as in... first yr you should have the uniform, second yr the rifle and leathers and so on...

i have found that dh wont be able to do any reenactments until the third yr of that list. and even then camping is still iffie...

why is that? i know the lists are by unit, but dont most units put out a list?

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chatrbug wrote : as in... first yr you should have the uniform, second yr the rifle and leathers and so on...

Dulcie,

Think Loaner Gear! Most units have it to give out to "Fresh Fish".

our unit has yet to offer anything. they started in 2003 so i wonder if they do have any? and theres no other group in the area. okay..not part of the unit yet... have to go to a few events first then they vote to have us in.

My unit gave me a two part list.  What I had to have for year one and it was everything that was required to get me into the field as a private.

Part two was for second year acquisition and was those extras that you should have (like a greatcoat and frockcoat for parades).

Mybe its the unit you belong to?

Dulcie,

My very first unit was 3 hours away when I started. Still do not have a local unit as my 2nd USSS is basically the East Coast Area and my 83rd unit is Central PA with most fellows from South Central.

If the local unit is not to your liking or correctness, shop around..go to some events and living histories as a spectator and see what the unit is like.

oh no, i love the unit we are joining. it is a mainstream unit, but thats fine with me. i was just asking a question. they may have loaners but are waiting to actually meet us in person before anything is offered, i dont know. right now all we are in need of is a canteen... (and whatever goes into the rifle to make it go.. can you tell im gun stupid?).  other than that we are fine, well we will have the rifle on saturday.

at this point we are going to stay mainstream because our children are young and i want them to enjoy it, im afraid anything more would be shock on them (and perhaps me and the man too!).

Dulcie,

Does your unit have some point of contact? If so, get in touch and let them know exactly what you still need. That way you can find out what is available. If there are guys in the unit who've been in the Hobby a while, they have stuff to loan. Trust me!  

thanks bill..ill do that. we are basically only in need of a canteen at this point, but its a pretty used item! well at least for this trip (they have stuff to loan us for when we are there...dishes and the such).

They should also be willing to appoint you a mentor to help you get kitted out and to advise you as to what events will be appropriate for your family and which ones won't.

Dulcie,

I concur. Call your contact with your unit, if they are organized enough to call themselves a unit they should have some loaner gear. Bear in mind often the loaner gear is simply extra gear others in the group may have. My mainstream unit has enough loaner gear to get two or three folks out at any given time (complete with shooting iron). We also have enogh members with extra gear that we can accomodate a number of people if ncecessary. I often take a near complete extra kit just in case someone brings a friend who wants to try out our little hobby.

Also I know this is the mainstream folder, but still don't fear the darkside. As a civilian reenactor you and your kids will probably not suffer too much shock. Kids are naturals, once they start playing with period toys such as stick horses, tag, ets they are automatically in 1st person. I know your husband really wants to do the military impression but there are often events that can allow both (you will just be doing different things and not be "together").

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toptimlrd wrote : Dulcie, I concur. Call your contact with your unit, if they are organized enough to call themselves a unit they should have some loaner gear. Bear in mind often the loaner gear is simply extra gear others in the group may have. My mainstream unit has enough loaner gear to get two or three folks out at any given time (complete with shooting iron). We also have enogh members with extra gear that we can accomodate a number of people if ncecessary. I often take a near complete extra kit just in case someone brings a friend who wants to try out our little hobby. Also I know this is the mainstream folder, but still don't fear the darkside. As a civilian reenactor you and your kids will probably not suffer too much shock. Kids are naturals, once they start playing with period toys such as stick horses, tag, ets they are automatically in 1st person. I know your husband really wants to do the military impression but there are often events that can allow both (you will just be doing different things and not be "together").

I agree here.. our unit has enough loaner gear to kit out 4 soldiers for an event.

The best thing to do is find out if your unit has a QM or do they have to round up gear from others?  We have a unit QM who stores and logs the gear as it is given out and returned.  But in order for him to know what is needed people need to contact him and ask for it.  Our by-laws also give prefernce to a guest of the unit over a member of the unit in borrowing loaner gear.  This helps to encourage members to get their own stuff rather than use the company gear infinitly..