks.com/SuperSales/Pants/200134CanPant.htm

When you order the leg stripes request cotton:
http://www.quartermastershop.com/1872%20and%20on%20US%20Officer/iwp_leg_stripes.html

Leggings from Coon Creek Old West:
http://www.cooncreekoldwest.com/frampage.htm

[Guns Garrett]

I got my blue pullover from Coon Creek - they even put white pearl buttons on it for my Marine impression.  The also have a cotton version, for about half the price of the wool, and River Junction has the cotton one, too.

[pony express]

Already ordered blue wool shirt, and campaign hat from River Junction, just waiting to see if the hat will arrive in time(they advised about 1 month wait). Looks like I might have to go to muster as a militia, if I've only got half a uniform by then.

[Texas Lawdog]

Pony Express, Just remember to wear some trousers to the Muster, If you have half a uniform, make sure you have the bottom half.

[Drydock]

Going to be at COWS this weekend Pony?

[pony express]

Never fear,Lawdog, I'll have SOME kind of trousers, maybe not uniform, but still trousers!

Yes, Drydock, I plan on being there this weekend. Are you going to be at COWS, or up in Iowa?

[Drydock]

I'll be at COWS.  Would have liked to go up north, but have to work saturday.

[Texas Lawdog]

 Glad to hear that you will be wearing trousers of some sort, Pony Express!