Civil War Reenactor Gear

The gear for a Civil War impression: hats, belts, cap pouches, canteens and the small leather items that turn a uniform into a kit. The pieces here follow the federal and confederate patterns, and the materials are chosen to weather the way the originals did.

Start with the cap pouch and the belt, because those are what a soldier actually used with the gun, then add the headwear. A kepi that is the wrong shape for the year of the impression is the detail that judges notice first, so check the pattern against the event's standard before buying.

Reenactor Gear That Holds Up

Reenactment kit is judged at ten metres and in the rain. Leather that looks right on a table but has been chrome tanned will look wrong after one wet event, and a pressed metal buckle will lose its detail after a season of mud. Buy the pieces that touch the ground and the weather first, then fill in the small items.

Match the gear to the period you actually portray, not to the film you liked. A Civil War federal impression and a Confederate impression use different leather, different belt plates and different hats, and mixing them is the first thing a judge notices at an event.

Common questions

Is this gear historically accurate?
It is a reproduction in the style of the period, made for reenactment and display. For judged events, check the requirements of your unit before buying.

Can it be used in the rain?
Yes, leather and wool handle weather well if they are dried properly afterwards. Never pack gear away damp.

Do the belts fit over a coat?
Most belts are sized to be worn over a tunic. Order one size up if you regularly wear a heavy coat or gear layers.

Civil War Reenactor Gear