Plainsmen clothes

[Pothook]

New member here; was wondering what kind of guidance TAPS has on the get-up. By what I can see in the SASS world, "jeans with the belt loops cut off and suspender buttons sewn on will get you by just fine". How does that sit with the Plainsmen? What about shirts or jackets, any particulars there?

Gear: since we're talking pre-cartridge except for Henrys, I assume cartridge loops on pistol belt would be out (unless you had a Henry, but I wonder when the loops came into being anyway)?

Thanks for any help!

-Pothook

[Tascosa Joe]

Bullet loops:  Using Packing Iron as the main reference after 1872 or so.  The cavalry started to use unit made Fair Weather Christian belts in the late 1860's to 1870's to carry ammo for the cartridge Sharps carbine.

We are not a SASS type group, we lean more toward the American Mountain Men in our attitude toward gear and clothing, but we are probably not as strict. 

We also allow Spencer Rifles and Carbines of period caliber i.e. 56-50 since they are available.

T-Joe

[ChuckBurrows]

Actually bullet loops first appeared in 1861 or 1862 - there is a patent for them IIRC they were first used for the 22 calibers of the day - this was discussed in the NCOWS forum here some time back and the post was by Bill Proctor aka Ottawa Creek Bill.

As for clothes - based on the time period of 1840-1865 so styles will vary considerably dependent on what date you choose to represent as well as who (scout, townie, trapper, guide, farmer, etc) and where you are (Rocky Mtns, Texas, the Northern plains, etc.

IMO - based on how authentic you want to be then before buying a lot of gear - decide the who (see above), when (instead of trying to cover the whole era pick a 1-5 year period), and where (again see above)...
if this is where you're headed than once you've decided those things it will be easier to provide advice on clothing...

[Pothook]

Good advice; guess I have to do the hard part (persona) first. I had a good time exploring Ft. Laramie up in WY and reading about the guide / muleskinners of the time. Maybe i'll research in that direction...

-Pothook

(Pithy quote to follow...)

[Tascosa Joe]

FTW, I love Ft Laramie.  The whole expanse of the grounds and the river.  I have been searching for a light fixture similar to the one in the Officer's club to put in my office.  It is a cool place.

[Tsalagidave]

Pothook,

I think you'll like what you are looking for in this hobby. I've been to SASS events and although I commend them for promoting nostalgic Americana in addition to the responsible American gun culture, I would not say that historical authenticity is going priority for most there. Rather, I have observed that the focus is more on themed shooting with a strong reverence for either the American West or Hollywood's version of it.

I would encourage you to really take in and embrace all that this end of the hobby has to offer. Although the proverbial "converted" Levis may fly at SASS shoots, this end of reenacting really does require a higher attention to detail. Our goal is to really come within reason as close as possible to replicating the era. There are many sutlers who make quality clothes that we can connect you with. If you want to save money, I would strongly recommend getting period patterns and materials, then enlist the help for a friend/relative who knows a thing or two about sewing. In addition to that, you can trade or acquire good clothing second-hand at great prices.

Although I am one of those who is sometimes called the proverbial "hardcore" or "stitch facist", I don't see the sense in being a jerk to someone if their views on authenticity are not the same as mine. To the hardcores that are not as nice, ignore them. The rest of us have a life and don't gloat over others about a hobby where we all play dress-up. I think you'll have a good time here. Let us know how far you want to go with it and and what items you need so we can send you good leads on where to get your gear.

See you out there.

-Dave

[Pothook]

Thanks for the advice Dave, et all! Having champagne tastes on a beer budget can be rough, but I have been working in the direction you suggested. I got a few pairs of pants and collarless shirts at the Goodwill store for all of twenty bucks. My wife is a rather accomplished seamstress; so she is going to make me a frock coat if I decide to stick with it. Fortunately, boots, hat and vest were already covered.

I have seen a book dedicated specifically to Plainsmen at a local shop I intend to get and perhaps share any research the crowd would find useful. Getting that answer about cartridge loops was very helpful! As long as our shoots are few and far between, any info we can share will help us get ready in between...

Regarding info, maybe my Googling skills aren't what they should be but I was wondering about the 1840-1865 holsters. I gather they were mostly mexican strap, flapless, maybe with a hammer loop? I love the nice snap close Hunter holsters in the Cabela's catalog, but too modern?

At winter range in AZ this month I hope to find or get made a double set for the 1851 Navys I plan to get; but not sure what a proper configuration would be- any ideas on that?

Thanks everyone! And if anyone plans on going to Winter range this year, let me know.

[Tascosa Joe]

The current "bible" on leather is "Packing Iron".  The common holster of the era 1845-1865 earlier would be the slim jim style or possibly a modified military flap holster.  Chuck Barrows who posts on here from time to time is the "real" leather expert.

We are trying to put together an encampment/shoot the last week end in March in Eastern KS.  Come if you can.

[Tsalagidave]

Pothook, I agree with Tascosa Joe on the leather. The Mexican loop really did not appear in the mainstream until after the Civil War. Actually, I'm not aware of it existing at all previous to 1870 but if any friends out there have more information on this, please help a brotha' out. I would recommend a "California" (aka. Slim-Jim) pattern for the leather. Also, I would get one pistol at a time and use the cash for the second pistol to get some good clothes that will last. I completely understand where you are coming from on the cost issue. I would recommend hitting the members up for surplus clothing at a better-than-thriftshop price or I can lead you to some great patterns for your wife to sew.

Don't pressure yourself to get a full kit right off. Part of the enjoyment in this hobby is taking the time to get the right stuff. Find a  good outfit to fall in with and they can help you out with loaner gear to start with. It's how I started. Let us know if there is other stuff that you need help with. Someone here will have an answer for you.

-Dave

[Ranch 13]

FTW, I love Ft Laramie.  The whole expanse of the grounds and the river.  I have been searching for a light fixture similar to the one in the Officer's club to put in my office.  It is a cool place.

Call up here to the Fort and ask them where they got that light fixture, very few if any of the fixtures there at the fort are original to it, as the place was pretty much desimated by homesteaders etc, with the exception of the old commanding officers quarters which is where John Hunton lived when he owned the site.

[ChuckBurrows]

Pothook, I agree with Tascosa Joe on the leather. The Mexican loop really did not appear in the mainstream until after the Civil War. Actually, I'm not aware of it existing at all previous to 1870 but if any friends out there have more information on this, please help a brotha' out. I would recommend a "California" (aka. Slim-Jim) pattern for the leather. Also, I would get one pistol at a time and use the cash for the second pistol to get some good clothes that will last. I completely understand where you are coming from on the cost issue. I would recommend hitting the members up for surplus clothing at a better-than-thriftshop price or I can lead you to some great patterns for your wife to sew.

Don't pressure yourself to get a full kit right off. Part of the enjoyment in this hobby is taking the time to get the right stuff. Find a  good outfit to fall in with and they can help you out with loaner gear to start with. It's how I started. Let us know if there is other stuff that you need help with. Someone here will have an answer for you.

-Dave

Totally agree as for the Mexican Loop Holster MAYBE just prior to 1870, but in general it only became popular after cartridge handguns became more widely available since it allowed a larger, firmer belt loop to fit over the cartridge loops - cartridge loops though can be as I noted above dated to the early 1860's. Even after 1870 the Slim Jim retained popularity with some folks well into the 1880's - the James boys for instance used them.
A pretty basic gunrig for the Plainsman era would be a simple no loops 2" wide belt with a square, rectangular, or roller buckle in nickel plate or solid brass and a plain or edge tooled Slim Jim. For a bit fancier belt buckle military style belt plates were often used.