my husband and i each have new brogans and boots. what is the best way to make these last as long as possible? waterproof them? please...let me know! thanks!

I use a leather softner on them at the start and end of the season.  Also you will want to store them so they don't dry up and crack.

If they get wet dry them slowly away from heat, never warm em up by the fire. Use a quality leather conditioner (Pecards is my personal favorite) to keep the leather supple and somewhat water proof. Use boot blackening regularly (soldiers were exected to use it when possible) and trust me after marching down a dusty road they will look campaign ready in no time at an event even if you keep them blackened. Heel plates will help extend the life of the heels and if you like hob nails will prolong the soles (I use heel plates but not hob nails as I like to have some control over my feet when I walk on indoor surfaces in them). Although I do not use them, some people swear by shoe trees when in storage.

thanks! where do you find the conditioner and blackening?

have heel plates, came with them already there.

Dulcie,

Please sign your full name to your posts. You can set up an auto signiture.

Thanks  

These folks sell a complete line of footware care products. I use 'em and swear by them, not at them.

http://www.missouribootandshoe.com/index.asp

You can also check with whoever you purchased your boots from as well, in addition these items can be found at almost any event. I can also echo Missouri Boot and Shoe as they are my preferred vendor for footwear.

Oh and a dirty little secret........boot blackening is glorified shoe polish......i.e. it's in a period tin.  

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2007-03-30 15:49:24 --

just out of curiosity...why full name? sometimes its just not safe.

why couldnt i have known about missouri boot and shoe when i lived in mo? isnt that the way it goes.

thanks for the help!

Dulcie,

The full name helps weed out many udesirable "trolls" as by putting your name on the post makes you think more about what you say. Also it helps to know who you may be talking to, If I could I would even have my picture up as I do on the other forums if only I could figure out how to do so here. Bear in mind that once you reenact for a while, you will get to know most of the people on the boards. It's a standard rule both here and on the Authentic Campaigner. The real danger comes with more personal information such as address, SSN, etc which is not required nor should be. Although you have a rather unique name I'm sure there is somebody else out thesre somewhere with the same name. It's really no different than your name being in the local paper or in a high school yearbook.

I hope I asm not being too presumptious but it sounds like you are rather new to the hobby. If I may be so forward as to offer a piece of advice and that is to get a mentor who can help you avoid making costly mistakes in purchasing wrong items or just plain junk items. There are vendors who will sell you just about anything and swear it is "period correct", we're just not too sure which period they refer to.  

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2007-03-31 20:28:37 --

thanks. i do have a unique name which is one reason i bothers me.

yes, we are new to the hobby. we lived in missouri and there was nothing there, nowheres. but now we live in pennsylvania and there is more here though not as much as we want, but we can still drive. i do have help... before i buy anything i ask the guy in charge of the local group (well an hr and a half away) and he has led me in some directions also. i just hate bugging him for every little thing (as in brogan care!).

i also have help with making sure all the sewing i do is period correct as are the patterns... i am sewing my clothing, along with the children to help with the cost...learning a lot throughout, hopefully i can offer my sewing services soon to help pay for this

Robert, I sent you an email about your avatar.

lets see if i cant figure out the avatar thing.

okay... got it figured out... now you can have my full name and my picture

Wow! A pretty lady with a pretty smile amongst all us ugly men!

Nice to have you here Dulcie.

aww well..now im blushing. thank you

Dulcie,

If you are living in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, I'd suggest you plan to visit the Neshaminy event, held the last weekend in April. There are usually a good number of high quality sutlers in attendance.  

we are in central pa... a little under 4 hrs.

we are still working on getting my husband all his stuff (let me rephase that... i am still working on it). no canteen yet. or rifle. oh and we have no clue what we are doing what

we just may have to come as spectators though.

oh and ken... ugly or not theres something about a man in a uniform...

Dulcie,

Unless your unit requires something else, IMHO the M-1861 Springfield is the best choice as a first weapon. The Regimental Quartermaster will be at Neshaminy and he's a good source for weapons. I'm a firm believer in buying firearms in person. The quality control on these things is pretty bad, so it's a good idea to see what you are buying! If you come to Neshaminy, I'll hook you up with a "gun nut" to help with your purchase.

If you want to go with a defarbed firearm, that's another story and opinions abound.

ill see if we can make it. friday my husband is the complete opposite direction, so the kiddos and i may come alone, not sure yet.

our unit wants 1861 springfield or 1853 enfield.  ive done a bunch of bartering to get the money up for clothes, so it may take me a bit to barter up enough money for the rifle!