CIVIL WAR IN THE SOUTHWEST: CAVALRY GUIDELINES

Confederate: Army of New Mexico

Historical Re-EnactorsHistorical Re-Enactors

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

LonggunsPreferred
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 WeaponsPreferred
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 BlanketsPreferred
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 WeaponsPreferred 
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 BlanketsPreferred
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.

See Artillery Guidelines

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