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Welcome to the home page of the Holmes Brigade, USV, Inc. A Premier Civil War Federal Infantry Living History Organization
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Bayonet "Bayonet
should be the socket-type, made for your musket and should slope to the right (lock plate)
side of the musket when affixed." (Hodge) Avoid purchasing reproduction bayonets
through the mail. If you have a reproduction bayonet made in India consider having the
`India' marking polished off and replacing the locking ring. Lodgewood
Mfg. Dixie
Gun Works Regimental
Quartermaster Levi
Ledbetter S
& S Firearms Fall
Creek Sutler Canteen "The
model 1858 regulation `smoothside' canteen and it's `corrugated' variant are both very
acceptable. Do not purchase the oversized canteen commonly seen in sutler's stores, and
avoid the stainless steel canteens. This canteen should have a ring on top of the cork
seal and a pewter spout. Canteens may be left uncovered or covered in wool or jean of dark
blue, gray or brown. Avoid sky blue covers, as these are overly represented in reenacting
when compared to actual Civil War use." (Bully Boys)
"Up until the winter of 1863, 6' russet leather straps were
being issued to the army, then switched to cloth because of the lack of durability found
in the leather straps. Corrugated canteens were not issued with chains, but rather with a
piece of twine." (Hodge) C & D Jarnagin "Reasonable
reproduction of Pattern of 1858 smoothside canteen. Be sure to specify pewter spout
(although some canteens provided at the St. Louis Arsenal had tin spouts.) Appearance is
greatly improved by replacing the existing cover with a brownish-gray cover of linen/wool
from County
Cloth or Family Heirloom Weavers or leaving the canteen
uncovered. Sling should be sized to correct length. Replace
jack chain with string. Avoid corrugated or `bullseye' pattern, as research suggested that
the majority of canteens available from the St.Louis and Cincinnati western depots were
Pattern of 1858 smoothsides. Jarnigan will provide a brown cover, string,
and will not punch a hole for a jack chain if requested." (24th
Mich) Uriah
Clothiers
(Paul Smith) "Makes
excellent canteens. Correct in every detail. Hand-dyed walnut cover, string for cork
attachment, correct sling. He only makes a few runs of these a year. Call and ask him if
he is accepting orders, if you are interested."
(W.B.) Levi
Ledbetter "Smoothside
and bullseye variants, available at events. Note: Historic Clothiers offers an excellent
regulation leather canteen sling."
(Bully Boys) Knapsack "The
best choice is the M1855 `double bag' soft pack. Beware of the oversized packs many
sutlers sell. Original double bags are relatively small, with the main bag being closed
with four flaps and two buckles and the other `envelope-type' bag being closed with two
rawhide ties. Proper buckles
and hook are mandatory. Straps should be short and made with
medium weight leather. Finish work should be sewn by hand even when the major seams are
machine done. Bag should be painted black with correct-type paint, based in boiled linseed
oil." (Bully Boys) Artifakes
(Don Rademacher) "U.S.
issue double bag knapsack with hand felled seams, all leather handsewn. Excellent....
Everyone should have a high quality knapsack." (W.B.)
Missouri
Boot & Shoe (Robert Serio) "Federal
double-bag knapsack featuring imported Belgian linen, partially machine sewn, with all
visible stitching sewn by hand. Correct hardware crafted to specifications with correct
wire gauge on the larger roller buckles. Leather straps are correctly chain-stitched
on." (24th Mich) Sam
Haywood Knapsacks
"Excellent
quality replica knapsacks. A bit pricey, but his products are extremely well made and very
durable." (24th Mich) C
& D Jarnagin " `Old reliable' that is well made." (24th Mich) Mike
Thompson "Mike
makes a good federal double bag." (24th Mich) ReproOriginals
"Very
good `double-bag' patterned from original." (Bully Boys) Historic
Clothiers (Nick
Sekela) Owens
Accouterments (James Owens) |