Civil War Reenactment & Reproductions

A Guide to Civil War Reenactment Gear and Reproductions

Every year, communities all over the East Coast get together to watch reenactments of Civil War battles fought in their areas. Participants include "troops" from both sides of the conflict as well as drummers, buglers, and women who supported the soldiers. Dress requires authentic reproductions, and eBay sells a realistic selection of clothes and accessories needed to give the reenactment an authentic feel.

New and used Civil War reenactment clothing includes everything from belt buckles and boots to uniforms and hats. Choices include a lined wool Civil War Confederate greatcoat with CSA buttons, a CSA wool infantry shell jacket, and campaigners quality federal issue drawers. Homespun striped and checked shirts and cotton denim trousers make up a uniform for enlisted men. Other used Civil War reenactment gear for sale includes items like these:

• Unlined Union navy wool sack coat
• Suspenders made of leather and canvas
• Union wool army officer general's frock coat
• Four-button off-white muslin shirt
• Union officer rank chevrons for reenactment uniform

Reenactment gear goes far beyond mere uniforms. Accessories include hats, boots, suspenders, belts, bags, reproduction buttons, and pouches. From sword belts with Eagle buckles to stainless canteens and tin cup mugs, gear on eBay has the details and quality to make history come to life. There are even haversack field packs, Springfield muskets, and hatbands of black and gold.

Historically correct shoes and boots replicate the styles worn by soldiers in the Civil War and include hand-forged heel plates, cavalry kneecap black leather boots, and leather brogans. There's even a pair of black leather lace-ups for civilians, boot blacking for shoes and boots, and wool gaiters leggings spats.

Women took part in the Civil War, and they participate in reenactments with accessories like roll-up pouches for housewives, eyelet-trimmed day caps, and cotton day dresses. Whether it's a skirt with hoop, a cotton dress with a white apron, or an 1860s feathered hat, women can express their own sense of style in reproduction clothing from eBay. They can also choose accessories like black or red purses with gold stitching, knitted wool shawls, and calico bonnets.

Reenactors use real guns with a full charge of powder but no bullets, and some men carry swords, bowie knives, rifles, or revolvers. Besides overcoats and other special uniform pieces, the team also needs tents, cooking gear, trumpets, drums, and other equipment to set up camp.