Author Topic: Rough Riders Uniform on a budget....  (Read 12229 times)

Offline Major Matt Lewis

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Rough Riders Uniform on a budget....
« on: February 04, 2006, 03:56:22 PM »
A Seargent of the Rough Riders....and on a budget...Not so difficult.  Probably can do the clothing for around $200.  I will send you a lot of links to surf through and a few pictures.  I also recommend 2 very good books for research and references...The first is JC Stewart's Cowboys in  Uniform and the second is Brassy's Uniforms of the Spanish American War.  Both Good Stuff.  Just so you know, I like to dress as a Spanish American War Marine, being a former Marine and all.  A lot of the clothing is very similar, that is how I can speak on the subject, plus, American Victorian Era Military History, so I have uniforms from the Civil War through the Boxer Rebellion...
 
That being said, the first place I would like to refer you is to Coon Creek Old West...
 
http://www.cooncreekoldwest.com/frampage.htm?  Then click the Spanish American War Link.  Remember, you can get as authentic as you want....
 
The Tan Campaign Hat is only $59.00.  This is the one that I use.  It looks the part, but is not completely authentic because it does not have the snowflake style heat vent.  If you want the real deal, try Dirty Billy's Hats (http://www.dirtybillyshats.com/).  They will sell you one for a mear...$125.  You will also be able to pick up all the hat accourtaments (Hat Cords and such) very reasonably at Coon Creek.  Se the Website.  You will also want to pick up a Cavalry Cross Sabers and your regiment number to place above the bow on the left side of your hat...
 
Ok, so the next thing you will need is a blouse.  At Coon Creek, they run for $55.00.  Not a bad deal. 
 
The Trousers and Leggings are next.  They both run for $55.00 each.  So that being said, there is the basic uniform.  Now, let's take this to the next level.  The wore something on their feet, right?  Yes, and that was the 1892 Combat Shoe.  The only place in the country that I found, that makes these are the Missouri Boot & Shoe company.  They do GREAT Work.  http://missouribootandshoe.tripod.com/  You will need to call them.  I believe I paid $200 or so for mine.  That's a size 13 too. 
 
The next website I will give you is the one for The Quartermasters Shop.  These guys make GREAT stuff, but you do pay for it.  They have made a number of things for me...http://www.quartermastershop.com/.  Now, you can get all of your stripes Not only jacket stripes (Historically NOT worn on shirts, regardless of what Hollywood says) but Trouse stripes too, badges or buttons too. 
 
Later, you may be looking for the 1884 Canvas Fatigue Blouse.  That runs for about $133 with all the buttons and stripes sewn on.  The Trousers go for $134 with the stripe sewn on.  I personally recommend getting the trousers from Coon Creek and the dark lemon yellow stripe from Coon Creek for $20.  They will sell you just the stripe and you can have it sewn on.
 
So we have covered Hat, Blouse, Fatigue Blouse, Shirt, Trousers, Boots and Leggings.  Historically speaking, a Sergeant would have had a Mills Belt (Canvas Belt with a US buckle) with bullet loops for the .30-40 Krag rifle.  In all likelihood, the belt would have been died blue.  The pistol holster was the but forward 1881 US issue holster.  I will leave it up to you as to whether or not you want to shoot SASS with a flap holster, but if you don't, there is a guy who will make you something very close at a reasonable price.  He is Trailrider and he has done well for me in the past.  http://www.gunfighter.com/trailrider/tr_holster.html  He is also extremely knowledgeable on military leather of the period. 
 
For panash I purchased an Indian Wars Canteen, it gets hot shooting in Kansas, and a Spanish American War Haversack from Coon Creek also...
Major Matt Lewis
Grand Army of the Frontier * SASS Life * NCOWS * Powder Creek Cowboys * Free State Ranges * RO II * NRA Life * Man on the Edge

 

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