Civil War in the Southwest:
Cavalry Standards

OHV AmbassadorsConfederate: Army of New Mexico

Uniforms:
No “Grey or Butternut” enlisted men’s uniforms. Only officers wore Confederate Uniforms.

Hats
Broad brimmed felt or straw
Union forage caps
Wheel caps
Hardee hats
Period civilian hats

Coats & Jackets
Captured Federal sack coats or shell jackets  (very common)
Mexican War surplus clothing
Civilian sack or frock coats (very common)

Shirts
Civilian Shirts – made from cotton, wool, muslin, or appropriate period material.
“Battle” overshirt
Federal issue shirts

Trousers
Civilian Pattern – made from appropriate materials – wool, corduroy, cotton duck, jeans cloth (wool-cotton blend)
Federal issue Trousers (very common)
Mexican style vaquero trousers

Footwear
Military brogans or boots
Civilian shoes or boots 

Accoutrements
Captured Federal equipment: cartridge boxes, canteens, haversacks, belts, cap pouches, and bayonets.
Belt knife
Mexican War surplus equipment
Civilian / homemade equipment

Longguns: Preferred
1855 Springfield’s
1842 Springfield’s 
1841 Springfield’s   
1816 Conversions (Conversion of Flintlock Muskets)
1855 Colt Revolving Rifles 
1859 Sharps Carbine/Rifles
Double Barrel Percussion Shotguns
Single Barrel Percussion Shotguns
1847 Musketoons
Civilian Period Rifles
Plains Rifles (Hawken Style)
Austrian Lorenz’s

Longguns: Acceptable
1861 Springfield’s  
Enfield’s 

Longguns: Unacceptable  
1863 Springfield’s
1863 Sharps Carbine/Rifles
Zouave Rifles   
Spencer Carbine/Rifles
Any Confederate copy of a Federal Musket

Handguns: Preferred
1842 Springfield’s
1851 Colt Navy’s
1855 Colt Root Revolvers
Colt Dragoons 
1849 Colt’s
1848 Colt’s
1858 Starr DA Revolvers 
Single-Shot Pistol’s
Pepperbox’s

Handguns: Acceptable
1860 Colt Army
Colt Walker’s (rare)
Colt Paterson’s (rare)
Whitney Revolvers

Handguns: Unacceptable
Brass Frame Revolvers
Ruger Old Armys
LeMat Revolvers
Metallic Conversions of Percussion Revolvers
Rogers & Spencer Revolvers
1863 Starr SA Revolvers

Knives & Bladed Weapons: Preferred
Bowie
“D” Guard Bowie
Lances
Period Belt Knives
Period Sabers (mostly officers)
Bayonets for military long arms

Knives & Bladed Weapons: Unacceptable
Modern Knives 

Saddles: Preferred        
Model 1859 McClellan 
Grimsley 
Hope
Jenifer
Plantation
Mexican (Southwestern)

Saddles: Unacceptable   
Post-1859 McClellan   
Modern Saddles     
Modern Western Saddle

Saddle Blankets: Preferred
Natural material (fiber) blanket
Military style blanket
Modern saddle pads must be hidden under the blanket.

Saddle Blankets: Unacceptable
Schabraques
Modern saddle blankets

Tack (Bridles, Reins, Bits & Tie Downs): Preferred
Military Styles prior to 1862
Civilian Styles prior to 1862  

Tack (Bridles, Reins, Bits & Tie Downs): Acceptable
Modern materials. Note: synthetics must appear period looking, for example, no neon colors.

Tack (Bridles, Reins, Bits & Tie Downs): Unacceptable
No modern Halters
No modern saddlebags

Federal: California, Colorado & New Mexico Volunteers

Uniforms
Almost all of the troops wore the standard Federal issue uniforms.

Hats
Hardee hats
Union forage caps
Broad brimmed felt or straw hats

Coats & Jackets
Sack coat or shell jacket (round-about)

Shirts
Federal issue shirts
Civilian Shirts- made from cotton, wool, muslin, or appropriate period material.

Trousers
Federal issue trousers (mounded or dismounted)

Footwear
Military brogans or boots
Civilian shoes or boots (officers)

Accoutrements
Federal issue equipment: cartridge boxes, canteens, haversacks, belts, cap pouches, carbine sling, & belt knife (optional)

Handguns: Preferred
1842 Springfield’s
1851 Colt Navy’s
Colt Dragoons 
1855 Springfield’s
1858 Starr SA Revolvers                                 

Handguns: Acceptable
1860 Colt Army
Whitney Revolvers

Handguns: Unacceptable
Brass Frame Revolvers
Ruger Old Armys
LeMat Revolvers
Metallic Conversions of Percussion Revolvers
Rogers & Spencer Revolvers
1863 DA Starr Revolvers

Note: Officers purchased their own side arms, anything manufactured before early 1862 is acceptable.

Knives & Bladed Weapons: Preferred
Period Belt Knives
Period Sabers: Models 1840 & 1860 (Officers, & most enlisted men)

Knives & Bladed Weapons: Unacceptable
Modern Knives

Saddles: Preferred                 
Model 1859 McClellan
Grimsley
Hope
Jenifer
Mexican (Southwestern)
Plantation (Officers only)

Saddles: Unacceptable
Post-1859 McClellan
Modern Saddles
Modern Western Saddle

Saddle Blankets: Preferred
Natural material (fiber) blanket
Military style blanket
Modern saddle pads must be hidden under the blanket.

Saddle Blankets: Unacceptable
Schabraques
Modern saddle blankets

Tack (Bridles, Reins, Bits & Tie Downs): Preferred
Military Styles prior to 1862
Civilian Styles prior to 1862    

Tack (Bridles, Reins, Bits & Tie Downs): Acceptable
Modern materials. Note: synthetics must appear period looking, for example, no neon colors.                  

Tack (Bridles, Reins, Bits & Tie Downs): Unacceptable
No modern Halters
No modern saddlebag

Any questions, please contact:
Christopher DeMille, Re-enactor Liaison
phone: (520) 586-4117
Email: cdemille(at)azstateparks.gov

See Artillery Standards
See Clothing Standards
See Battle Weapon Standards

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