I'am going to wait to join a unit first before I buy anything. But just an estimate on how much everything is going to cost?

Jimmy

The cost of the hobby depends on a couple of different factors.

1) How many impressions do you wish to have (Federal or Confederate only or both).
2) How authentic do you wish to get in your impressions.  The higher the quality of gear, the more the items will cost.

Something to keep in mind, in many cases the rifle will be the most expensive item out there.  And the going rate for an Enfield or Springfield (not defarbed) is about 600$.

Whichever unit you decide to join will probably have a list of sutlers they recommend.  The nice thing is that once you are past the initial startup cost, the hobby really isn't that expensive.

Once you get your base kit, you can then look to get more specialized items for certain events.  I have been working towards a civilian impression so this year I purchased a new coat and vest (300$).  So you equipment costs are reduced to any new items you might want and upkeep of existing items.

The yearly costs you will have will be expenses for events (registrations, gas, food).  Some of these can be reduced by carpooling and sharing meals with your messmates.  

One way to get good quality gear at affordable prices is to keep your eyes open on this forum and the AC forum for guys who are retiring or leaving the hobby.  You can usually pick up some good gear for a reduced price.

As always before you buy look to pictures of original or at originals to compare.

Greg has basically said it all....it all depends. If you can sew or know someone who does you can save money on the clothing. Specialized impressions are going to cost more...Zouave, Berdan Sharpshooter etc.

Thankyou lhsnj and Marc I appreciate it!

Jimmy,

We tell new recruits their basic kit will cost them about $1,500 dollars. That's with buying high end clothing and equipment.

BTW, you need to sign posts with your full name on this Forum.

Quote :

Bill wrote : Jimmy, We tell new recruits their basic kit will cost them about $1,500 dollars. That's with buying high end clothing and equipment. BTW, you need to sign posts with your full name on this Forum.

Excellent guide Bill.  When I first enlisted I got the required versus desired items for my unit and prepared a speadsheet with the item and then began checking out the various vendors based on those recommended by the our company and my available resources.

Amazingly, my estimate came in pretty much on target with what you've noted. After three years and a used Enfield purchased from someone leaving the hobby I've spent about $1,800...extra trousers, extra drawers, extra shirts, etc. were a great addition to my kit...for everyone.

Also, as stated, that's over 3 years with the help of loaner gear from the company enabling me to buy the absolute necessities immediately (it was amazing how tiny all the men before me were in the company and wore such small trousers!) and then begin buying gear to turn in the loaner stuff for other new fish.  Then I began to think about those things that weren't necessary but would be good to have.

As already hinted at, there's a lot of gear that looks neat, but is not necessary.  One of the hardest things for a new fellow to separate is the "needs" from the "wants".  My closet is full of "wants" that appeared to be "needs" when I bought them, only to become gatherers of dust.

Watch the used gear sales on the various forums, and take your time in accumulating items.

You certainly want to avoid what I did.  I (unknowingly at the time) bought a bunch of stuff of poorest quality.  In pretty short order it had to be replaced.  If you buy top of the line gear to begin with its replacement will be a longer time in arriving.  It is astonishing how quickly you can literally rub a hole in the crotch area of the sorrier trousers.  

Whatever it costs, if you like the hobby you'll end up spending more.  It's amazing how much stuff you've "got to have" after you get started...

Not that you need it.  I may have wasted money buying cr@p when I started out, but I've since spent several multiples of that on high-end stuff I didn't actually need.  Sometimes it seems like my whole life revolves around answering the question of just how many traveling inkstands one man can use

Which only goes to prove what I've said for a long time.....
Michael Schaffner is one sick puppy.    

--Last edited by flattop32355 on 2009-10-23 15:45:34 --

There is a rule for this hobby that is quite common; "He who has the most toys wins." Then one day you wake u, look in your closet and say to yourself, now when and why in the heck did I buy that?

My Better Half often correctly points out that I own more Civil War clothing than modern clothing. (That's not counting war surplus work clothing and hunting gear.)

Heck, I only need one modern suit, since I only do one modern impression! (Old retired guy.)  

Yeah, there are more hobby related clothing than others.  Complicating things in this household is a pre-Creek Indian war event that requires something other than Civil War clothing.  (It’s a perfect excuse to buy a flintlock.)  Outside of church, checking on an elderly parent three hours up the road, and occasionally shopping at a few local stores about the only other places I go are Civil War/hobby related.  Of course, my family can always convince me to run out to Dauphin Island.  My good wife will drop the retired old man off at Ft Gaines (or Ft Morgan) and ride the ferry across Mobile Bay to the outlet mall.  

I'm already saying...."why did I but that?" I ready to donate it all to my unit for some other new recriut. Poor lad

Eric G.