Equipment list for the aspiring 2nd Dragoon/Cavalry Reenactor

A sad tale...

Listen my friends and you shall hear, of the shopping tale of a "reenacteer".

One pistol would do but two were more fun, now not enough money left for the carbine, just one.

The coat was too heavy kinda like a blanket, and the dye turned all purple when the sun it had baked it.

The saddle you know had a fiberglass tree, and the "authentics" made mirth and laughed at it with glee.

His heart it was golden and desired to do right, but the rush to buy stuff created a blight.

The next time he shops will be with more wisdom, some friends with the knowledge will help the decision.

Yes it's happened to more of us than we wish to admit.  We look on those early mistakes and wish we could Hang 'Em High.  It's better to go slow and get it right than waste time and a Fist Full of Dollars rushing to get all that great stuff you thought you saw the other guys using, when For a Few Dollars More you can do much better in the authenticity of your gear and clothing.  It's all out there, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and we're here to help you sort it out.  That way, you won't be branded a FARB, or Josey Wales type.

Now let's not get too tied up in knots either.  We are not a hard-core authentic unit.  We strive more for functional excellence than material perfection.  We typically get labeled by hobbyists as a "Mainstream" unit.  While this label works for some, it leaves much unclear.  We intend to work toward a good to better material impression using well made clothing and equipment.  We encourage all members to start at good mid-quality level and work up from there.

DON'T BUY ANYTHING WITHOUT TALKING TO US FIRST.  Expect to spend from $3,000 to $4,000 to get started, assuming you already have horse and transport for it.

Impression

• The 2nd United States Dragoon / Cavalry, Company H  which, after initial assignment to the Defenses of Washington and Provost Martial (till September 1862), was part of the Army of the Potomac's Reserve Cavalry Brigade.
• Pre-war and early war items are preferred to cover a greater time span.
• Please review the following target impression standards for participants.  We expect it to take time.
• Participation beyond the first two years will require meeting those guidelines listed below.
• All participants are welcomed and encouraged to exceed basic guidelines at their discretion.

Complete Uniform and Equipment definitions and requirements

 Part I.  Uniform and Clothing

Headgear

• 1858 Fatigue Cap (required item)
  • Also called the Forage or Bummer cap.
  • Finely woven dark or royal blue wool (not navy).  A painted black leather brim and chinstrap are preferred.
  • US regulation, small eagle buttons. Black / brown polished cotton liner.
  • The brim should stay flat, rather than the sides curling as a modern cap
  • This is NOT the volunteer Kepi, which has a shorter crown and closely resembles the 1872 Garrison Cap.
• 1850’s Enlisted Uniform Hat (optional item for later)
  • ¼ inch ribbon at base of crown.
  • 2 rows of stitching around the brim edge.
  • Shellacked outside with label inside the crown.
  • Regulation brass insignia, plume and cord (required for this hat)
  • Optional leather chin strap
• Period civilian pattern hats (optional, to be used very infrequently)
  • Fine (non-fuzzy) wool felt of medium to dark gray, brown, or black color.
  • Sewn-on silk ribbon brim edge binding
  • Leather or cotton duck sweat band
  • Chin strings not typical (get one that fits!)
  • Hats had round crown sides without front “pinch”, with a round, flat, furrowed, bowl, or “beehive” shaped crown tops. No modern styles!
• “Hat Brass” (optional items)
  • Designed originally for the Uniform hat, and not the Fatigue Cap until after General Order #53 of 1863.  We see many Fatigue Caps so adorned in the picture of Company I from spring 1863.  You may want a second, unadorned cap for living history purposes.
  • Crossed Sabers with the 1” Company Letter below, and ¾” Regimental number above, all generally centered on the front of the Uniform Hat crown, or on the top of the Fatigue Cap crown.
  • US Eagle hatpin, to attach right side of the uniform hat brim up to the crown.
  • NONE of these to be worn on civilian style hats or caps.
• Hat Cord, with tassels (optional item)
  • Color ORANGE through 1863, Yellow afterward
  • Worn around the base of the hat crown, tassels aligned front and rear along the right side.
  • Worn only on the Uniform Hat, not civilian hats.
• Plume (optional item)
  • Black ostrich feather, about 12” to 14” in length
  • Attached to the left side of the Uniform Hat crown, aligned front to back
  • Only worn on the Uniform Hat, not civilian hats.

Jackets 

• 1858 Fatigue blouse (required item) Also called the "Saque Coat" or Shell Jacket
  • Medium to dark blue lightweight wool flannel with a clearly visible diagonal weave.  NOT blackish “navy” blue which often fades to purple.
  • Short fold over collar, faced lapels
  • Cuffs with a small scalloped vent in the rear.
  • Four large US eagle buttons.
  • Hand-sewn buttonholes. You can easily redo them by hand.
  • Unlined versions have flat-felled seams.
  • Linings are of one-piece wool or wool/cotton weave in the body and muslin in the sleeve.
• 1854 Mounted Service Jacket (optional for first year)
  • Of dark blue or royal blue wool as with the Fatigue blouse
  • ORANGE dyed worsted wool tape trim (we're Dragoons, remember?).  This color lasted till after Gettysburg.  Beyond that and when not portraying the 2nd US, we can just use the Fatigue Blouse noted above, unless you also want to buy a yellow trimmed jacket.
  • 12 Small eagle buttons down the front, 3” tall collar with 2 ornamental buttons each side
  • Hand sewn buttonholes. You can easily redo them by hand.
  • Full body/sleeve linings as the Fatigue blouse, or polished cotton/cotton.
  • Attachments for shoulder scales (optional)
  • Enlisted brass shoulder scales (optional)

Trousers

• Mounted Pattern Trousers (required)
  • Made of sky-blue kersey wool with a clearly visible diagonal weave.
  • Top of the thin, tapering waistband should reach the wearer's navel.
  • Reinforced seat and inseam.
  • Narrow, three to five button fly.
  • Raised back with yoke.
  • Side pockets and right-side watch pocket.
  • Facings on vented cuffs.
  • Detail work, like buttonholes, done by hand. You can redo them yourself.
• Dark blue Mounted pattern trousers (optional for early-war)
  • As above but dyed dark or royal blue.
• Foot Pattern Trousers (optional mid to late war or if you’ve already got ‘em)
  • As above but without reinforced seat and inseam.

Overcoat (optional, cold weather use only)

• Sky blue wool kersey like the trousers;
  • Mounted Pattern is double breasted with wrist length cape:  strongly preferred.
  • Foot Pattern had shorter cape and is single breasted: acceptable if you already have one.

Shirts, under garments, and etc.:

• Civilian Pattern Shirt (required)
  • 100 percent natural materials in period colors and patterns.
  • Small metal, bone, wood, shell, or mother-of-pearl buttons.
  • Fall down collar or a banded collar, with or without a detachable collar.
  • One, two or no pockets.
• Domet or gray flannel US Issue Shirts  (optional- really nice when it’s cold)
  • Domet flannel shirt has three tin buttons: one at neck and one at each cuff.
  • Domet flannel is a cotton warp and wool weft, off-white in color.
  • Gray wool flannel shirt has 4 or 5 buttons, with two or three on a placket front and one on each cuff.
• Suspenders & belts (optional - not issued items.).
  • Civilian patterns of period materials and attachments.
• Drawers (optional)
  • Canton, cotton, or wool flannel or wool knit, all acceptable.
  • White, unbleached, and colors acceptable.

Footwear

• Socks: Solid-color yarn: off-white, gray, buff, blue, or bluish-gray. No color rings or bands of. Of wool, cotton or a wool/cotton blend.  No modern pattern socks.
• Shoes: Issue brogans with pegged or sewn soles. (First choice and early war requirement)
• Boots: Properly constructed, below the knee, military style boot. (Second choice)
  • Single-piece vamp (leg portion) if possible.
  • Pegged or sewn soles.
  • Straight cut top 10" tall maximum (taller or knee flaps discouraged).
  • Wear trousers (outside) in dress formations and inspections.

Part II             Accoutrements and Weapons

Accoutrements

• U.S. issue M1858 sword belt – (required) Of black buff or bridle leather.
  • 2 piece enlisted eagle buckle with applied silver wreath.
  • Shoulder strap is optional as pictures show many did without.
  • Saber straps.
• Cap pouch (required) Pre-war or early war preferred.
• Pistol Cartridge Box - For pistol cartridges - the 2nd US carried these throughout.  Cylinder pouches (a reenactorism) are discouraged except for some reenactments!
• Holster - Black leather, butt forward, end plug, worn on right side.
• Carbine Cartridge box (required)
  • "Sharps box" with tin insert preferred, carried on saber belt.
  • M1860/Burnside accepted as second choice.
• Carbine Sling (required) Of black buff or bridle leather with iron roller snap hook.
• Sabre Knot - Wrist strap secures the saber to you when drawn, for living history purposes only.
• Haversack (required) US issue tarred (not dyed black). Slung over shoulder normally, but over saddle will do.
• Canteen (required)
  • Stopper attached with a loop of hemp, linen twine, or leather shoelace strongly preferred over chain (you can replace it).
  • Snap hooks (a reenactorism) discouraged.
• 1858 Smooth-side type (preferred)
  • Cotton strap or un-dyed leather strap with iron roller buckle and leather safe.
  • Should be worn on person.
  • Wool covered with brown/gray jean, cloth cover preferred over light or dark blue.
• 1862 Bull’s-eye type (optional)
  • Cotton strap or herringbone webbing strap.
  • Wool covering of brown/gray jeancloth preferred over light/dark blue.
• Blanket: Gray/brown US Issue with black stripes properly woven.
• Shelter half: (required) Light canvas with hand-sewn grommets and tin or bone buttons.
• Gum blanket and/or poncho (required) with small brass grommets
• “Wedge” or “A-Frame” tent: Originally meant for 4 or 5 men.  This is your heavy camp shelter.

Weapons

Ordnance reports show the Second Dragoons/Cavalry carried Colt’s .44 "Army" pistol, Sharps’ 1859/1863 Carbine, and 1840/1860 Cavalry Sabers throughout the war period.

• Carbine (required - note that this should be your first weapon purchased!!)
  • Model 1859 or 1863 Sharp's
  • Other US issue carbines only if you already have it.
• Saber (required) Made with wire wrapped, leather bound grip, and a peened tang (no nut on the end)
  • 1840 Heavy Cavalry (aka Wrist Breaker) preferred.  We weld them for extra strength.
  • 1860 Light Cavalry also accepted.  It's easier to wield.
• Pistol  - (Only one allowed for living history and other sensitive events. Pistols can be loaded using cartridges in these circumstances)
  • Colt model 1860 .44 caliber "Army" Revolver strongly preferred. (Required for serious living history)
  • Colt model 1851 .36 caliber "Navy" Revolver, next choice for early-war.
  • Remington .44 or .36 caliber 1858 "Army" or “Navy” revolver last choice.
  • All others strongly discouraged or not allowed!
  • BUY YOUR CARBINE FIRST !!!  BUY YOUR SABER SECOND, AND BUY THE PISTOL LAST!!!

Part III            Personal Items

Other/Personal Items (underlined are of first priority)

• Cup - issue tin cup - no stainless steel!
• Small sheet steel fry pan with riveted handle, or canteen half (no speckle ware)
• Fork and / or spoon
• Folding pocket knife of a period look
• Hygiene: tooth brush, small mirror, comb, shaving equipment, etc.
• Cotton or Linen ration "poke" bags with draw strings
• Pipe & tobacco pouch and matches (cigarettes not period correct)
• Housewife (needles, thread, thimbles, buttons)
• Writing utensils & paper
• Handkerchiefs
• Gaming paraphernalia
• Wallet & period repro money
• Pocket watch with key wind and chain fob.

Part IV.   Horse Equipments

• Saddle - Enlisted Model 1859 McClellan - All iron hardware, including "jappaned" or blued iron bar buckles. All items required unless noted otherwise.
  • Coat straps should be of proper weight with correct buckles, leather stops recommended.
  • Proper wool web girth and surcingle with iron roller buckles.
  • Crupper: (optional) an issued item, but you may do without.
  • Breast straps: (optional) not an issued item with 1859 equipment.  If your horse requires one, we prefer a good field pattern breast strap over the pre-war military pattern.
  • Hooded wooden stirrups, toe straps discouraged, but allowed.
  • Carbine Socket (optional)
  • Saddle Bags - Blackened leather, smooth or pebble grain.
    • Smaller bags with iron buckle closure.
    • Must contain a body brush and hoof pick. Should also contain a properly reproduced or original currycomb and horseshoes.
• Halter – (required) U.S. issue of black bridle leather and iron hardware.
• Bridle – (required) Blackened bridle leather
  • 3 or 6 buckle.
  • All buckles should be "jappaned" (black) or blued iron bar buckles.
  • Rosettes on brow band allowed.
  • Bit - U.S. issued iron curb bit with curb chain
  • Link Strap - with iron wire snap hook.
  • Enlisted Reins - sewn in the center and to the bit.
• Nosebag (required)
  • White Canvas, with flat or rounded black leather bottom
  • Black or un-dyed leather strap with iron roller buckle.
• Lariat and Picket Pin (lariat required for campaign events)
  • 4-strand, left-laid 30' hemp, whipped at one end.
  • Eye spliced to hand forged iron picket pin (optional).
• Saddle Blanket – (required) U.S. issued dark blue wool with ORANGE woven stripe
  • "U.S." hand stitched in center in ORANGE.
  • Saddle pads strongly discouraged.  Use your issue gray wool bed blanket or shelter half for extra padding.  Pads, if used must be completely hidden at all times.
• Grain Sack            Roughly 6 inches by 2 Feet (optional)
• Watering bit and reins (optional)
• Period watering bucket (wood, canvas, etc.) Or use your Nosebag.
• Spurs and Straps: (optional)
  •  Plain brass spurs
  • Correct black leather straps with iron buckles

Toujours Pret