Indian wars gear

[Kent Shootwell]

Last summer I got a dose of cavalry instruction. I liked it. Now I'd like to get some stripes for my uniform but being a poor inter net user I haven't found the right stuff. The civil war gear isn't what I want so if on of you fine troopers could point me to the place I'd sure be holden to you. 

[Drydock]

The two places I like for this kind of gear are the Quartermaster Shop  and  Coon Creek Old West.  BOth will have what you want.  Though in both cases you may have to call as they may not have the stripes you want on their websites, but they do indeed have them.

http://www.quartermastershop.com/

http://cooncreekoldwest.com/frampage.htm

[Pitspitr]

You might check with Michael Schwietzer at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Hsi mother made mine and they're the best I've been around.

[liten]

the quartermaster shop is the palce for i w cavalry gear, the only problem i had was pants were far to baggy, and they are suppose to be close fitting and have to b tailored in situ

[liten]

if your meaning  stripes on trouses, they  were issued to  sargents corprols and offices ONLY!!!!!  if you were to join a authentic reenacting unit, you would be told to remove them! 

[Drydock]

The availability of fitted clothing was quite rare, and very expensive, in the 19th century.  "Readymades" and most certainly military issue clothing, was indeed quite baggy.  Edison film of the Spanish American war shows enlisted men in very loose fitting uniforms.  Officers would tend to have better fitting outfits, as they were expected to provide their own.  The quartermaster shop trousers are very correct, made to MILSPEC requirements.

Posed/studio photos of the era tended to use fitted clothing retained by the photographer, and is not really indicitive of actual field wear.

Stripes on trousers were indeed a sign of rank.  Per the 1872 regulations, privates would have none, corporals a 1/2" stripe, sergeants 1", field grade officers 1.5", and those of general rank 2"

[Texas Lawdog]

I have purchased any items from Quartermaster, but I have purchased several items from Coon Creek. They are good folks to deal with and they have always had what I needed.

[St. George]

Do your homework first.

Read the 'back pages' here at 'The Barracks', and you'll see numerous references to reliable sutlers as well as to Uniform Regulations of the time frame.

The Civil War gear is largely want was in use on the Frontier during a large part of the Indian Wars - being replaced upon wear-out - ten years or more after the signing at Appomattox.

The Frontier Army had to make do with the tons of equipment left over in Quartermaster hands.

Furthermore - tailoring wasn't something the Enlisted Man could do - they could take things in via darting - but making it a custom fit was out of the question, because the uniform belonged to Uncle Sam and not to the individual, and he didn't like his stuff being cut up.

Especially when it might have to be issued to another Trooper.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[liten]

sorri dis agree cavalry always a stovepipe fit, suppled baggy but soon changed by post tailors

[1SG Yoak]

Last summer I got a dose of cavalry instruction. I liked it. Now I'd like to get some stripes for my uniform but being a poor inter net user I haven't found the right stuff. The civil war gear isn't what I want so if on of you fine troopers could point me to the place I'd sure be holden to you. 

I got the uniform from http://www.mercurysutler.com/index.html Mercury Supply Company Sutler. Great to work with, asks all the right questions and has the appropriate gear for IWP.

The leather came from Carrico's Leatherworks http://www.carricoleather.com/. He does excellent work.

As for the "right stuff", that depends on your time frame within the IWP. As for the baggy vs. stovepipe fit, I haven't read or seen any pertinent data that states that preference. The only comments about post tailors was concerning officers.

[Trailrider]

Quarternaster Shop is the way to go!  My CW 4-button sack coat, which I wear for Indian Wars field duty is getting slightly worn and has some stains, etc.  Of course it is only about 25 years old!  Seriously, they do a great job filling your orders...if you give them the right measurements...a situation I have with my own customers for belts, etc.

As was said, until about the mid-1880's, a LOT of CW gear was still in use in the field.  New clothing, personal equipment, etc., was mostly kept for use in garrison, for formations, inspections, etc.  In addition, company commanders tended to look the other way if troops and even the officers themselves bought, scrounged, etc., civilian apparel to make up for deficiencies in issue clothing and personal equipment.  There are even photos of troops wearing Mexican loop holsters and cartridge belts!

[liten]

with a change in the 1880s to a bellbottom efect  , that made a big change to the cut of the trouses

[Kent Shootwell]

Well Thanks to all! I have done a bit of reading on troopers and I will surely have some nonregulation items mixed in with the most proper equipment I can get. Not being interested in joining a group I feel free to add corporal stripes as I made that rank twice in real life. Cas matches and general play acting with buddys is my use of this cavalry gear. I do try hard to relive any time period correctly (even fried hard tack in grease). The mid to late 1870's is my current focus. And Pitspitr, I do like dealing with folks so I'll try and find that Schwietzer fellow. Any hints?

[Drydock]

Your welcome to shoot with us anytime.   

[liten]

has anyone out there bought any cavalry boots lately??  im after a pair 1885 pattern

[Pitspitr]

I have the M-1876 from Missouri Boot & Shoe. They're pricey but they're also the best.

[liten]

the foot part of the boot looks a bit odd in there  drawings

[Pitspitr]

the foot part of the boot looks a bit odd in there  drawings

Yes but then I believe their drawings are from original drawings.

[liten]

is that how they look? with a round  on the top of the foot

[Pitspitr]

Until they get broke in and take the shape or your foot.