""Typical" Fencing" Topic

I was wondering if anyone has done any research into the types of fencing used during this time. I've seen a few different examples and was wondering what most gamers use.
(I assume many use whatever is available but I'm tying to be as accurate as possible) Any input is greatly appreciated. (By the way I'm using 54mm scale)

All The King's Men produce some nice fencing at a reasonable price in 54mm.

link

Regarding research, Eric Sloane. I heartily recommend any of his books--"Reverence for Wood" is a good start,but they're all great,full of amazing drawings detailing early American fences,walls,buildings,tools,and just about any artifacts of the period.

A TMP search for "Fences" will bring up enough to keep you reading for several days.

That z-style fencing is pretty common in regions of VA.

I suspect it may have been more popular than other styles, since some areas of Northern and Western VA are pretty rocky, so difficult to dig post holes into.

Also, the availability and expense of nails back in the day may have been an issue too.

Given they've survived until the 20th/21st Century, I imagine there are reasons they are still used, and suspect they were probably more prevalent back in the day.

The top one shown in Terrement's posting is the type I usually saw when I lived back there, out in the country.

Remember as opposed to western Europe, wood was plentiful and labor was scarce and this was even more so as you moved west or south. So post & rail fencing (shown here with ATKM)might be found at, say, Lexington, Concord and Princeton, but as you go inland to Saratoga or south to Cowpens Guilford, you'll hit more of the "snake" fencing Terrement shows.

It can be important. On first day Gettysburg, the Iron Brigade can double-time into action with skirmishers dismantling snake fences before the formed troops reach them. On third day, Picket's people have to climb over post and rail fencing on either side of the pike, because it can't be knocked down quickly.

Yes I usually have separate AWI northern and southern militia, too. I'm like that.

Depends on where. In New England and upstate New York, you would most likely to see dry laid stone walls rather than fences. The stone comes up from the fields and has to be put somewhere – the edge of the field is the logical place.

My guide for Making Snake Fencing hope it helps.

Take care

Andy

Thanks for all the input. Plenty of options. I'm thinking I can't go wrong with any of these suggestions.

Snake rail, five rail, and stone wall. The wickered type fence was to keep animals out of gardens.

Note that snake rail fencing does not use posts in the ground. I am seeing people mix the two in their models, which is not correct. Snake rail is simply stacked, while the five rail fence (or less) does use a post and is straight.

historygamer,

Exactly! Many make this mistake in making snake rail fences such as womble67. The whole purpose of the snake rail fencing is to _NOT_ have to dig a hole for the upright posts, especially two of them for each interconnection. That's absurd and laborious.

Note that all of the 1:1-scale snake fencing that I have seen (and as I live in Virginia and tour frequently in the Carolinas I have seen plenty) has 90-degree joins for stability. So if you want to be completely realistic you need each section to join the next at a 90-degree angle.

Now this practice is of course wasteful of tabletop space so I myself certainly have cheated on the angles when making my fencing.

BTW I'm afraid that the product from ATKM shown in the original post does not match ANY actual prototype that I personally have ever seen.