I've been looking into Org's to join so I can spend more time with people interestd in the same things that I'm interested in. ie; 1750 to 1799. Some of the Org's I have spoke to want to be so precise that they made it clear that my clothing has to accurate, even down to the thread count, or they are not interested in my membership. That they do actually count the threads in a garment befor they will approve it for wear. Is it just me, or is this a little too much.

That would have to be a personal choice. Any time one joins an organization, he is commiting to follow their rules and standards. That does not mean that the org is right, or wrong. It just means thats the way they want things, and if you are not prepared to commit, then you should not join.

There are a variety of groups with a variety of standards/rules. You ought to be able to find one that you can abide. Many reenactors/living historians get pretty serious about the hobby [some make a living with it] and alot of folks that start out as pilgrims eventually 'see the light' and get more serious about what seems trivial at first. It is a journey, not a destination as the song goes. My own segment of the journey has me with pretty darn accurate gear such as guns and accoutrements, but my clothing [which is made in period correct style and material]still has hidden machine stitches. My shirt(s), for example is linen of proper type, but has machine seams. For Civil War this is OK as the sewing machine was invented prior to it--not OK for 18th cent. A noted expert on period clothing was once asked how to best duplicate the fine 18th cent hand stitching and is reported to have said "use a machine". For me at my stage of the journey, hidden machine stitches are OK but the material must be correct and the style correct. I cannot sew and hand sewn clothes are too pricey--for me it is no big deal. Some groups are pretty picky about that--I stay away from them if they are too snotty. Many will accomodate you as you learn and 'advance'. Don't get turned off by the few snobs. Most folks are willing to accept you and advise you.

Both of your answers are correct. I belong to the Jefferson County Longrifles. We are period correct in style and accutaments. But not to the point of thread counting. We get visitors from all over the country to come to out 'vous. You can't turn them away because there thread count is wrong. I visited one club, every time I turned around I was inspected and critisized for my gear. I was made to feel most unwelcome in a very unpolite way. It seems to me that being that "picky" takes all the fun out of reenacting and fosters a "keeping up with the Jonses atmosphere". I understand that if you join a club, you have to play by thier rules. My question was,,,,Is that type of attitude a little too much?

It depends on what you want out of the hobby. Absolute accuracy in everything; as accurate as you can manage(and afford); or throw on something that maybe looks close to period, pick up your T/C Hawken gun, and go have fun shooting.
You find a club to suit your style and needs. If you like serious re-enacting, then you do everything with documentation(and let them count the number of threads).
Did that for a while; too many arguments, nowhere near enuf discussions.

the problem is that we [no-one knows] do not know EVERYTHING about everything in the 18th cent [or name your period--it gets alot easier by the mid 19th cent]. so there is always some argument about clothes and gear details--such as the origin and early style of the "hunting shirt", use of bullet blocks and short starters,etc. fact is almost ALL of the reenactors who count stitches are toting guns made with modern alloys, methods and machines. To get a totally handmade rifle made the old way would cost 10s of thousands of dollars--and almost ALL reenactors cannot afford one. My rifle is correct style but like my shirt has machine made parts--why get so het up about machine stitches when you tote a rifle with machine made parts? I don't know, but the stitch counters get all huffy when I bring it up---like it does not count....?????

Hey Mike,
I love your point. You hit the nail right on the head.
I Love It.

You're asking if an opinion is wrong? I know of several organizations that require high scholarship to be members, SAR, DAR, and ALRA. You cannot ask "are they right" or "are they over-the-top"..., that presupposes that your or my opinion of where the "top" is located is correct.

My answer to such situations is vote with your feet. If I don't like the approach, I leave, and I don't come back. You can do the same thing, and you can do it with dollars, by not renewing a membership or not joining.

Frequently I get asked "is this period correct" and then folks get angry when I demonstrate that something is not. What they seem to miss is two things..., first, I always tell folks "based on the sources..., which means there is always room to change if new information comes to light. Second, the person asked if something was period correct, NOT "can I carry and use this?" Often I find folks who react as though I had said "don't use that", AS IF i had such authority.

Finally, one can often demonstrate something or use an item, that isn't very "correct", with a simple phrase or two of, "We don't know of this is how they did it but..., " or "We can't find any reference to this item, but..., " when talking to the public.

You should (imho) pick a pastime that is fun. There are all sorts of levels in our community of black powder enthusiasts. There's the folks who just like to shoot, and other than their rifle or gun, they do nothing else. There are the folks who like to do various forms of camping, wearing period look alike costumes. There are those who do "primitive camping" to a point, and use proper materials (when they can afford them or have the time to fashion them), and there are those that want to be able to take advantage of that time machine (when it's perfected) to journey back and blend without anybody noticing.

LD

Well stated LD, from start to finish.

I just like to shoot/hunt the old way. I'm lost when it comes to most of the other topics here. However, I do like reading about them.

LD is correct. One example: I reenact 1740s/50s "french marine" at a local fort in Louisiana. Early on we had alot of folks [troops and habitants] wearing neck knives. But there was a discussion of whether or not they were appropriate--sure enough there is literature on their wear in Canadian areas of nouvelle France, but noone could cite a Louisiana example--in fact there are alot of things difficult to document in french Louisiana of the same period as french 'Canada'. So, most of us quit wearing neck knives just because we were not sure that Canadian customs existed down here. THEN, low and behold someone found a period reference to a marine wearing a neck knife in Louisiana![Bossu]. But most of us have not gone back to them--OK, a few habitants do. Latest flap is over Canadian 'oxhide shoes' being down here--fact is there was alot of contact between Canadian french and Louisiana french. But documentation in the strict sense is tough on many items.

Colonial Riflesmith,
I am in both the SAR and the ALRA. SAR is a descendants organization and if you don't have the descendants, I can't help you there. But I have been in the American Long Rifle Association (ALRA) for about five years and can discuss some of the finer points off list if you like...contact me via my email profile if you want.

In general, the ALRA want a person to pick a persona and time period, then get equipment that THAT person would have based on their station in life, location and time period (i.e. no half stock plains rifles in the 1750s...). Clothing has to be appropriate materials and style, but I think machine sewing is ok.

You are right in the thick of the ALRA's time period--1750-1815. Here's a link to the requirements.
http://www.longrifle.org/forum...wtopic.php?f=11&t=19

Colonial Riflesmith,

You might consider contacting the NE Governor for the Coalition of Historical Trekkers (COHT).

Bryan Nye
1153 Roush Rd.
Hummelstown, PA 17036
ne-gov@coht.org

And you can check out the COHT web page at http://www.coht.org/

Medicine Soldier

Thanks Sparks and MS. I'll contact them.

Mike R's point is excellent. We don't really know everything that happened 'back then'. And, often those who think they know everything are way off track. When we started this reenactment business many-many years ago, we had occasion to go to the Museum of Natural History in Chicago. I took my camera and tripod and photographed a great many of the indian exhibits. My wife made herself a dress based on one of those pictures. It was 'stitched' with a series of thong knots up the side, just like the original.
At our first 'vous a woman came up to her and said, "That's wrong. They didn't do it like that." Since then my attitude has been 'ignore them', do yer own thing and just try to do your best.
Frank

As for your question I don't think it is "to much" a group can set whatever standards they wish if someone thinks it is not to their likeing they can opt not to get involved.

Rifleman 1776, Great Post!

WRM

quote:

Originally posted by WIND RIVER MAN:
Rifleman 1776, Great Post!

WRM

Thanks. Stress has no place in a 'vous.

I am paraphrasing this, so bear with me. Nessmuk: "...we do not go back into the woods to rough it. We go to recover from the harshness of modern life. I have had a Tulle for about fifteen that I hunt waterfowl and turkeys with.

Rich

In the 18th C. I could not exist... I have Diabetes, and M.S. I've had a stroke and 2 heart attacks, and the titanium plates that hold my arm together SURE ain't P.C. .......LOL

I think you would have more fun (I know I would) with a group thats not so nit picky. Sometimes thread counters can take the fun and comradery out of a thing. Find a group of happy fun loving people who want to get it right and have a good time while they are at it

P