Painting Knapsacks

[61' reb]

I have recently petitioned to join the Masonic Lodge and I will be going through this Saturday. I would eventually like to paint a small masonic symbol, the square and compass, on the side of my knapsack, nothing too big.

I was wondering what kind of paint would be the best to use on a knapsack to make it look period correct?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Jeb Hawthorn]

For a secret society, you guys sure do like to advertise. :D

[61' reb]

With all do respect

We like to advertise because it is such a great organization that we are proud of it, proud of the time it takes to achieve the title, mason, proud of the heritage of masonic cultures.

Darn right masons are proud to advertise.

[AZReenactor]

Satisfactory point, Benjamin.

Is there, any documentation for advertising secret societies by painting symbols on knapsacks?

Heck, if we are going to do that, I might be tempted to paint a braying jackass on mine. Although, I suppose i might need to get permission of the Noble Grand Humbug Erectus first, at least the permission of the Chairman of the Most Important Committee lest I be bared from the Hall of Comparative Ovations. The Royal Platrix didn't cover this issue that I can recall. ;-)

[tater_cuffie]

If you don't have anythin to say concernin the point then don't post anythin! Sure some can question the Masons, but that's no reason to make fun of them. I have plenty of pards that are Masons, and they're nice people and wouldn't poke fun of your society. Masons do many good things for the community the way I take it, maybe some of their kindness and respect could rub off on you 2 (Troy and Benjamin)....

respectfully,

[AZReenactor]

Who's poking fun?

[61' reb]

Thank You Kyle for your kind words.

And to AZ reenactor, maybe some of us actually have a life and we are proud of the things we do and the organizations we are affiliated with and we would like to show our affiliation with said groups, maybe authenticity doesn't matter to us all of the time. I have seen quite a few masonic emblems in civil war history, heck, Gettysburg has a whole monument dedicated to the Masons that fought in the Civil War.

Most americans have a choice of what to do, <strike>my choice was just to paint a Masonic emblem on my knapsack, not to make a claim as it being authentic,</strike> but simply to say i am a proud member of the Masonic Lodge.

Besides AZ Reenactor, this is a forum that is dedicated to History, something you think you know about, so if you don't know how to answer my question, don't answer at all.

[AZReenactor]

Being a member of a Secret society is all well and good. But be careful, such rationale as you claim is the basis for many a farbism.

Most americans have a choice of what to do, my choice was just to paint a Masonic emblem on my knapsack, not to make a claim as it being authentic, but simply to say i am a proud member of the Masonic Lodge.

[61' reb]

You do state a good fact AZ Reenactor, i had just planned to make it a small symbol on the upper side corner of my Isaac and Campbell pack.

Good point though.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Most americans have a choice of what to do, my choice was just to paint a Masonic emblem on my knapsack, not to make a claim as it being authentic, but simply to say i am a proud member of the Masonic Lodge."

Moderator hat on...

It is the standard of the AC Forum to strive for what is researched and documented to the Period. In that spirit, the question should have better been whether Masonic emblems were applied to clothing and gear, and if so in what Period Correct manner.

I can be proud of say, a membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, or the Turner Verein, or a college "Greek" fraternity, but would not necessarily paint say a harp on my knapsack or canteen cover simply because I am "proud."

That can quickly devolve into Militant Farbism, and a violation of this Forum's No Farbism Rule.

(And no, I am not a Freemason myself, just the son of a Past Grand Master of two lodges.)

Curt

[brown]

I know that in all seriousness, Masonic membership today is often quite public. However, wasn't it more private during our time period, which could help explain the lack of documentation to marking property? I own several items left by several male ancestors who were active Masons (including an ACW vet), but nothing is marked.

[61' reb]

Okay guys, i was just asking a question about paint, i wasn't trying to stir up anything. I apologize for causing an uproar about something as small as painting a symbol. Please close this thread because obviously no one wants to give input on the question i asked, but instead gives word to irrelevant matters that do not even concern the question asked about paint.

Please close this thread.

[AZReenactor]

I don't know. You asked, "what kind of paint would be the best to use on a knapsack to make it look period correct?" As such, the topic of whether any paint should be used, is quite legitimate.

Seems to me that the displaying of fraternal symbols on knapsacks or elsewhere is certainly a valid topic of discussion and see absolutely no reason to close the thread. I think it safe to allow it to go where it will, as long as it relates to the topic of the forum and doesn't stray into advocating farbism and such.

I suppose someone could have suggested you should use period authentic type paints, inks, etc. but that would have been far too simplistic a response, don't you think?:wink_smil

[brown]

I responded in a respectful way to a portion of your question. Had you only wanted a list of period paint options, why didn't you ask that alone? Seemed to me you wanted to also pursue the image.

But, to respond to the very limited scope that you secretly (or is that a bad word in this thread) wanted covered, I used the search function and added links below. I'll leave anything else about the period to discuss with others.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20410&highlight=period+paint
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18930&highlight=period+paint
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16996&highlight=period+paint
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14096&highlight=period+paint

[Kiev Thomason]

Gentlemen,
In respect to all. There is a feeling of pride to be had with joining a lodge or any other thing one might wish to do be it football,reenacting ect. I have been a card carring brother for going on 7 years now and I along with many others look into the brotherhood during the war alot. That being said I don't know that I have ever seen it painted on a knapsack. Don't take this as a slap on the wrist. I just know that as others have stated let's be authentic. I think that there is alot of pround Brothers around here. Most of us wear rings that are correct to the period .We also wear watch fobs and other small tokens. The best thing I can say is before anyone paints ,tattoos or brands themselves or their kit ....look it up. If you find it then go for it. I understand where you are coming from. I also see Troy's point. There are enough folks who some are not even in the craft that wear huge tokens all over the jackets and such. We need to stop this kind of junk. There are ways that we know each other without flashy neon signs. I am glad to see that you are getting into a lodge...thats great. When you get all the way through is when you need to worry about making it known and then....take it in small steps. There is the Traveling man's folder and when you get done with the third step let us know and you can get into it and view it and ask other Brothers all the things that are on your mind in private.I will say this. I can't remember where but I have seen masonic tokens painted inside a knapsack.

Just my thoughts.

[lukegilly13]

Addressing the Mason thing:
I believe an approved vendor was recently added who carries items of the period related to this. Some of their items may be of use if you want to portray a soldier who belonged to your organization.

Addressing the painting:
I have viewed only one original knapsack that had some really neat stenciling of militia letters....this was on an early war wooden framed knapsack. The letters were veary neatly stenciled in what seemed to be an oil based paint. I would recommend using maybe a linseed oil based paint and whitening it (as you would blacken it for say a groundcloth)....and I think there is a recent thread about how to create different color paints. Now, if you're painting an emblem then you will need to make sure you get the period correct stencil...Can show pictures of common letter font, but would recommend in your case finding a period emblem painted on gear somewhere to get the proper size, shape, etc.....
I don't recall ever seeing one but i'm sure if you find one we'd all enjoy reading any info you'd be kind enough to post.

[pistolpete1863]

I first wanted to say as someone who knows Jon, I do not think that any one who knows him personally would question his authenticity only talking to him for a short time you would find he really knows his stuff. For the paint try contacting Eric Woods of Dirty Back Boys he should know what would be good.

[tinman1863]

In response to the whole "symbol on the knapsack" deal, the few items (that I have seen) and what not that were Mason in origin seemed to be small and inconspicuous and though may have been in the open, probably went unnoticed (such as watch fobs).

Kristoffer Lee Tinney

[61' reb]

Thank you guys for all of your input and advice. Thank you Kiev for showing others the pride of what if feels like to be known as a part of such an organization. My brother is a senior warden in the lodge and he advised me to not take any actions at least until i made it all the way through. I understand that this site and side of the living history is concerned about authenticity and i want to uphold that in my impression as much as possible. I know what you guys mean when you say that some take representation of things to a farby level that makes things stand out like a bull in a china shop, i have no intentions of doing that to myself, or to those who around me.

Thank you as well TJ, for clarifying my authenticity for those who do not know me.

Therefore i have learned from you gentlemen to research and see what was correct, and i believe i have learned to hold off on painting the symbol on my knapsack (after being taunted and harped at first), i soon learned that i shouldn't paint my knapsack.

Thank you for you help and advice.

My apologies to anyone that i offended as well.

[mountainman]

Heck, I will paint it on there for you Jon. I as well as a good number on the forum are proud to have a good young man like you in the Brotherhood. You bring the paint.

[Bill]

In regard to marking equipment with the Masonic square and compass. How about an entire ship? The USS Baron DeKalb had this Masonic symbol suspended between its smokestacks. (Photo from the Nov/Dec "Civil War Times")

[55th VVI]

Welcome Jon. Having recently been raised, I can say, you are part of a wonderful organization.

Troy,
We are not a secret organization, we are an organization with secrets. If we were a secret organization no one would no we exist.

For all others who aren't sure of some of the good work Masons do every day, every hear of the Shriner's Children's Hospitals? The Shriners are a masonic organization.

[AndrewGrim]

This is not about pride in joining a society, but the accuracy of those displays.

[61' reb]

Thank you guys who have showed your support and who have welcomed me into the Masonic Order. I am greatly proud of my affiliation with such an esteemed organization. I look forward to representing the organization when I have made it all the way through for the rest of my life, whether it be civil war or modern day life.

I agree with Mr. Siegel, the Mason's are not a secret organization, if they were then heck, i wouldn't have had to worry about painting something on my knapsack to represent them.

Thank You men for your support, your help, your strives to tell me what is and is not accurate.

[lthull3rdla]

I've been to the East!

Ronnie - Shreveport

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Ok, secret, we're not secret organziation stuff aside. Pride or not stuff aside. Don't I remember either the Civil War Historian or the CCG (NO Laughing) run a series of articles in the last two years about reenacting Freemasonary appropriately in CW camps?

And if it was true that units went about setting up lodges in permanent camps then it really wasn't "undercover" during the war.

That being said the knapsack belonged to the unit NOT the individual soldier (at least in the Union Army) and as such I think that individual whimsy (How do I decorate my pack?) would fall under the provence of your NCO or Officers as to whether or not they'd allow it.

If you can find evidence of it happening in the unit you portray then it would be authentic of you to do it. If you can't than you are going to have to limit your display of pride to personal items such as a ring or maybe a tobacco sack.