What Gear?????

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: What Gear?????

Just an opinion only, but for your four items of quality, they should be your most important/used part of you kit.

Defarded rifle or musket
Coat
Trousers
Brogans

For medication, try a metal tin or pokebag that you can stick in your haversack or knapsack.

I won't really go into the 1st person lingo- there are others way ahead of my game in this. There are times when it will be appropriate at events and sometimes no if there is no one anyone doing it and the event is held on an AYSO soccer field. However, it also means you can start getting your unit to start into FP and practice your impressions. This will cause others to do it as well making things all the more authentic for all to enjoy.
Hope this helps or at least the norm of opinions.

[Pritchett Ball]

Re: What Gear?????

Steve:

Please give us some more info on what/whom exactly you are portraying?
Are you interested in mid to late war AOT...
You logged in as scvga52, are you a Sons of Confederate Veterans group portraying the 52nd Georgia Unit...what is your specific interest? Where are you at this point on basic Uniform requirements?

Example:
The 7th TX. Infantry, Co. A Waco Guards is the unit I call "home" here in Texas.
We portray that unit in Granbury's Texas Brigade, Cleburne's Division in the AOT. All our Uniform & Equipage is based on info received from the Chickamauga NP, via Jim Ogden, and other sources, on what the common AOT Confederate Soldier had at that Battle, and beyond. Our Jackets can range from Columbus Depot, Dept. of Alabama, and Mobile Depot, Civilian Sack Coats...
Our Trousers can be Civilian, Military issue, (totally discourage Yank trousers)...Cartridge boxes are 1857/1861 US issue, 1839 .69cal issue, correct Enfield style, Atlanta Depot, most Confederate Depot boxes that are known to be used by the AOT...

These are just examples of the choices we have as a unit. Let us know more specifics; we will be of more help on what to get, and where to get it!

Kevin Dally

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: What Gear?????

Just wanted to say my post was from a Union point of view-not too many differences in uniform syles (sack, frock, inf. jacket) throughout the war and Mr. Dally hit the head on the nail for the CS side.....
I'll just be quite now.

[Gallinipper]

Re: What Gear?????

For someone going from progressive to Authentic, what is the 3 or 4 most important peices of equipment one should invest in? Should one always talk in first person about the period one is protraying? How should one carry medication so it does look period? Sorry if these questions sound stupid, but want to have the best impression I can. Thanks in advance

Bull,
Just my $.02 here but I think two of the more important, and underrated, items (judging from the masses) would be an authentic pair of shoes and headgear of your choice. I would think a well-reproduced knapsack and blanket are worth some consideration too. Staying in "firper" is extremely challenging, but it can definitely be rewarding if you are with like-minded fellows. You just have to commit yourself to that, and it helps if those around you share the same mindset. As far as period containers, check out Lord's volumes as a good reference. There are also several tinware vendors who sell period pill and snuff containers, etc. One of my favorite items is my little old "Essence of Coffee" tin from Jarny, which has carried most every trinket I can think of at some time or another.

Rich Croxton

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: What Gear?????

First and foremost: your attitude and knowledge. Gear is important, but I've seen loads of total farbs outfitted in great uniforms and kit. The stereotype of the "campaigner" shamcore (someone with good kit who acts like a poltroon in it) is so common that it's basically a truism.

As for the material items of your kit that you should upgrade first, no one can tell you that because we can't see your portrayal without a photo. For instance, if you wear eyewear that is less than accurate, that is probably the first thing that needs to be replaced. Is your hat one of those awful excuses of modern headgear? If so, replace it quickly. Ultimately what I'm trying to say is, replace the most visible farbisms in your kit first, and worry about the less-visible stuff in the next go-round of purchases.

[Amtmann]

Re: What Gear?????

I've seen more good impressions ruined by a bad hat than perhaps anything else. :(

[TeamsterPhil]

Re: What Gear?????

Some very wise men posted some advice about upgrading kit back in '99 & '00. Start with the most visible. Eyeglasses - either get good period frames, contacts, or go without. Your headgear - a bad hat can RUIN an impression. Your coat - it's the largest thing that that most people see. Your blanket - especially if you carry a blanket roll. I followed their advice and have seen others do the same. The key is to not stop there - the attitude is the MOST important thing to improve (as has been stated above) and continue to upgrade the rest of your gear as time and finances allow.

Phil Campbell
Still working on improvment -- it never ends.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: What Gear?????

Weight
Attitude
Knowledge
Cap/Hat

[Yellowhammer]

Re: What Gear?????

Different people have different ideas about first person but here are my 10 Rules of First Person (You may sound fanfare now!): :wink_smil

1- Use your common sense.

2- There are times first person is appropriate and times it's not and knowing the difference is the most important thing you'll learn about it. If I'm talking to the public at an educational event, I don't do first person. Most visitors find it intimidating and won't ask questions. First person works best in an immersive environment free of modern intrusions. Having a first person conversation while cars whiz by on a nearby road just seems counter-intuitive to me.

3- Be yourself as much as you can. I was born in Maryland and live in Northern Virginia. As such, I am most comfortable portraying soldiers from my region. I can tell you how fair it is from Manassas to Warrenton and that plant is jewel weed while that plant is poison sumac. When I have to portray soldiers from states that I'm really not intimately familiar with, I tend to...(see rule #4)

4- Be quiet. If I can't contribute to a conversation, I stay quiet. Silence is totally period. Remember, you're a soldier so you should be quiet a lot of the time anyway. (discipline and military courtesy.)

5- It takes everyone contributing to do good first person but only one person to ruin it. Don't be that guy.

6- Most of what you talk about on a daily basis is first person. Telling a comrade, "My feet hurt" or "I'm hungry" or "I hate the captain" is all period.

7- Avoid "Si Klegg-isms." IMHO, saying "Captain Jones is a martinette" is infinitely preferable to "Cap'n Jones hain't got enough sand to fill a rooster's craw do he pard?"

8- You got your shoes from the Quartermaster not Missouri Boot and Shoe. (Because someone always has to ask what vendor you bought something from.)

9- Adapt your life to your first person impression. Unless you are actually involved in the whaling industry or a whaling historian, it's probably best not to tell people you are a whaler. I work in an office in the real world so I am general a clerk. Farming is lot harder than you think. If somebody asks you to portray a farmer and you don't know a reaper from a thresher, refer to Rule #4.

10- If it ain't workin', it ain't workin' and there's nothing anyone can do about it.


To the first part of the question, here's my four:

Your library (Buy books general history, unit histories, diaries, memoirs, material culture, etc... and read them.)
Your research skills (If you come across a question in your reading, start digging for the answer. Who knows what you will come across!)
Your physical condition. (Training has the dual advantages of slimming you down and getting you ready for more physically challenging events.)

After that, worry about your gear. Getting the gear is easy. All you need is some good advice and a credit card. The other stuff takes years and is what seperates the best from the rest.