I'm a FARB

[Cam]

Re: I'm a FARB

Pard,
I will try my best to help you out. From what you write you are doing a little better than alot of people I know. Being on a tight budget is very understandable, but don't let it stop you from improving your kit. You may want to check out the Articles under links on the AC toolbar. It has an article on exactly your problem. You also may want to check the Buy,Sell,Trade forum. It usually has alot of good used items at pretty reasonable prices. There is also always the vendors on the AC links page. I hope this might help you out a little bit.
Your Pard,
Cameron Owen
32nd Mississippi Inf.
Co. E

[dusty27]

Re: I'm a FARB

Steve,

I would suggest using the search feature to look for quality used equipment and uniform pieces here. This search will also pull up discussions with regard to the items that you are inquiring about.

Good luck in your search.

[kemper_rifles]

Re: I'm a FARB

You're not a farb, you're progressive. That's good. You might want to check out the Approved Vendors in the Links section. Get rid of all the sutler row stuff because they are no doubt made incorrectly. I'd lose the shebang and get a good oil cloth/gum blanket and a correctly made wool blanket instead. But, that is only my preference. If you are pressed for cash, you're best off to focus on one impression. Paul Calloway wrote some really good articles in the Editorial Articles aimed at beginning reenactors and improving one's impression without spending a lot. You should check them out.

[Johan Steele]

Re: I'm a FARB

Believe it or not I've heard excellent things about Upper Mississippi Mercantile; I don't know if they are on the approved vendors list or not but they do have a nice set of leathers for a nice price. I do Union and have lucked out w/ an excelent set of leathers from them. Their Tinware was first rate as well. They are heads and shoulders above the standard Sutler Row.

Most important thing is to read, read and then read some more. A first rate impression is not neccessarily made w/ a $250 perfectly accurate Sack Coat. That is part of it but know your drill, your persona and the soldier of 1863 and you'll not embarass yourself if your kit isn't perfect.

Lurk on this site long enough and you'll find much of the FARB gone.

I'm a Progressive who is slowly upgrading my impression, one or two items at a time. Believe me I understand your situation, a 3 year old w/ heart problems and a newly purchased house.

Good Luck

[Smokey Toes]

Re: I'm a FARB

Steve,
Everyone here has experienced various stages of authenticity during the progression of their impression, and all of us are continuing with that process. It never ends. The reality of it is that we can only reach a level of authenticity that our own level of desire, research and finances will allow. Unfortunatly, in most cases the desire and research will allow, but the cost of it will not. Soooo, my advice is this:
Short term- work with what you have, to improve the gear you have. Do the little things like button holes, adjusting your haversack, canteen and equipment, and ensure that it is worn properly (as a starter, and only as a starter, see the articles section of this site) to make necessary adjustment based off of what you may find lacking in your impression. START REASERCHING NOW.

Mid Term- Develop your impression based upon solid research. The uniforms and equipment you buy should be a representation of documented equipment available to the soldiers serving in the theater you portray. Try to keep it generic and simple so that one impression (with only minimal adjustments) could work for multiple units that served in a single brigade, division etc. Work on getting one good impression before starting another. If your on a tight budget (arn't we all) you may consider buying uniforms and equipment that was readily available towards the beginning of the war. The reason for this is simple; so that you don't do a early or mid-war event with articles that were not available. IE - RD III jackets, Tait jackets, etc.

Finally - Only buy gear that suites your research criteria. (Save money while you research, use the "buy sell trade" feature on this site, and check the "Bully Buys") Though quality items tend to be more costly, in the long run you save money because you are buying quality and you will not have to replace items later, thus saving you money.

This is only my opinion on the matter, and I hope it helps you out some.

Best,

[billwatson]

Re: I'm a FARB

Sensible priorities identified by folks in the past: Make the first thing you get in the way of improved kit a good, new hat. Make the second new thing a quality jacket or blouse. Whenever you can, of course, but seriously, consider those things first. Those items are the most noticeable to many folks, and kind of set the tone. Also, once you have sprung for a good hat and a good jacket, and see the difference it makes, it kind of validates your thinking. Be one with the hat. :-)

[Charles Heath]

Re: I'm a FARB

How high should I wear my canteen, and haversack? Thanks in adavance.

This well circulated article may be of some assistance:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/8577/habba.html

At one time, a hardcorism existed whereby haversacks were worn tight under the armpit (what additional flavors must have been imparted unto the rations) and canteens strapped midway between the shoulder blades at a jaunty angle. Don't do this. These bold fashion statements were evidence of the pendulum swinging way far the other way to avoid the mainstream syndrome of accoutrements banging around the ankles. The article demonstrates there may be a happy and common sense medium in the placement of haversack and canteen based on documentation.

Charles Heath

[Spinster]

Re: I'm a FARB

Steve,

Contact me through this board's private message system. If you bought your jacket from Bridgeport, its likely we both attend some of the same events, in order to fill the time between the sorts of events publicized on this board.

My upcoming calendar includes Blountsville, Resaca, and Tannehill, and I'll be glad to aid you on those buttonholes. Overworking them gives only a slight improvement, as you then have big lumpy buttonholes--better to pick out the machine stitching, darn a little fabric in, and hand work the whole buttonhole.

Good luck on that tentfull of teenage daughters--I'm currently dividing our gear as my last one heads off to graduate school in another state.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: I'm a FARB

1.Read the books recomended in this thread:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1292

2.Get in shape, walk/run do lots of situps crunches etc. (Everybody needs to keep this in mind)

3.Look at and study lots and lots of photos.

Remember proper mind set goes miles towards a good impression, and also remember you will never be finished with authenticity.

[Yellowhammer]

Re: I'm a FARB

Johan and whoever else is interested,

Upper Mississippi Mercantile is NOT on the approved vendor list.

Here are some samples of their wares:

Haversacks:



"Federal Caps"



And of course... lantern hangers:

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: I'm a FARB

"And of course... Lantern Hangers:"

This is a "Farb favorite" Stillwagon.....



Mr. Robert Johnson has some good basic advice all of us should take to heart.

Hog-Eye

[Enfilade]

A Recommendation...

Johan,

Many great suggestions here will definitely help. By you asking for help here, you can definitely get some advice you can count on in order to be a better Historian/Living Historian/Reenactor or whatever.

I would like to amend what others have said here with a caveat. Unless you fall in with or get involved in an authentically motivated unit, all the great gear and scholarly reading will have been for naught. Most everyone is guilty by association at a reenactment, event, etc. Heck, ask anyone whose had to be with me. :tounge_sm

If you are a member of a Farb unit, then IMHO, you haven't done yourself justice in order to get better as a Reenactor have you? And if you are a member of a more authentically minded group, they should be helping you anyways with loaner gear and regulations, buying guides, historically based information that collaborates what you need to buy and implement into your impression, etc.. And at the very least help you steer clear of the crap on Sutler Row and make your purchases count for something or at least buy something you can utilize now.

You're already in a bad way by having amassed a lot of useless garb that now needs to be replaced. You've acknowledged that fact. What if you'd been guided by or instructed by someone who knew what you needed and gave you sound advice to begin with? Would it have been a help? Certainly it would have been. And quite a bit cheaper on your backside too.

So what I'm saying is that really the first thing necessary in order to "not" be a Farb, is to get involved with an authentic group and leave the Farbs to ruin their own impressions, not yours. Run away now as fast as possible. :wink_smil

I hope that this has helped.

Mark Berrier
North State Rifles
combinations@northstate.net