Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

[PvtHull48thovi]

Hello gents,

It has been quite a while since I have posted, or better yet been on the forum. Mainly due to work, and the girlfriend as such. My question is this, I was asked to be a second LT for an event a few weeks from now and my question is "would a federal officer wear an enlisted mans belt instead of his officers belt on campaign during late war?" The reason I am asking, is simply that I do not own an officers belt that actually fits. My fathers is rather large for my skinny stature, and I have no real other options than to just wear my enlisted belt with absolutely nothing on it. How authentic if at all would this be. The event is the portraying a battle in which was part of the Red River Campaign, Early 1864. Any help would be much Appreciated. Thanks in advance gents.

[rpierson]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

Sorry dude. I've never seen a photo of a Federal officer wearing an EM's waist belt & I've certainly never read an account of that. Could've happened, but lacking documentation you'd be taking a pretty big step in the wrong direction.

Good luck.

-Randall Pierson

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

A better bet would be portraying a recently promoted Sargent waiting for a chance to buy himself a uniform and trappings.

[Huck]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

Or just carry the sword and go beltless. This might be a better idea, see if someone can loan one out to you.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

Sorry dude. I've never seen a photo of a Federal officer wearing an EM's waist belt & I've certainly never read an account of that. Could've happened, but lacking documentation you'd be taking a pretty big step in the wrong direction.

Are you talking about an infantryman's belt, or an enlisted sword belt for a cavalryman?

Re: Recently-promoted sergeant - The LoC site has an image of a Federal company posed that features a leiutenant wearing an EM frock coat with lt. shoulder boards and the "ghost image" of first sergeant stripes on his sleaves. I'll have to see if I can dig it up.

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

I would love to see that photo!

I would enlarge your casting net for borrowing gear. At the least see about an NCO belt with sword hangers which can be purchased.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

Hallo!

For a one event gig... I would echo the very good advice (trying) to borrow the right swordbelt.

Often times, many times, the more "fiction' one tries to create, the greater the strain of a Believable Image. Or when making Leaps of Faith, one often falls in the chasm.

Officers have "latitude' as they NUG purchased their own kit, either by regulation or the strictness or laxness of the commanding officer. Going too extremely backwards can be an exception that can generally be too rare to be believeable (not that it could not have happened).

Other than that, a newly promoted sergeant not yet having access to officers' kit in the moment, or not having the cash yet...

Others' mileage will vary....

Curt

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

Thanks for all the info gents. Just thought I would ask around and see what type of advice I would get. I may end up just buying a nice one from Duvall Leather Work just so I could have it in the case that I end up doing an event as an officer in the future.

[rpierson]

Re: Late War Federal Officers sword belt?

Hallo!
Other than that, a newly promoted sergeant not yet having access to officers' kit in the moment, or not having the cash yet...

Curt

Agreed. Still, a fellow in that position would at least have an NCO belt or perhaps could have wrangled an EM's sword belt from one of the mounted services.

-Randall Pierson