pics of indian war era clothes

[Black River Johnny]

could you guys post  some pics of the type of clothing you wear for this era- thanks

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

Here's a picture of Sgt. John Comfort, 4th Cavalry, in the Indian Wars era.  Sgt. Comfort won the Medal of Honor.  Twice - if I have the story correct.  This picture shows him in his campaign clothes and was taken in 1870.



He looks a bit like he's wearing a sailor's blouse, eh?  Or - at least our my perception of a sailor's blouse, anyway. (Due to the way his collar is laying and the neckerchief.)

[US Scout]

could you guys post  some pics of the type of clothing you wear for this era- thanks

Check the GAF website for pictures of what some of our members wear.

www.grandarmyofthefrontier.org

If you can be more specific about what you're interested in, we can provide more focused answers for you.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen
GAF

[Black River Johnny]

Well, i have the blue indian wars military shirt that River Junction sells. a pair of brown trousers. I was wondering if this was correct clothing. Then I was wondering where to get boots and what kind.

[River City John]

In general that combination would be more towards after the mid-1880's into the Spanish American War era.

I have that same blouse, and River Junction makes them with a double button cuff which I was never able to find documentation for. I had my wife remove the outer button and narrow the cuff width just enough to eliminate the outer buttonhole. That way it more closely resembles the 1883 second style dark blue overshirt.

A plain black (early in period) or tan/brown (later) brimmed campaign hat would go well. River Junction carries both. Later era kepi would have a lower crown than the typical Civil War kepi.

1884 saw introduction of brown canvas fatigue trousers that eventually replaced the sky blue ones. Could also see substitution in the field while on campaign of civilian items (photo Bvt. Lt. Col. Bailey post above would most likely be a private issue shirt), and perhaps plain canvas fatigue trousers on campaign that was a carryover from clothing intended for stable duty.

Boots would be of the type referred to as the Artillery boot, a mid-calf version of the typical cavalry boot. Shoes would be a variant on the 'brogan' available from the Civil War.
Try www.fugawee.com and look at their Artillery boot('ankle boot') and brogans. I have a pair of each and good quality for the money.

[Deadeye Don]

Well, i have the blue indian wars military shirt that River Junction sells. a pair of brown trousers. I was wondering if this was correct clothing. Then I was wondering where to get boots and what kind.

Be careful with that River Junction shirt.  I ended up ripping the back out at the seam taking the darn thing off.  The consistency of the fabric is almost like felt.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

What kind of shirt did you buy, Don?

I have 2 from them: the first is the most inexpensive version, a commercial one, and a seamstress version.  Both are (so far) very hardy. 

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pard,

I presume you are referring to military garb worn during the Indian Wars campaigns.  You need to decide if you are portraying an enlisted troop or officer, and then whether to portray field "dress" or garrison.  Military field clothing is much easier to do, as things were pretty "loosey-goosey" for both officers and enlisted. Until it just plain wore out, many officers and enlisted who had served in the Civil War wore sack coats and trowsers (sic) left over, saving the regulation stuff for wear on their post.  The vagaries of weather and other conditions, as well as what the individual could afford/scrounge up, dictated what you'd see.  Wide-brimmed straw hats, purchased from the sutler's store, or felt hats usually replaced the official kepi in the field.

Lt. John Bourke, Gen'l Crooks aide wrote, "We looked more like a band of brigands than a military organization!" referring to the Big Horn & Yellowstone Expedition of 1876.

Doug McChristian's "The U.S. Army in the West-1870 - 1880" and his other books, "Uniforms, Arms and Equipment - The U.S. Army in the West 1880-1892", Vol. 1 & 2, are some of the best sources for information on this subject.  Doug includes photos that don't just show the regulation stuff, but plenty of the "real world".  It sure doesn't look like the uniforms in a John Ford military western! 

Welcome to our "mess" (the term used for a group of soldiers who ate together...not our current condition!  )

[Deadeye Don]

What kind of shirt did you buy, Don?

I have 2 from them: the first is the most inexpensive version, a commercial one, and a seamstress version.  Both are (so far) very hardy. 

This is the one Jeff.   I was just pulling it over my head and the darn thing ripped across the entire back.
I think this is actually the first time in my life a shirt has ripped like that.
http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/shirt/IndianWar.html

[Montana Slim]

Deadeye Don,

I'm sure River Junction would have replaced the shirt without hesitation. The quality of each item depends on the fabric and obviously varies based on the person doing the work .One strives for consistency, but it is difficult. As far as I know, these shirts are still made local to the store...I know the folks at River Junction, in fact the proprietor inquired with my Mrs if she would be interested in working on the clothing lineup. My wife has gone through their racks several times and commented that in general, there clothes are made quite well, but found a couple that could have been better.

On the original topic, I would most certainly review as many period photos. Posed, studio shots are probably going to reperesent the gents at their most dapper best. Field phots may be a bit more realistic, but one could choose either "look" and still be correct. Personally, I'd go for the natty attire of a studio photo.....better to look good than feel good, you know...and it keeps the ladies happy, too 

Regards,



Slim

[Deadeye Don]

Deadeye Don,

I'm sure River Junction would have replaced the shirt without hesitation. The quality of each item depends on the fabric and obviously varies based on the person doing the work .One strives for consistency, but it is difficult. As far as I know, these shirts are still made local to the store...I know the folks at River Junction, in fact the proprietor inquired with my Mrs if she would be interested in working on the clothing lineup. My wife has gone through their racks several times and commented that in general, there clothes are made quite well, but found a couple that could have been better.

Thanks,  I think I will give them a call.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I think that's a good idea, Don.  Your link shows that, as Trailrider said, it is the "in house" seamstress version.  The commercial version (NOT as authentic, but close) is listed at the bottom of the page.

River Junction will do you right.  Of course, if you keep ripping them apart when turning into "the Hulk" ....

[Deadeye Don]

Update.   I called River Junction.  She looked up my account and said,  "send it back and we will give you a new one".   So there ya go folks.   

[SGT John Chapman]

Can't see it too well but I made this one,......no big deal, I adjusted the Buckaroo Bobbins pattern by some old pictures to create this 1870's through 1880s Issue shirt.....

[Black River Johnny]

ok, I have given this some more thought and have some more detailed questions. I like the first pic of Sgt. John Comfort. So i would like ideas from 1870-1876 or so. I also like what Sgt Chapman has on since that is what I basically have so far, except the boots. So I guess now that I think I understand the terminolgy alittle better I think I am looking for campain type of clothes? something a little more "casual" not the uniform but like the two guys pictured above. Also is it ok to have civillian holsters of should they be military? I do have both a enlisted US and a Officer eagle belt bit all my holsters are civillian. also on that note are the open style pistol holsters that brigade sutler store sell an ok idea to go with. last I do have two hats both are slouch type hats one brown the other tan with a officer cord. well enough rambling for now. thanks for the help.

[FTrooper]

I love the picture of Sgt. Comfort, I believe it dates from 1877 to be correct as there was a picture taken at the same time in his full M1872 dress uniform WITH his MOH!  (not also he does have a M1873 Carbine which Company A of the 4th Cavalry recieved in 1874).  And the trivia of the day, guess what FORT Sgt. Comfort was assigned to when he won the MOH in the Red River War of 1874???     Come on guys...GUESS?!  tehehehehehehe

Chris Fischer
Curator/Interperter
FORT MCKAVETT  SHS

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I love the picture of Sgt. Comfort, I believe it dates from 1877 to be correct as there was a picture taken at the same time in his full M1872 dress uniform WITH his MOH!  (not also he does have a M1873 Carbine which Company A of the 4th Cavalry recieved in 1874).  And the trivia of the day, guess what FORT Sgt. Comfort was assigned to when he won the MOH in the Red River War of 1874???     Come on guys...GUESS?!  tehehehehehehe

Chris Fischer
Curator/Interperter
FORT MCKAVETT  SHS

Howdy, F Trooper!

I'll bite ... Ft. Riley

Or, judging by your tehehehehehe, would Ft. McKavett be close?

[FTrooper]

And we HAVE a wiener! 

[FTrooper]

Now for the other end of the spectrum, Sgt. John Comfort in full dress!  This guy had a very interesting on again/off again military career, ending up with a citation for valor in supporting another cannon of his Battery E, 1st US Artillery at Wounded Knee!

[FTrooper]

http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/index.html

Guys, this website is a wealth of information on trapdoors, variations, and accessories (like the hunting knifes) and the "great pics" and "uniforms" picture galleries are wonderful!

Hope this helps or at least entertains!

Chris Fischer
Curator/Interpreter
Fort McKavett SHS