Question regarding accoutrements

[cairnsy44]

I admit to being brand new and probably over-eager to acquire as much gear as possible. One of the first items I acquired secondhand was a cartridge box and sling. It looks pretty good in terms of wear, nice and broken in. It fits me well too. The question I have is my unit is Union and the sling is natural in color, not black like all the ones I have seen. In hindsight, I think I have a Confederate sling with a Union box. No brass. I asked one person in the unit but he didn't think it was much of an issue. I have not seen this instances of this being correct but wanted to be sure. Thanks for your advice.

Mike Cairns

[Jimmayo]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

May want to consider dying the outside of the sling black. Don't dye the inside as some dyes will transfer to your jacket. Don't ever recollect seeing an original Union sling undyed and unable to look at Paul Johnson's book at the moment.

[cairnsy44]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

Jim, any advice on how to do that? Thanks!

Mike Cairns

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

Mike, I would recommend doing this with iron dye. It is the same method that was used during the period. It's also worth mentioning that you can make it for $5 or less.
The finest steel wool you can get and apple cider vinegar is all you need.

Try a youtube search. It will yield the results you are looking for.

[cairnsy44]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

Brilliant! Thank you so much!

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

Hallo!

Just a quick "warning."

"Iron dye" sometimes does not work well on post-tannery leather, especially that which was later oiled to make it (so-called) "russet" in color.

Due to the oils in the leather, dyeing attempts often makes uneven splotches or just dyes to gray rather than black.

The Ordnance Manual called for the cartridge box belt to be black(ened). Off the top of my head I cannot recall any instance of natural or oiled being substituted (except IIRC, for Hemlock tanned straps/belts on some knapsacks?).

In brief and to over-generalize a bit... the Confederates often opted to omit shoulder belts on cartridge boxes especially as tanned leather became scarcer and was better used for other things such as waist belts, etc. IMHO, having no shoulder belt or dyeing the top side black to conform more to the appearance of say an CS Ordnance Dept. battlefield pick-up recycle....) is a better way to go.

Curt
Curt

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

Good call Curt, I totally forgot about that.

[cairnsy44]

Re: Question regarding accoutrements

Though I am portraying a Yank, so it should be black. I have a newer black strap, but it's really stiff and shiny. I guess I just like the old tan one better if I could make it black.