CIVIL WAR IN THE SOUTHWEST: CAVALRY GUIDELINES
Confederate: 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
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
Knives & Bladed Weapons: Preferred
Bowie
“D” Guard Bowie
Lances
Period Belt Knives
Period Sabers (mostly officers)
Bayonets for military long arms
Saddles: Preferred
Model 1859 McClellan
Grimsley
Hope
Jenifer
Plantation
Mexican (Southwestern)
Saddle Blankets: Preferred
Natural material (fiber) blanket
Military style blanket
Modern saddle pads must be hidden under the blanket.
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.
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
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)
Saddles: Preferred
Model 1859 McClellan
Grimsley
Hope
Jenifer
Mexican (Southwestern)
Plantation (Officers only)
Saddle Blankets: Preferred
Natural material (fiber) blanket
Military style blanket
Modern saddle pads must be hidden under the blanket.
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.