uniform questions

[Evelyn Canarvon]

   Not so easy for some of us!   

[cpt dan blodgett]

Everybody notice the color of old tops stripes and the stripes on the pants, damn few of us grunts out there in the sea of yellow and red

[pony express]

Everybody notice the color of old tops stripes and the stripes on the pants, damn few of us grunts out there in the sea of yellow and red

That's what I've noticed. Well, I only have full length infantry rifles, and pull on boots don't like my feet anymore......so infantry it is for me! You may notice  also, when you go to a muster, there's not usually enough enlisted men around to keep all the officers you see there out of trouble.

[Curley Cole]

Here is the gun Old Top usually totes around...the one in the pix they stuck in his hands to be in a Veterans Day color guard...he was really proud that day.

enjoy the pix
curley

[G.W. Strong]

I have another question. In the Time Life old west series book on the soldiers I have had since I was a kid there are some period plates of uniforms. One of the figures is an artilleryman wearing a white pith helmet. It is described as disliked by the soldiers.

When was the british style pith helmet issued? Was it only issued in white or was it also issued in khaki? The Brits issued both as various points and I recall reading we ordered them from Great Britian for issue to our troops but I could be wrong on that. 

The reason I ask it I just bought a 1884 brown/khaki artillery uniform from Drydock and I wondered if it might be apropriate to wear this uniform with a pith helmet.

[pony express]

Check out the 2011 Grand Muster pics, you will see Cowtown Scout wearing one of the pith helmets in Khaki(and it's an origianal one at that, I have heard).

[Drydock]

Very useful site:

http://www.history.army.mil/html/museums/uniforms/survey_uwa.pdf

[Drydock]

And for the helmets:

http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/american_helmets1.htm

[Curley Cole]

we always like tryin on hats


curley

[Cowtown Scout]

Check out the 2011 Grand Muster pics, you will see Cowtown Scout wearing one of the pith helmets in Khaki(and it's an origianal one at that, I have heard).

Indeed it is an original.  Printed inside the sweat band is:
Wm. H. Horstmann Co.
Philadelphia
Contract Aug 6, 1898

It appears to have been white but was Tea Stained for wear in the field.  Super light weight.
Scout

[G.W. Strong]

So then I guess I have to pair my rifles with my clothing.

With the clothing I wear in my pics I could shoot one of my 50/70 rifles, either my  m1870 Allin Conversion Trapdoor or my 1871 Springfield Rollingblock. For field uniform use I could use it with my 45/70 trapdoor rifle or carbine though I should probably be looking at an 1880s or 90s uniform to be truly correct.

I also have a krag that I love to shoot.

With a 1884 brown/khaki artillery uniform a pith helmet what rifle would I choose? I'm sure either the 45/70s would be good. How about the Krag?

[cpt dan blodgett]

Late 80s and 90s.  Mid to late 90s when the khaki colored uniform came in helmet went to Khaki
http://www.nyc-techwriters.com/militaria/american_helmets1.htm

Grapeshot and Drydock know alot about them

[G.W. Strong]

How late was the 1884 brown/khaki uniform worn?

[G.W. Strong]

By the way, I should say thanks for all the helpful information.

[Old Top]

Hopalong.

I beleive that it was in one form or another untill 1902 when the next uniform regulations came out.

Old Top

[Drydock]

The 1884 was worn from 1884 clear to 1908 or so,  was seen in the apache campaigns of the southwest, as well as Cuba, and the Phillipines.  I've got Edison newsreels of troops in Tampa and Daquerie, wearing 1884s.  Most of the regulars, as well as the 1st USV (Rough Riders) were wearing them at the San Juan heights.  The first 1898 Kahki's did not reach the troops until the 2nd week of July.  So you could use most any .45-70 trapdoor, and any of the Krags, with the 1884.

In his picture up there, Cowtown scout is wearing the Officer modified version of the 1884.  To the left here, I have on the 1898 Kahki.

[cpt dan blodgett]

Last year Scout and I were on the color guard for the opening ceremony, He in his 84 Cav and I wore my 84 Inf, we had a sailor and a couple of cav and arty guys.  Spect now days that is what ya call a joint operation.

[G.W. Strong]

with the later canvas leggings, what sort of shoe was worn? Are there good sites or books for information about military footwear of the second half of the 19th cenury? I have made shoes and boots for years. That feels like good winter projects in the making.

[Drydock]

From 1885 to 1902 the standard army shoe was a black, leather soled ankle boot, 4-6 eyelets and 3 hooks.  Minor variations from different manufacturers.  The Leggings give you a great deal of flexibility, most any black leather healed shoe or boot will work.  My favorite is my old USN Boondockers..

[pony express]

Here's the only place I know of that makes the correct shoe.

http://www.civilwarboots.com/war_boots.asp

Unfortunately for me, he only lists up to 11 1/2, with no EE width.

Missouri Boot and Shoe used to make them, but some antique piece of equipment he needed to make them broke, or wore out, and apparently there's not enough demand for them to replace it.

I've just been wearing some cheap black oxford type shoes from Wal Mart. Hardest part seems to be finding something with a heel properly shaped so you don't end up walking on the leather leggihg strap, and wear it out.