National Congress of Old West Shootists

Our purpose is to promote "safe Western Action Shooting including the re-enactment and promotion of the historical Old West heritage of the United States in all its ethnic, social and occupational diversity"

NCOWS    6820 University Ave, PMB 234    Cedar Falls IA 50613       Call 319-277-6839     

Creating the Outfit, Part I

The Basic Level

by Marlan J. Ingram

 I penned my first article for The Shootist back in 1998, and I've been submitting articles on a fairly regular basis since that time. One thing that I have repeatedly stressed is the need to first develop a Persona before trying to build an outfit. In addition, I've gone into detail concerning correct clothing, armament, and accouterments. Something that has just fairly recently become clear to me, however, is that not everyone is interested in taking their impression to the most extreme degree. I've found that participants in Western Action Shooting usually fall into one of three groups. The first group consists of those people who are concerned with making sure that all of their clothing, armament, and accouterments are basic recreations of what was available during the 19th century. This group is either at this level, or constantly striving to achieve this level. The second group is comprised of those individuals who will go so far as to pick a particular Persona, and will make efforts to insure that their outfit fits their PARTICULAR Persona and impression. The third group is comprised of folks like myself who take it to an extreme degree. We not only have a Persona, but we are concerned with correct materials, colors, stitching, buttons, button holes, etc., and even go so far as to try to have a correct patina to the entire impression, and that is just for starters.

 Having an understanding of these three levels of participation, I can now see clearly that a person at level three may actually seem somewhat intimidating to someone who is still working on level one. With this in mind, I want to first define each level, and then I want to address separate articles detailing what it will take a participant to achieve each level. The definitions for the three levels are as follows: 

Level 1: Basic ‑ Inhabitant of the Old West ‑ 1865‑1899

Level 2: Journeyman ‑ Specific Persona and Impression

Level 3: Master ‑ Advanced Living Historian. 

With this article, I would like to address the requirements for Level 1, which is the basic level. My feelings are that this is a good, solid goal for every NCOWS member to achieve. I honestly see no reason why each member should not be at this level. Here is a scenario: If a new member, either new to NCOWS, or new to Western Action Shooting itself said, "Hey, I'm new at this, and I haven't picked a persona or anything like that yet, but I want to make sure that all of my basic stuff for the era is correct. What do I need, and where do I get it?" The following is what I feel a participant needs to do to achieve the basic level. 

For clothing, you need four basic items. You need footwear, which should be square‑toed. If you KNOW that you want to do a later era, such as 1890s, you can go with round toe, but mind you that square toe was still in common use in the 1890s also, PLUS you can use square toe for earlier eras if you wish, so I would strongly recommend the purchase of square toe boots. Second, you will need a pair of trousers, which should NOT have zippers or belt loops. Instead, they should have suspender and fly buttons, with wool being the preferred material, although other materials are still acceptable. You will need a shirt, which should be of pullover construction, with buttons going about halfway down the front. Finally, you will need a hat, and the best advice I can give you is do NOT go to your favorite modern boot outfitter or country­western outfitter looking for a hat. Instead, you will want to start with something flat brimmed and opened crowned, until you can do further research and find a particular blocking (hat shape) that is historically correct, and works for you.

Once you have those items in place, you will need correct firearms. Colt Single Action Army revolvers are always a good choice. Uberti is the preferred manufacturer, and get bulls‑eye ejector heads if you can. Shortly, I will give you a short list of reference books which will help you better understand some of the nuances of early vs. late model Colts. You will need a rifle, and the 1873 Winchester is always a good choice, as is the 1866 Winchester. Once again, if you KNOW that you want to do 1890s, an 1892 Winchester is fine, but just like the boots, the 1873 Winchester was still in common usage in the 1890s. You will need a good shotgun, and a good double barrel would be my first choice. Once again, just like the boots and the 1873 Winchester, if you know that you wish to do an 1890s impression, then you can consider an 1887 Lever Action Shotgun, or even an 1897 pump. However, if you have not yet picked out a persona and/or a time frame, remember an early firearm or accouterment will still work for a later impression, but the reverse is not true. Purchasing an earlier style item may save you a little grief and money in the long run.

For your revolvers, you will need correct leather gear. If you have purchased Colt Single Action Army revolvers, then Mexican Loop holsters are the most popular way to carry them. Finally, to carry your ammo around at a match, I would recommend purchasing a pair of saddlebags. If you don't want to spring for those yet, something as simple as a canvas sack will suffice. Now, I've kept this very simple, and very basic. The idea is to purchase the basic items that you need, but without going overboard. The idea is to also purchase the RIGHT clothing, armament, and accouterments the first time, so that you don't later have to replace an incorrect item. For example, if you showed up at your first NCOWS event with your new Ruger Super Blackhawk revolvers and low slung fast draw rigs, you would very quickly find that you had made a mistake, and if you still wished to compete in NCOWS, you would now be faced with trying to sell those items (most likely at a loss) in order to get the correct items that you should have purchased in the first place.

 So, now that we know what we need for the basic level, where do we get it? This is where the new participant to Western Action Shooting is often tripped up. There are a LOT of outfitters willing to sell items with claims that their goods are authentic, but unless you know specifically what to look for, how do you know whose claims are legitimate? If you don't mind, let me help take the guess work out of it for you. In this article, and in the next two parts to this article in the next issues, I want to point out sutlers with whom I have had experience who I feel offer "the right stuff." For getting started, the one that I want to point the readers to is the River Junction Trade Co. (312 Main Street ‑ Box 275 ‑ McGregor, Iowa 52157 1‑866‑259‑9172). (See ad in this issue ‑ Ed.) I have had the chance to examine their goods first hand, and they are also very knowledgeable about what is correct for the pre‑ 1900 era that we wish to portray. Their catalog #6 should be available soon, but let me use their catalog #5 (out of print) to give examples of what the new participant should purchase.

 Boots (check online catalog): The online catalog gives several boot options, but the ones I would suggest are the Cavalry boots, and the cost is $270. Please keep in mind that if you purchase a good boot for starters, and take care of them, they can last you a lifetime. However, in the next two articles, I will list other sources of boots, some of which can dip below $200. For trousers, look on page 25 of River Junction catalog #5, or once again, check online. The trousers will cost from $59 to $74, which is a good price range. For a shirt, look on page 3 of the catalog. The one I would recommend is the one called the Frontier Shirt, and prices run from $34 (cotton) to $49.95 (wool). For a hat, go to page 35, and the one I would recommend is called The Scout. Purchase the Fur Felt hat for $120. Like the boots, a hat should last you a lifetime. For leather gear, I would turn to page 44 in the catalog, and purchase the Mexican Double Loop Holsters, which cost $34.95. Believe me, this is a Very good price. For a belt, I would purchase the 2 1/ 2" cartridge belt on page 45, which costs $44.95. Once again, this is a very good price, but if you want higher end leather gear, River Junction can supply that as well. Finally, there are some additional items you can purchase, although they are optional at this point. On page 8, they list vests, and I would suggest the Notched Lapel vest. On page 31, you can purchase the Narrow Tie, which costs $19.95, and on page 33, you can purchase the Canvas Suspenders, which will run you $15 bucks.

 Once again, this is simple, basic, and to the point. It tells you exactly what you need, and where to purchase it. Without picking a specific persona, it's hard to go beyond this and pick specialty items, but achieving a Level I impression is perfectly acceptable, in my opinion. However, anyone interested in the Old West will also want to study, and may eventually want to take their impression to the next level. With that in mind, what books should you study? When it comes to historical research, I actually have a fairly good library, but rather than recommend a truck load of books, these are the three books I would recommend for someone just embarking down this path: Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms. If it was used in the Old West, this book will have very good detail on it, including original production figures, finishes, etc. Next, I would suggest Packin' Iron. You have to put your firearms in some kind of leather, and Packin'Iron is the best one source study on the subject that I have ever seen. Finally, I would suggest The American Frontier, which will give you a lot of photos of original inhabitants of the Old West, from all walks of life.

 In parting, I would like to leave you with a couple of thoughts. First, if you have attended or participated in Civil War reenacting, you are aware of the extreme degree of historical accuracy that is part and parcel of the whole affair. How do they go so far as to get EACH individual to achieve such a high degree of accuracy? Simple. Each new participant is given a list of what they need, and is also given recommendations on what to purchase. In other words, the individual is not left "blind" but is given guidance from those who have gone before. This is exactly what I've tried to do with this article. (Editor's note: if you're a Civil War reenactor you already have almost everything you need to participate in NCOWS as a recently‑discharged soldier gone West.) Second, I want to tell you a funny little story. A couple of years ago, I got into Revolutionary War reenacting, but I actually met the group online, though their website. So, I was joining, WITHOUT them actually seeing me. Well, prior tojoining, I did INTENSE research, and I also listened to their recommendations concerning where to purchase items. The rest of my accouterments I made by hand, but followed original examples. Before I went to my first meeting with them, I had put together the ENTIRE outfit, down to the most minute detail. One of the members picked me up at my house to take me to the meeting, and had a chance to see my outfit first hand. Well, when he later introduced me to the head of the outfit (the Lieutenant) he told the Lieutenant that I had already purchased my gear. The Lieutenant then told me "Well, when you get into it a little more, let me know, and I will make you a cartridge pouch like this one." The member then told him, "No, I don't think you understand, he is finished, he has everything, and it's all correct." The Lieutenant then said, "Oh," and stood staring at me in surprise for a few moments. Why, you ask? Because a new participant to reenacting, especially serious reenacting, such as Civil or Rev War, is NOT expected to start out with a complete, advanced outfit.

 Just as it is with Rev War and Civil War, a new participant to Western Action Shooting is not expected to start out with an advanced outfit. Such is almost unheard of. There should be a basic, starting level of outfitting, and that is what I have tried to address with this article. For those who wish to take it further, however, we will address that in the next issue when we discuss the requirements for "Level 2: Journeyman Specific Persona and Impression."