Getting my Feet Wet

[Mad_Dog]

Hello!  I've been lurking in these parts for awhile, and am finally getting a chance to go out and see some of this NCOWS stuff in person!  I don't have anything resembling an outfit together yet and only have one appropriate firearm (found a black-powder revolver under the christmas tree) but I'll be headed down to watch the Covered Bridge Shootists do their thing this Saturday!

I was wondering whether I should make some pitiful attempt at appropriate attire (overalls, work boots, etc.) and see if maybe they'll let me shoot my revolver, or if I'd be better off skipping the half-@$$ed attempt and just show up in modern attire to watch.

-Mad Dog

[St. George]

Take a good look through the 'back pages' on this Forum and on the 'Historical Society Forum' , and you'll find several good threads on how to put together a low-cost outfit that you can build upon.

Much of it you can find at your local Thrift Store, so you don't need to visit a 'supplier' just yet.

If I can help - send me a PM.

Good Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Welcome, Mad Dog!

As St. George wrote, keep  looking around here - you'll find a lot of good info.  AS to just "showing up" or trying to get equipped first, I'd say go in whatever makes you feel comfy ... and be sure to take safety glasses and ear protection.  Those Covered Bridge folks are real nice and would probably welcome you "as you are."

Like SASS, you have time (usually a year or so) to really get outfitted.   The advantage YOU have is by going there FIRST, you'll then find out first hand on some things to get PLUS things to stay away from.  That's helpful as most of us have extra equipment and clothes which we maybe THOUGHT were appropriate, but weren't as good as we thought.  You'll save cash, and in these days that's important!

What was that revolver you got from Santa?  Cap & ball is a good way to get into the "spirit" of the Olde West and shooting like "back in the day."

Glad to hear from ya!

Jeff  "Steel Horse Bailey"

[Mad_Dog]

Much of it you can find at your local Thrift Store, so you don't need to visit a 'supplier' just yet.

Thanks, Jeff, St. George.  I spent several afternoons over the past few weeks trolling the thrift stores looking for a hat, some suspenders, and a decent pair of hopefully wool pants I could convert to suspender use.  Unfortunately other than a stiff straw cowboy hat for my son, we were pretty much a bust (my rather large girth didn't help, though there were still no decent hats or suspenders to be found).  There's still one store I didn't get a chance to look at (they closed at 5, we arrived at 5:05), so I'm holding out hope yet!  I found stuff I like at River Junction (shirt, trousers, suspenders), but I don't have the $130 in my fun budget yet so for the moment it's Thrift Stores for me!

If I could find some button suspenders at a decent price locally I'd be tempted to convert an old pair of jeans (remove the loops, add the buttons) and just live with the extra pocket on the butt.  All wal-mart had were clip-ons though.  I've been afraid to see what they cost at the "Men's Wear" store lol.

My revolver is a Pietta "1858" New Model Army.  My Big-Lube conicals arrived yesterday, and I have caps and a bottle of ballistol.  If either of the local stores gets some 3F before the weekend I'll be all set to knock the shiny off and soot it up!

-Mad Dog

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Cool, MD!

If you show up with even a few items of the right clothing those folks will be really happy!  Shows initiative.

Best to ya!

[Kayleen]

Mad Dog,
Please PM me with your sizes and I may be alble to outfit you very cheap but also very correct. Most of the folks in Indiana and Kansas can vouch for me when it comes to being authentic.
Kayleen

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Mad Dog,
Please PM me with your sizes and I may be able to outfit you very cheap but also very correct. Most of the folks in Indiana and Kansas can vouch for me when it comes to being authentic.
Kayleen

Yeppir!

[Cole Bluesteele]

FYI, Mad Dog

You have a year to get your outfit to Level One standards.  GO SHOOT!

Ted

[Dynamite Bill]

i will bring you a rifle and /or a shotgun to the shoot saturday with plenty of boolets to boot. you shoot 'em & i'll have the wife clean "em, it don't git no better than that!

[jefff]

dang bill, you shore know how to tempt a feller.how could you ask that purty wif of yourn to clean your nasty guns?
mad dog your gettin good help in dynamite bill,he can help you with shooten bp.good luck and have fun.jefff

[Mad_Dog]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!  I found a shirt that might be passable at the thrift store last night (I'm hoping I can modify the collar) and ordered a pair of button suspenders off Amazon (go go Prime... it'll be here friday).  My task for this evening is to pick up some Jeans buttons and a seam-ripper from Wal-Mart!  I'll be wanting to replace all this with more authentic stuff, but I figure It'll get me started.

Kayleen -- PM Sent!

Dynamite Bill -- How could I turn that offer down?  Just look for the confused fat man without a hat, and that'll be me.  (I've got a bid in on a hat at shopgoodwill.com, but the auction doesn't end till tomorrow so even if I win I won't have it for this weekend)  I'm gettin' excited already, and it's only wednesday!

thanks again, everyone!!!

-Mad Dog

[Cherokee Reb]

Mad Dog,

Try to get to the NCOWS Convention in Shepherdsville. There will be lots of vendors and good seminars.

CR aka Mingo Frank

[John William McCandles]

Mad Dog,

Try to get to the NCOWS Convention in Shepherdsville. There will be lots of vendors and good seminars.

CR aka Mingo Frank

Mad Dog, if you can make it to the conviention, Walt Kirst will be there along with Peabody Rifles set up as vendors and also doing seminars. Hamiltion Dry Goods and others will also be there with their wares.
We are also having a couple of interesting raffles to help with the cost of the conviention.
This a link to more information on The Johnson County Rangers website.

http://www.jcrangers.com/2013Convention.htm

Hope you can make it.
JW

[pony express]

Hamilton Dry goods, mentioned above, has a package deal, pants, shirt, socks, suspenders, for I think $69. But the shirt is a lace up front style, not sure what exact period that would be correct for.

[Mad_Dog]

Hamilton Dry goods, mentioned above, has a package deal, pants, shirt, socks, suspenders, for I think $69. But the shirt is a lace up front style, not sure what exact period that would be correct for.

I'm afraid the NCOWS convention is not in the cards for this year.  I think my "fun" budget this year is going to go towards clothes, powder, and perhaps a bit of gunsmithing.  Maybe next year though!  I'm half tempted to buy some raffle tickets though... that sure is a purty Remington setup!

Thanks for pointing out the special, Pony.  That looks like a really good deal, but sadly there's more of me than will fit in Hamilton's largest size (You might be able to squeeze my 3X self into their 2X clothes, but it wouldn't be pretty!).  I picked up a seam ripper and some "bachelor buttons" ("jeans buttons") at Jo-Ann's yesterday though, and found a pair of jeans that had been relegated to "don't wear to work" status.  I've decided that I need a better seam ripper!  Eventually the belt loops came off though.  I goobered up the first button pretty good when I tried to attach it, but a dremel with a cut-off wheel made short work of that!  I got the next 4 on ok, and decided to wait and do both of the back ones tomorrow after I get more buttons (6 per pack, but only 5 left after i smooshed one).

-Mad Dog

[John Smith]

Mad Dog, where are you located? 

[Major 2]

Get in touch with
James Country Mercantile
jamescountry.com
(816) 781-9473
111 N Main St,
Liberty, MO

She stocks shirts up to 56-58  and can make larger, great patterns , color choices & prices too

[Mad_Dog]

Mad Dog, where are you located? 

In the northern outskirts of the Huntsville Metro area.

-Mad Dog

[Dynamite Bill]

thats Huntsville, Alabama..................you know, the state with all them BCS Championships!

[Mad_Dog]

thats Huntsville, Alabama..................you know, the state with all them BCS Championships!

Roll Tide!