Guiding Impressions
Company "A"
24th Missouri Infantry

Click here for a printable list of Impression Guidelines.(PDF)

In order to achieve the purpose to “Experience what they Experienced” It is strongly encouraged when looking for your Uniform & Equipment, to look for items that match originals. (IE if the original item was hand or machine made, so should the repro of that item.) Basically, “The Closer the accuracy of the item, the closer the experience one will have with it.”

All the material used in the reproductions are to be at a minimum, should be correct in pattern, made of the correct types of fabric (correct in content and weave), thread, buttons etc.

CLOTHING

SHIRT:
Shirts can be of the following.
A: 1851 Contract type shirt Wool Flannel Machine Sewn in solid colors, Gray, Blue, Red, Tan or Natural
B: U.S. Army Issue M1851 Domet Flannel, hand sewn.
C: Private Purchase Flannel Shirt, either hand sewn or period machine sewn.

CRAVAT, OPTIONAL:
A: Black Silk or Cotton, “Tie yourself type”
B: Black Silk or Cotton, “Pre tied type”

DRAWERS:
A: U.S. Issue, Canton or Domet Flannel hand sewn, or period contract machine sewn. (Marked with appropriate size in dots and Inspectors mark where appropriate.)
B: Private Purchase/Civilian, of period correct pattern & construction.

COAT:
(Lined or Unlined, Marked with appropriate size in dots and Inspectors mark where appropriate.)
A: M1858 Schuylkill Depot Sack Coat, hand sewn.
B: M1858 Government Contract Sack Coat, hand or machine sewn.
C: Volunteer Jacket (AKA “Ohio” or “Krause”Jacket)

TROUSERS:
A: Schuylkill Depot Trousers, hand sewn.
B: Government Contract Trousers, hand or machine sewn. 

SUSPENDERS: (Optional, if needed)
A: Suspenders of correct known period pattern.
B: Waist Belt of period type & style instead of suspenders.

OVERCOAT:
A: Schuylkill Depot Overcoat, hand sewn.
B: Government Contract Overcoat, hand or machine sewn. 

SOCKS, Wool
A: Military issue, wool, hand or machine knit.
B: Private Purchase, hand knit wool or cotton.  

SHOES: (Hobnails optional)
A: U.S. Army Issue “Jefferson” Bootee, with sewn soles
B: U.S. Army Issue “Jefferson” Bootee, with pegged soles.
C: Private Purchase Shoes or Boots. 

HAT: (to be worn if desired with minimal decoration, Brass numbers, OR Co Letter, AND/OR, Cords)
A: U.S. Issue M1858 “Hardee” Hat, to be formed to the wearers liking.

CAP: (Optional)
A: U.S. Issue Forage Cap, Type I (early pattern).

EQUIPMENT, ACCOUTREMENTS & WEAPONS

All weapons are to be clear of any non-period markings and are to have the correct arsenal marks on them if applicable. All accoutrements and equipage are to be of the proper type, & pattern. All Equipment & Accoutrements are to be made of the correct materials and have the correct hardware and are to be unmarked.

The Weapons issued to the 24th Missouri was a mixed lot of ENFILED and SPRINGFILED RIFLE MUSKETS. These should be void of all non period marks at a minimum, at a maximum totally defarbed

RIFLE MUSKET:
1853 Enfield Rifle Musket Type 2 or 3, de-farbed
1855 & 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket, de-farbed

CARTIDGE BOX: It is suggested that boxes should be unmarked.
A: U.S. P1857 (no rivets) Cartridge Box, .58 Cal. with tins, Unmarked.
B: U.S. P1861 (rivets on the belt loops) Cartridge Box, .58 Cal. with tins, Unmarked, (It is suggested that the ’61 box be of the Allegheny type. With narrow spaced belt loops.)

CARTIDGE BOX BELT: (Box Belts should be 64” long as per U.S. Regulations)
A: U.S. Cartridge Box Belt 2.25” Wide, 64” long made of Blackened White Buff, with “Breast Plate”.
B: U.S. Cartridge Box Belt 2.25” Wide, 64” long made of Black Waxed Flesh Leather, with “Breast Plate”.
C: U.S. Cartridge Box Belt 2.25” Wide, 64” long made of Black Bridal Leather, with “Breast Plate”.

CAP BOX: (Cap boxes should have wool on the interior and vent pick.)
A: U.S. P1850 Cap Box, Sewn, with out rivets on the belt loops.
B: U.S. P1850 Cap Box, Shield Front Variant, Sewn, with out rivets on the belt loops.

BAYONET:
A: P1853 Enfield Socket Bayonet, original.
B: P1853 Enfield Bayonet, Reproduction, with correct markings.

BAYONET SCABBARD:
A: U.S. P1857 Scabbard, With Blackened White Buff Frog, Sewn with no rivets.
B: U.S. P1857 Scabbard, With Blackened Wax or Bridal Leather Frog, Sewn with no rivets.
C: U.S. P1861 Scabbard, With Blackened Wax or Bridal Leather Frog, Sewn with two rivets re-enforcing the frog.

WAIST BELT (1): Waist Belts should have a U.S. with a “Puppy Paw” back, “Wire Back”, or a “Wide Set Arrow” back.
A: U.S. P1839 Waist Belt 1.9” wide with standing leather loop on end, made of Blackened White Buff Leather.
B: U.S. P1850 Waist Belt 1.9” wide with standing leather loop on end, made of Black Wax Flesh Leather.
C: U.S. P1850 Waist Belt 1.9” wide with standing leather loop on end, made of Black Bridal Leather.
 
CAMP EQUIPAGE
ALL camp equipment is to be of correct make and materials. It is strongly suggested & encouraged that they be made according to existing originals and research.

HAVERSACK:
A: M1851 Haversack with liner bag.

CANTEEN:
A: M1858 “Smooth Side” Canteen with Cover of appropriate materiel and leather strap.

TIN CUP: Tin Cup can be with or with out bail.
A: Issue type tin cup made of Tined Sheet Iron or Sheet Steel, to be of appropriate period construction.

TIN PLATE:
A: Tin Plate of appropriate known period pattern should be able to fit in haversack.

SILVERWARE:
A: Original Fork & Spoon.
B: Reproduction Fork & Spoon of correct period pattern.
C: Pocket Knife Combination Knife Fork & Spoon, of correct period pattern copied from original.

FRYING PAN: Should be carried 1 per every 3-5 men
A: Frying pan made of sheet steel or sheet iron, of period construction with handle riveted to pan body

KNAPSACK:
A: U.S. Early Pattern, M1853/55 “Double Bag” Knapsack.

BLANKET:
A: U.S. Issue M1851 Gray Wool Blanket with Black End Stripes, and “US” Either stitched in center or Stenciled.

PAINTED / OIL CLOTH GROUND CLOTH:
A: US P1861 Rubber Blanket
B: Private Purchase Rubber, Painted Cloth or Oil Cloth Ground Sheet

PERSONAL ITEMS:
ALL personal items are to be copied from original items and are to be made of the correct materials.
Items suggested to carry are:
Pocket Knife
Wallet or Change Purse
Tobacco Pouch & Pipe (or papers)
Flint & Steel or Period Matches 

HANDKERCHIEF: (OPTIONAL) (Handkerchiefs are to be of a size not exceeding 36” X 36”, of a period Pattern or Print Material).
A: Hand Sewn from home
B: Machine Sewn from a Mercantile or Post Sutler.

TOWEL: (OPTIONAL)
A: To be made out of either Huck Toweling or other suitable period cotton or linen fabric, can be either hand or machine sewn.

RAZOR: (OPTIONAL)
A: To be of Correct period Straight Razor Pattern with handle of either Bone, Hard Rubber, Horn or Wood.

TOOTH BRUSH:
A: To be of correct pattern with Natural Hair Bristles ( Hog or Horse Hair), with handle of Bone.

EYEWEAR:
ALL eyewear is to be of correct style and pattern, ABSOLUTLY NO MODERN EYEWEAR IS PERMITTED. 
A: Original Frames with prescription.
 B: Do without for a weekend. 

MEDICATIONS, CAR KEYS, ETC.
Each member of the company is permitted to have a “Farb Bag” this bag is to be a poke or ration bag not to exceed 6” X 6” in size. This bag is for any medications, car keys, disposable camera, etc. IT IS SUGGESTED as far as medications go, that each member invests in a small pocket tin to act as a “pill box” to keep any pills or tablets in. It is a period alternative to the farb bag.