Welcome to Company C, 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry: 

This short letter will give you the basic information regarding equipment you'll need once you have joined our Company.

 

Below is a list of required equipment you will need to be a self-contained reenactor.

Now, please do not be overwhelmed with the amount of equipment required.  If you have already reenacted with us, you know that we have loaner equipment that you can use for a limited time. 

Since our resources are limited, it is company policy that you are expected to purchase your own equipment in a timley manner.  Newcomers or "Fresh Fish" are first on the list to recieve loaner gear to help foster their interest in our hobby.  The longer you are in our group the less likely it is that loaner gear will be available for your use.  Purchasing of your own equipment shows your committment to the hobby.  The younger gentleman of limited income could drop hints to their parents for gifts on birthdays and Christmas.

The Rifle is the most expensive piece of equipment but used rifles are available if you look for them.  Other items are more affordable if purchased as part of a Uniform or Leathers Special from one of the online sutlers that will give you almost everything you need.  At the bottom of this page we have listed two examples of these specials with an approximate cost (do some comparison shopping) .  Also listed at the bottom are links to several of the sutlers that we have dealt with extensively and have been very pleased with the quality of the items we have purchased and service recieved.  At some of the bigger events there will be sutlers present selling their wares.  If you go online and do a search for "Civil War Sutlers"  you will find quite a few online retail outlets.  There are sutlers that have extremely inexpensive items for sale from overseas but usually the quality and fit is poor and sometimes there is a minimum order amount and excessive shipping costs that makes them prohibitive to patronize. 

Good quality used equipment is available both online and from the guys in camp, just talk to the guys at the next event or contact one of the Officers or NCOs listed our newsletter "The Monitor".