| Enlisted Mens' Outfits at the Battle of the Little Bighorn |
| The information on the next pages was taken from a number of sources and, in my opinion, is quite accurate as to what the enlisted troopers actually wore on the 1876 Sioux Campaign. Should you find any mistakes, please direct them to me at JEHeitland@yahoo.com, and I will look into the concerns immediately. This section was constructed to entertain and namely to help the aspiring re-enactor to accurately portray this fascinating time period. With your help, gentlemen, we can do just that... |
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| Aside from numerous documentaries and web sites, the information contained in the next five pages came primarily from the following sources: The U.S. Army in the West, 1870-1880 (Uniforms, Weapons, and Equipment)--McChristian Little Bighorn Battlefield--Official Park Handbook Boots & Saddles At the Little Bighorn--Hutchins Bugles, Banners, and Warbonnets |
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| The Battle of the Little Bighorn--Henckel U.S. Cavalry On the Plains, 1850-90--Katcher & Volstad OWS of Minn., Company G, 7th U.S. Cav. Web Site |
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| Contrary to popular Hollywood belief, the 1870's soldier was not all brass and polish, in fact they were anything but. Due to C.W. leftovers and the slow change-over time for soldiers in the west, the Sioux War saw the frontier regulars equipped with a variety of gear representing a mixture of parts and pieces of the 1860, 1872, and 1874 patterns. As the government discovered their need for updated and terrain appropriate gear for their soldiers, the troopers themselves were altering their present resources to better suit their needs. Thus, "official" frontier dress not only was different from regiment to regiment, but even from company to company, as some outposts received newly issued goods and others did not. Adding the fact that many soldiers did not cut their hair or shave for months, the frontier outposts were indeed represented by a very motley, un-uniformed, look as opposed to common beliefs. |
| Uniform: Fatigue Blouse (Coat) Preferred blouse is the 1874 pattern (left), 5 button, dark blue with branch color (yellow) cord trim on collar and cuff. Another option is the 1858 pattern blouse (C.W. sack coat), 4 button, dark blue, without trim (right). Finally, the pleated 1872 blouse is also acceptable. |
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| Uniform: Trousers Preferred trousers are the 1872 pattern (left), sky blue, mounted type trousers (essentially the same as C.W.). Other options include the 1861 (shown right with added white canvas saddle piece) and the 1876 patterns, in either mounted or foot types. |
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| Uniform: Shirt Shirts are to be of the pull over, long sleeve type. Many different options were available and are acceptable. Preferred shirt (shown left) is the 1874 pattern, gray wool with collar, no pockets. Another common option (shown right) is the 1883 pattern, dark blue, with collar and two pockets, then being issued on a trial basis. |
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| Uniform: Foot Gear (always black) Preferred foot gear is the 1872 pattern Cavalry boots. Optional boots include the 1876 pattern or period civilian pattern boots (left). Optional foot gear includes the Jefferson pattern brogans (right). |
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| Uniform: Head Gear 1872 pattern folding campaign hat (left). C.W./I.W. black slouch hats. 1876 pattern campaign hat. 1872 pattern Kepi or forage cap (right). (These were used in the garrison only) |
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| Uniform: Gauntlets Gauntlets are optional but recommended. Stick to the pictures featured here, seldom did enlisted men have fancy bead work, etc. on their gear. |
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| Uniform: Greatcoat Greatcoats are optional, but recommended. When used, it is to be of the 1876 pattern. This is identical to the C.W. sky blue, mounted type. Though somewhat uncommon, after 1871 a number of these garments were lined with the gray army blanket either officially or by the troopers themselves. After 1873, double caped coats also were seen occasionally, however it was not until 1879 that the branch color was added to the underside of the coats, making that irrelevant to our portrayal. |
| Accouterments: Spurs Spurs are to be the standard federal issue enlisted men's spurs (left). These are brass and come with a 19 inch black leather strap and brass buckle (right). |
| Accouterment: Carbine Sling Preferred carbine sling is the 1855 pattern (wide type) shown on the left. Optional carbine sling is the 1872 pattern (narrow type). |
| Accouterment: Holster (according to weapon) (all holsters are to be worn on the right side, in the butt forward position) 1861 pattern (C.W. type) (left). 1865 pattern (C.W. type with U.S. stamp). 1874 pattern (shown right). |
| Accouterment: Saber Belt / Cartridge Belt / Prairie Belt Preferred saber belt is the 1874 pattern with slings and hooks. The 1851 saber belt with slings and hooks is an alternate choice (bottom left). When using a saber belt, carbine cartridges are to be carried in either the 1874 Dyer box, the 1874 Hagner #2 box (left top) or the 1874 Hazen cartridge loops. Pistol ammunition is to be carried on the saber belt and the cartridge belts in the 1850 pattern cap box (left bottom). The preferred cartridge belt is the "christain" type made from the 1851 pattern sword belt with leather or canvas cartridge loops for carbine ammunition (below right). The 1876 pattern "prairie" belt made of canvas is another choice. |
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| Weapon: Revolver (pistol) Preferred revolver is the 1873 Colt 7 1/2 inch barrel, .45 caliber (top left). Optional revolvers include: 1873 Smith and Wesson Schofield 7 1/2 inch barrel, .45 caliber (middle left). 1860 Colt conversion to metallic ctg. 7 1/2 inch barrel, .38 or .45 caliber (bottom left). 1875 Remington Army 7 1/2 inch barrel, .45 caliber. |
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| Weapon: Carbine The preferred carbine is the 1873 pattern Springfield (trapdoor) .45/70 caliber (above). Optional carbines include the 1870 Sharps .45/70 caliber and the 1865 Spencer carbine. |
| Weapon: Saber (not used at the Little Bighorn) Sabers are an option, but recommended. When used sabers will be of the 1861 Light Cavalry pattern. |
| Weapon: Side Knife (no Bowies) The side knife is optional. When carried, the side knife should be a period style hunting knife with an authentic belt sheath. |
| Weapon: Ammunition "Belt Dummies" are to be used if cartridge belts are preferred. These include no primer or powder. Usually .45/70 for the carbine and .45 for the pistols are used. |
| Misc.: Suspenders / Neckerchief Period neckerchiefs are optional but were popular on the frontier. Suspenders were of cotton or elastic, usually white and in either the H, X, or Y pattern. The Y pattern was however the most prominent. |
| Misc.: Socks Socks were of wool or cotton, earth tones. |
| Misc.: Haversack Preferred haversack is the 1874 pattern tan canvas with U.S. stencil and leather strap. The optional haversack is the 1858, C.W., black painted canvas pattern. |
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| Misc.: Canteen (with either mounted or infantry strap) The preferred canteen is the 1858 pattern with the tan canvas cover and U.S. stencil (left). The optional canteen is the 1858 pattern (right) with the dark blue wool cover. |
| Misc.: Mess Kit Tin cup; a large, stout, army issue type tin cup (left). Period knife, fork (3 prong), and spoon (bottom right). 1874 Meat Can (same as 1914 WW1) (bottom left). A period tin plate (top right). |
| Misc.: Poncho Ponchos are optional but great for rainy weather and for making your bunk. A C.W. black poncho or gum blanket works great. |
| Misc.: Blanket (*) The preferred blanket is the 1851 pattern gray wool army blanket with the black end stripes (left). For use under the saddle the 1851 pattern navy and orange cavalry blanket was used (right). Additional blankets can include period quilts. |
| Misc.: Tent The preferred tent is the 1864 pattern shelter tent made up of two shelter halves. Optional end pieces can be added as well. Tent stakes were of the iron, "L" shaped variety. Supports were either 2x2's (garrison) or crude stick and rope combinations (field). In addition to this, both the wall tent and the Sibley tent were also highly used (mainly by officers however) during this time period (right). |
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| Chevrons (for NCOs) were attached to the blouse and great coat. These were of the 1872 pattern (lemon yellow). Stripes (for NCOs) again were light yellow. Sergeant's were 1 inch and Corporals wore 1/2 inch, both were worn from waistband to cuff. Saddle pieces were added at the trooper's discretion. These were usually white canvas flour bags sewn to the seat of the trousers and extending down the inside of the legs. Hat cords were available to soldiers, but were seldom used and/or quickly lost in the field. Hat insignia was of the 1872 pattern, stamped brass, crossed sabers, letters and numbers. |
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