| Private Matter | 31 Aug 2009 5:55 a.m. PST |
This is actually a two part question with the first concerning Perry Miniatures' ACW plastic cavalry.. First: I am looking for examples of how people attached the carbines to the figures. (i.e., placement, angle, etc.) Second: I am looking for examples of paint schemes for union cavalry in the period covering 1864 to 1870. I have the Troiani's Civil War Cavalry and Artillery but I am looking for examples that can satisfy two periods at the same time; ACW Skirmish and Wild West Skirmish. |
 Murphy  | 31 Aug 2009 6:08 a.m. PST |
US Cavalry from 164-1870 changed very little due to the enormous amount of surplus items left over from the War of Yankee Aggression.
A good description of the lack of standardization among weapons, uniforms, etc can be found in the Osprey Warrior Series Book "US Cavalryman 1865-1890" You really do not see any REAL significant changes to US Cavalry until around 1872-1873, with the beginnings of standardized weaponry, and some minor uniform changes…and even then it was a slow process… |
Frederick  | 31 Aug 2009 7:49 a.m. PST |
As Murphy says, US Cavalry for the decade after the Civil War were pretty much the same as during For Wild West Skirmish, they would make more use of a broad-brimmed hat than a kepi – although kepis were still worn on occasion in the field (apparently some were worn by 7th Cav at Little Big Horn) – the yellow-trimmed jacket was not commonly worn in the field, either – mind you, in the Civil War it was not all that common in the Western Theatre either |
 Extra Crispy | 31 Aug 2009 8:49 a.m. PST |
And I'm sure you meant to say "forage cap" and not kepi! the "kepi" is a hard sided hat. The forage cap is like a kepi with bad posture (owing to the soft sides). |
| Grizwald | 31 Aug 2009 9:24 a.m. PST |
"And I'm sure you meant to say "forage cap" and not kepi! the "kepi" is a hard sided hat. The forage cap is like a kepi with bad posture (owing to the soft sides)." Er, the headgear worn mainly by the Federals in the ACW was also referred to as a kepi, wasn't it?
link link
link |
| Frederick | 31 Aug 2009 10:36 a.m. PST |
A kepi is technially a hat with a flat circular top and a visor – by convention, the hat we now call is kepi is exactly as described, with hard sides – however, in the ACW and Franco-Prussian war the kepi had soft sides – the inner stiffening that gives it the hard-sided appearance was first used by the French in 1900 |
| RockyRusso | 31 Aug 2009 10:59 a.m. PST |
Hi I use ACW figs for the old west because, mostly, I have trouble seeing the differences ON FIGS. In our rules, I do make a distinction in the technology as it evolved, but not really the figs. Someone geekier than I am actually tested original carbines, where what I own is more limited, and pretty much as shooters, there isn't a lot of difference in performance. All seem to shoot at about 4 MOA(my trapdoor does 2). The issue between muzzle, rimfire and centerfire is more important to me. I am TOYING with an extra rule. As a small boy, I was living next to a ranch owned by some souix outside of Cheyenne, And when we played, we would go places by jumping on a pony, streaking somewhere and getting off. So, years later I found shooting from horse back versus a ground snap shot to be no different. HOWEVER, I recently watched footage of R.Lee Earmy shooting from horseback and he had no idea how to not bounce around. So, I am thinking, something for a skirmish approach, of a scene more out of the John Wayne movie where the raw troopers need to learn to ride and so on. And having a small roll based on the rider's experience. I had read about this in books like "Forty Miles a Day on Beans and Hay"…but seeing it was different. Rocky |
| avidgamer | 31 Aug 2009 12:29 p.m. PST |
The carbines carried during the ACW could be clipped to a carbine sling. The sling was worn over one shoulder, across the body. The Kepi and Forage cap are easily different if you see them in person. They are constructed differently and are not generic terms for the same thing. The Unwashed usually mix this up. ;) |
| avidgamer | 31 Aug 2009 12:33 p.m. PST |
The second link that Mike Snorbens posted clearly shows the difference between the two. The third link is total farby rubbish. The first link has mixed them up in the title. Shame on them. |
| tonantius | 31 Aug 2009 3:53 p.m. PST |
"40 Miles a Day on Beans and Hay" I remember that book! It was in the Lincoln, Nebraska main downtown library in the 1969-1972 time frame. Larry |
| Murphy | 01 Sep 2009 5:13 a.m. PST |
As for the difference between Kepis and Forage Caps, ("Bummers"), McDowells, etc… Go to this site: dirtybillyshats.com And click on 19th Century and Civil War… There ya go. |
| Grand Duke Natokina | 05 Sep 2009 9:41 p.m. PST |
Also, the carbine sling could be hung over the back--not very comfortable--so you wouldn't trip over it walking along dismounted.
Natokina. |
takes another stab at building a more perfect flight stand.
