A Dozen Inexpensive Ways to Improve Your Personal Impression: By Cal Kinzer

[paulcalloway]

This was cutting edge stuff about 15 years ago. It's here more out of nostalgia than anything else.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Guys,

This is basically an example of how to set yourself apart from the mainstream as a generic authentic, without specific unit research. We all know how un-authentics dress at mainstream reenactments, so this should not be a big surprise. When Cal wrote this, he was not referring to EBUFU events with heavy unit research. I would say this is a "how to" for the progressive reenactor, plain and simple.

I think his basic point still holds true today, and is good advice for a generic reenactor.

[YoungCampaigner]

Hello All. I think that the fundimental facts in Mr. Kinzer's article were very good. However, there were several things that I did not like about his article. First of all, Mr. Kinzer makes far too many generalizations. It just doesn't make any sense to say that ALL soldiers got rid of their gaiters before the middle of the war. Just like today, nobody's tastes and preferences are the same. If some gent thought that gaiters looked good on him and were useful, he would have kept them until they wore out.

The other thing that bugs me about Mr. Kinzer's article is that he says several times that something looks bad. Yes, gaiters may look bad, but if they are authentic, that is more important. People thought differently about how things looked in the 1860's than they do now. It sounds like Mr. Kinzer is saying what looks good or bad by today's standards. Please forgive me if I am wrong. I may just be misunderstanding the meaning of Mr. Kinzer's words.

[cap tassel]

"I have yet to see a period photograph of a bluedEnfield. (If anyone has one, I’d like to see it!)" - Cal

Cal's the type of guy I avoid.

[RJSamp]

#13 LEARN THE BUGLE CALLS and utilize a bugler at all events.

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

We may want to revise part of this. At least for eastern Federals.

CRRC2 makes a fairly persuasive argument for the use of some hat brass and corp badges. Their documentary eveidence seems to support that a majority of the soldiers ahd something (although definitely) not everything on their hats.

The secret is to have appropriate stuff on your hat for the scenario. It really isn't that expensive to have multiple Corp badges of company letters or even regimental Numbers for your hat.

[bda0001]

Obviously everyone has there own opinions and each unit there own practices, but I think the last point of the non-descript soldier is an excellent point. This is a great place for one to start on a better impression for free.

[Chip]

I'm fairly new to this forum but not new to living history, etc.

From my point of view, you honor the men you are portraying by dressing and acting appropriately for a particular window in time. In many cases you have enough photos, diaries, letters, equipment issue documentation, etc. to establish what most of the men would have been wearing and thinking about for any given time and place.

I sometimes stop and ask myself what the original members of my regiment would think of my/our portrayal of them... Would they feel honored or disgraced?

How many of us feel confident enough to be able to go back in time and fall-in without anyone being able to notice us? What would give us away?

Just some thoughts...
Chip U.
21st OVVI
SCAR

[sf46]

Despite the disagreements of some about a few of the points in the article, I found it to have a lot of useful information, overall.

[Old Reb]

I know Cal. I have fallen in with Cal. He is a bit quirky but a right good fellow even though once at a dog and poney show in Oklahoma he got all bent out of shape about my boys possibly drawing rammers. Like Paul said, it is a journey tinged with nostalgia to read what old Cal wrote. Read it as coming from one of the old timers that helped move the hobby forward even if you don't agree with what he wrote. By the way, Cal is still alive.