White Leathers

[Pemde12]

Whats the chance of any Civil War soldier wearing white leathers? I have been looking around and cant find anything on this but yet a suttlery sales them. Could any of you possibly help me?

[marktaylor]

Many early war images show the use of buff belts. Some militia organizations were equiped with these and may have carried them to the field.
Some surviving English manufacture items appear to have been made of buff leather as well. Waistbelts and cap pouches come to mind.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Ditto on what Mark said, as well the Marine Corps continued to issue buff leather through the duration of the war. There are many, many images of soldiers in buff, particularly the early and pre-war photos of volunteers and militias, north and south. There are also select buff British belts and accoutrements as noted that were worn sporadically in the South. As with any type of gear, one's impression greatly depend upon the who, what, where, and why of that impression as to what to wear at a given event/demo/reenactment. There are several sutlers who sell buff leathers, but fewer who sell the correct buff with the right craftsmanship. Nick Duvall and Bill Lomas at EJT, are amongst the best, and Heritage Leather will stand most scrutiny as well.

[BobWerner]

Originally Posted by Pemde12

Whats the chance of any Civil War soldier wearing white leathers? I have been looking around and cant find anything on this but yet a suttlery sales them. Could any of you possibly help me?

As rule, I don't generally respond to unsigned posts, but since this one looks genuine, I'll venture a reply.

As previously stated, a good percentage of the militia units going into the war would have appeared in white buff leathers (mainly belting, slings, carriages, etc.) but due to a variety of reasons that had originally caused the Federal government to seek out alternatives, they were quickly replaced.
One exception to this, thus why you're encountering whites at various sutlers, is the U.S. Marine Corps continued to issue white buff leather throughout the war years and beyond. Those of us who are doing period marine or pre-war just-about-anything still have a need for white buff.

Now, keeping white buff looking white is subject for a whole 'nother thread

Of course I spent too much time typing and Ross beat me to it. Anyway, what Ross said. Also, in addition to Nick Duvall and EJ Thomas, I've gotten some nice white buff from Dell's Leatherworks. Beware, though, as Ross alluded to, most white leathers on the market are NOT buff.

Respectfully,

[Bill_Cross]

More than anything, though, don't let what a sutler sells influence what you buy or wear in the field....

[Pemde12]

Thanks Guys so much I reenact the civil war and was just wondering if any soldiers actually carried white buff I think it would look good with the blue like a parade situation

[Gregg Hensley]

Originally Posted by Bill_Cross

More than anything, though, don't let what a sutler sells influence what you buy or wear in the field....

If there were such a list for reenactors, this advice should be on it!

Gregg Hensley
22 NCST, Co. K