Model Company

[robby7084]

A friend and I were talking the other day about the idea of a model company for some events. This comapny would be held to the highest authenticity standards in uniform, drill, and military bearing. It would also have an open invite for anyone to fall in providing they meet the requirements. We'd only do one event per year and would have plenty of time to assemble an impression. So my question is would there be any interest in this?

Robby Schorr

[Spinster]

I believe if you'll contact user PMB1861, Peter Berezuk, you'll find that this is being done in your geographic area.


There are others throughout the country.

[huntdaw]

It's done quite a bit actually at a variety of events.

[robby7084]

I think I need to clearify just a bit. I know there are many progressive units out there that have raised the bar on authenticity, I've been a part of a few of them. What I'm suggesting is going even beyond that in terms of our research and impressions. Hopefully this doesn't come across as arrogant but in most impressions there is always something that can be made better or more accurate myself included. By that I mean uniform patterns even those drafted from original garments are altered to fit the needs of the maker or to speed the process of manufacturing. We would strictly adhere to the original patterns per the original producer of the piece. For example a typical "SA" sack coat purchased over the counter is made with the same basic pattern as any other sack coat just with some hand top stitching. We would use a patter that we have copied from one at the Smithsonian and it would be entirely hand stitched as per originals. In this model comapny anyone wearing anything less would not be able to take the field with us. That same thought process would be used for every aspect of the impression uniforms, drill, and military bearing. Again this type of venture wouldn't be closed to all except a few there would be an open invitaion to anyone who wants to undertake the challenge. Again please don't take this as me thinking I'm the greatest I'm far from it, I've been in the hobby for a number of years and this idea sounded like a next step to me. Thank you both for your response and information.

Robby Schorr

[akcampaigner]

It has been attempted a couple of times, that I know of, with varying degrees of success. There appear to be three major issues: numbers, money, and research.

The first one is simple, if you make strict standards of age, drill, and impression your numbers shrink down greatly. Not that is necessarily bad, but is a fact when dealing with such a proposition.

The money comes in depending on the regiment, but even a perfect kit for a "standard" regiment might put you back $500-$1,000. On the Confederate side it could even be more expensive.

Lastly, research is often subject to both interpretation and rationality. For example, if the regiment you desire to portray receives jackets from Georgia (no other details) what jackets did they really receive? Were these Columbus Depot, Atlanta Depot, Georgia State jackets, and etc. Which ones do you accept, which ones do you declare as farby.

There are also times where accounts contradict one another in regards to the condition of troops or even the written descriptions contradict photographic evidence (prime example is the Sharpsburg Campaign of 1862).

Pete, is also correct with some of the other issues at hand.

I love the idea of such a company, just stating issues that I have come across in the past when trying to organize such a unit.

All the best,

Andrew

[Spinster]

Andrew touches on the Organizer's Dilemma--the cost of a specialty impression can cut out some of the very best men.

The reality is that organizing a group for a specific one time impression involves a great deal of handholding and cheer leading to get and keep everyone on board.

So, part of what I'm asking here is How are you going to balance this effort?

How do you keep your ultra sewing effort from being like one in recent experience? The men looked correct, no doubt. The uniforms were well researched, and executed right down to the appropriate level of wear for that point in the war. The men were, if not all appropriate age, at least within a range of reason. And many of them were unable to complete the march they were involved with and had to be trucked out, wheeling past the mere mortals who trudged on in the mud.

What makes the model company, the model company? Is it the guys who ate the same rations and marched the same ground to completion, but may have been older, heavier, and wearing an excellent but more generic uniform? Or is it the guys in the best gear?

[skamikaze]

Already did it. 15th Iowa at Shiloh is gonna be tough to beat.


We tend to call these "adjuncts," and they happen quite a bit.

[Spinster]

Just think Eric,

The same unit infrastructure with a different impression overlay gets to do it again at Chickamauga. Confederate flys are a lot easier to set up than Sibleys.

Think y'all can go over 600 men?

[PMB1861]

Missus Lawson, your words of praise are too kind.

Reading the latest reply makes me recall the Man-Method-Material triad and the last thing this hobby needs is another group of posuers who have great kits and look great in the pictures but are so wrapped up in themselves they can't make it through 100 degree heat to do the job they set out to do, they spend all their time comparing notes of where they bought their uniforms and they don't know the difference between a green coffee bean and a split pea.

Me, I'll take gents like those that crossed Charleston Harbor at night into the teeth of a gale, learned to form company by Scott's in a snow flurry and will pull a loaded wagon up a hill after marching for the last three over all the perfect hand-sewn garment clad dandies this world can provide.

Now the above is arrogance and I don't care who it offends.

[robby7084]

Mr. Berezuk I think you may have taken me the wrong way I'm not promoting for lack of better terms a sham and glam group, nor am I asking to compare what has or hasn't been done in the past. This was simply a question of interest in an idea. My idea of a great event would be doing the things you described but also having a kit that was as close to 100% as our current research allows. Considering that we have never had the pleasure of meeting any assumption of my intentions is complete speculation, but since we seem to both be of the same mind set I would be more than happy to make your aquaintance. Also I haven't yet learned Scotts infantry tactics as well as I would like and since you have learned it I'd love to pick your brain. Thanks for your response.

Robby Schorr