Re: CS Jackets
I'll let the pic do the talking here. I can see what appear to be civilians mixed in, but some of the folks wearing what appear to be civilian coats are not as easily dismissed.
I tend to shy away from absolutes ("always" and "never") in anything, but it seems especially true for CS soldiers. I think all posts thus far have all agreed that military coats are the ideal for mid-war east and west. Existing photographs are a small fraction of the photographs taken during the war. Many if not most have been lost. Also, several photographs referenced are really better resources for looking at hats or how gear was carried. Most coats are almost totally obscured by blankets and gear, or blurred by poor resolution in the photograph. So, I find myself at the old question, "Is the absence of evidence evidence of absence?"
My earlier post on this thread was more of a reflection of questions I get frequently from cost-conscious guys wondering what coat they can get to do "everything". My answer is typically that no such beast exists, but that you can usually get two CS coats to serve you for >90% of events. During 2001-2006 or 2007, and still today, we see a lot of early war and pre-war militia muster events. Enough so that someone without a civilian coat might find themselves a little out in the cold. Hence, my recommendation for a civilian coat (to me a civilian coat at, say Sharpsburg, makes a bit more sense than a military frock for a civilian-militia impression).
If guys have the means to secure many coats for their CS impressions, then by all means, leave the civilian coat at home for Gettysburg! But the guys who own an RD jacket & CD jacket & SB frock & a civilian impression & an overshirt weren't really the target of my post.
Best Regards,
I'll let the pic do the talking here. I can see what appear to be civilians mixed in, but some of the folks wearing what appear to be civilian coats are not as easily dismissed.
I tend to shy away from absolutes ("always" and "never") in anything, but it seems especially true for CS soldiers. I think all posts thus far have all agreed that military coats are the ideal for mid-war east and west. Existing photographs are a small fraction of the photographs taken during the war. Many if not most have been lost. Also, several photographs referenced are really better resources for looking at hats or how gear was carried. Most coats are almost totally obscured by blankets and gear, or blurred by poor resolution in the photograph. So, I find myself at the old question, "Is the absence of evidence evidence of absence?"
My earlier post on this thread was more of a reflection of questions I get frequently from cost-conscious guys wondering what coat they can get to do "everything". My answer is typically that no such beast exists, but that you can usually get two CS coats to serve you for >90% of events. During 2001-2006 or 2007, and still today, we see a lot of early war and pre-war militia muster events. Enough so that someone without a civilian coat might find themselves a little out in the cold. Hence, my recommendation for a civilian coat (to me a civilian coat at, say Sharpsburg, makes a bit more sense than a military frock for a civilian-militia impression).
If guys have the means to secure many coats for their CS impressions, then by all means, leave the civilian coat at home for Gettysburg! But the guys who own an RD jacket & CD jacket & SB frock & a civilian impression & an overshirt weren't really the target of my post.
Best Regards,
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