3.0 ACCOUTREMENTS AND CAMP EQUIPMENT
NOTE: "Accoutrements" included the cartridge box
and sling, waistbelt, cap pouch, and bayonet scabbard. "Camp
equipment" includes the haversack, canteen, and knapsack.
NOTE: All accoutrements should be worn at the proper height.
The waist-belt shall be worn about the center of the stomach (over
the navel). Cartridge Box slings came in only one length, and
when this sling is used, you will want to adjust the billets so
that the top of the box rides just below the bottom edge of the
waist-belt. Haversack and canteen straps shall be the proper length,
so that the top of the haversack and canteen are approximately
equal with the elbow. If necessary, straps shall be shortened
for the haversack (cut and sewn shorter), and canteen (knotted
up or cut-and-sewn). If a knapsack is used, it is recommended
that the canteen strap be over the knapsack straps to facilitate
both drinking and refilling the canteen while on the march.
3.1 Haversack
- A. U.S. Issue Haversack:
Painted (black) canvas with buckle and inner canvas bag. Closure
buckle shall be japanned, painted black steel, or unfinished
iron; nickel-plated and stainless steel buckles are not allowed.
The buckle should be on a leather strap preferably fastened to
the haversack with rivets (rivets are correct for New York Depot
haversacks). Maximum size of the haversack shall be 12 inches
by 12 inches. Straps on period haversacks were generally approximately
42 inches in length. [EOG/US pages 199, 210, 211]
B. Items carried in the haversack
should be period correct. Note that modern blue/red bandanas
sold by most sutlers are incorrect and are forbidden. The haversack
was intended to carry food; personal items should largely be
carried in the knapsack.
C. Items in the haversack
should be carried in small cotton or muslin "poke bags"
with drawstrings or wrapped in period-style newspaper.
D. Haversacks will generally
not be worn at dress parade, modern parades, etc.
E. Tinware should be hitched
to the outside of the haversack only when there is insufficient
room for mess gear within the haversack.
F. Commissioned Officer Haversack:
Commissioned officers may use either an enlisted haversack or
an officer haversack. Officer haversack shall be either patent
or dyed leather with adjustable leather strap, or painted canvas.
[EOG/US page 201]
3.2 Canteen
- A. U.S. Issue Model 1858
(Smoothside), New York or Schuylkill Depot pattern: Tin-plated
sheet iron oblate spheroid canteen with three strap keepers.
One keeper may have a punched hole (to hold the cork attachment)
per New York Depot canteen specifications; only canteens issued
by the New York Depot had this hole. Corrugated canteen bodies
(i.e. "bullseye" canteens) were issued only by the
Schuylkill Depot and after mid-1862.
B. Cover: Canteens shall
have a gray or brown colored cover of jean or satinette. Although
original canteens exist with kersey covers, they were uncommon
and are therefore grossly over-represented in today's reenacting
world; they are therefore strongly discouraged.
C. Strap: Straps should be
white cotton drilling, approximately ¾-inch wide and 72
inches in length. New York Depot canteens often used the same
drill that was used to fabricate shelter tents, with a visible
twill weave. The Schuylkill Arsenal usually used twill tape after
1862. In August 1862, the New York and Schuylkill arsenals discontinued
use of leather canteen straps, although some leather straps remained
in use in the field until at least the summer of 1863. Leather
canteen straps should be russet-colored (brown), ½-inch
wide with a buckle closure. Leather canteen straps shall not
be used for impressions after summer of 1863.
D. Cork: Should be secured
with tin-plated iron chain (correct for New York Depot canteens)
or string. [EOG/US pages 198, 206, 207]
E. Stainless steel canteens
are allowed, but the spout shall be pewter or tin; stainless
steel shall never be visible.
F. It is preferred that canteens
be unadorned by superfluous decorations or identification. Most
marked canteens, particularly after the early-war period, include
only the owner's stenciled initials.
3.3 Cartridge Box and Side-arm Accoutrements
- A. Black leather M1861
cartridge box for 0.58 caliber muzzle loading rifles, with leather
sling. Cartridge box must be equipped with tins. Sling must have
a brass eagle breastplate, and be made in the regulation length
of 55 inches with two narrow 5 ½" long billets. The
most common method of factory attaching the breastplate to the
strap was to bend the loops over on the inside, without use of
ties, wedges, etc. The cartridge box should have a brass plate
reading "US" (state designations, such as "SNY"
or "OVM", are not acceptable for brass plates) commonly
attached with a leather "wedge" in the visual center
of the box flap. [EOG/US page 203, bottom]
B. Pistol Box: Shall be worn
only by commissioned officers that elect to carry side-arms.
Pistol box shall be black leather and shall have two belt loops
sewn or riveted to the backside of the pistol box.
C. Pistol Holster: Shall
be worn only by commissioned officers that elect to carry side-arms.
Holster shall be black leather, with one belt loop riveted or
sewn to the holster. Holster should have a brass closure. Preferred
(common) holster is right side, butt forward (presumably, in
battle an officer would have a sword in the right hand, and would
therefore draw the pistol with the left hand from the right hip),
although other holster configurations are also acceptable. [EOG/US
page 201]
3.4 Cap Pouch
- Black leather cap pouch, M1855, with inner flap, cone pick
loop and sheepskin liner. [EOG/US page 202]
3.5 Waistbelt and Belt Plate
- A. Federal-issue black-dyed
(not painted) leather waistbelt with standing leather loop keeper
is preferred. The brass keeper is acceptable but not preferred.
(Note: brass keepers were not the rule before the end of 1863
or early 1864; the standing loop belt is far more common until
1864). Minimum width of waist-belt shall be 1-7/8 inches; maximum
width shall be 2 inches.
B. Brass belt plate should
read "US" (not, "SNY" or "OVM")
and preferably be lead-filled (not resin-filled). [EOG/US page
202] "Snake head" hooks (now called "arrow hooks")
to attach the plate to the belt were introduced relatively late
in the war. Up to the beginning of 1863, the "puppy paw"
or "mushroom head" studs were typical.
C. NCOs may wear the Federal
non-commissioned officer waist-belt with rectangular eagle plate
closure. Belt shall be dyed black leather approximately 1¾
inches wide. The belt length shall be adjustable by means of
a brass hook, and shall include a leather keeper. Buckle-closure
shall be a brass rectangle with eagle insignia and hook to mate
with the brass eye at opposite end of belt.
D. Commissioned Officer Sword
Belt: Officer's sword belts were black-dyed, brown, black patent
leather, maroon, and embroidered cloth. All of the following
dimensions are given as a guide only, because original sword
belts have significant variations. Members are advised to copy
an existing original that has a documented provenance. Sword
belt for commissioned officers should be approximately 1-5/8
inches wide. Belt length should be adjustable by means of a brass
buckle, and should include a leather keeper. Buckle-closure may
be a brass rectangle with eagle insignia and hook to mate with
the brass eye at opposite end of belt. Belt should include two
square brass loops each approximately 1½ inches by 1½
inches, each fastened to the belt with two pieces of leather
reinforcing sewn to the belt. Belt should include two 1-inch
wide leather straps looped through the brass loops and secured
with removable brass rivets. Each strap shall have a brass swivel
snap (note: there are no known accurate reproduction swivel snaps;
Members are encouraged to use original swivel snaps if available).
The belt should have a 1-inch wide adjustable baldric (shoulder
strap) with leather keeper and brass closure hook; the baldric
may be removed at the officers' discretion. [EOG/US page 200]
3.6 Bayonet and Scabbard
- A. Scabbard: Acceptable
scabbards patterns include the two rivet and the seven rivet
types. Two-rivet pattern scabbards are preferred because they
are an earlier-war pattern and were typical until the seven-rivet
pattern was distributed starting in the spring of 1863. Both
patterns were constructed of black-dyed (not painted) leather.
DO NOT buy a two-piece English scabbard/frog. All scabbards shall
be equipped with a brass tip for safety considerations; this
tip should be attached to the scabbard body with from two to
four small brass or copper brads. [EOG/US page 202]
B. Bayonet: Carbon steel
bayonet correct for the weapon. Bayonet shall have a locking
ring. Members should replace the reproduction locking-ring on
their bayonet with an original locking ring. Remove the "INDIA"
stamp from the bayonet with a file and emery cloth. Either leave
this area blank or stamp in the letters "US". Sharpening
of bayonets is expressly prohibited. Best results (durability)
will be obtained through use of an original bayonet.
3.7 Knapsack
- A. Federal Issue Double
Bag Knapsack: Painted (black) canvas or drilling with black-dyed
(not painted) leather straps, mid-war pattern. Closure buckles
shall be japanned, painted black steel, or unfinished iron; nickel-plated
and stainless steel buckles are not allowed. Hooks shall be brass.
[EOG/US page 213]
B. Members are allowed to
utilize blanket rolls ("mule collars") in lieu of knapsacks.
C. "Hardpack" knapsacks
and wood frames inserted into the double-bag knapsacks are discouraged
unless specifically condoned for an event. These pieces of equipment
were early-war items and their use in post-1862 scenarios is
generally incorrect.
D. Unless specifically dictated
otherwise by the scenario, members are highly encouraged to wear
knapsacks ("full marching order") to all marches, battles,
and demonstrations where the 122nd is portraying soldiers on
campaign. Knapsacks may or may not be worn when soldiers are
detailed to guard duty (depending on the scenario); wearing of
knapsacks is never required when actually posted as a sentinel.
E. Packing of knapsacks for
an event shall be as light as possible. Pack only what you can
carry on a march of at least five hours. A knapsack is generally
packed too heavy if it weighs more than 14 lbs. fully loaded,
including the blanket, gum blanket, and shelter half.
F. Knapsacks are not appropriate
at dress parade, modern-day parades, and ceremonies.
3.8 Rifle Straps
- Rifle Straps: Members may choose to equip their rifles with
straps (also known today as, "slings"). Rifle straps
should be russet leather, 46 inches long and 1-1/8 inches wide.
A cast or sheet-brass hook should be sewn and riveted to one
end. All loops to be sewn construction, with no staples or rivets
used in the construction or attachment. The English-pattern strap
for the Enfield was issued with a frequency similar to that of
the other English accoutrements and therefore is incorrect for
the typical U.S. impression. Enfield rifle-muskets should be
fitted with a U.S.-pattern strap with an extra hole or two added.
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