Waist Belt

Two styles of belts were produced during the Civil War, one with a leather loop “keeper” at the end, and another with a brass keeper.  It is not certain when the brass keepers where first introduced, but the “American Military Equipage 1851-1872” by Frederick P. Todd estimated the introduction of the brass keeper belt to be about 1856 with the adoption of the new .58 cal. rifled-muskets (1855 Springfields).  However, Thornton's accoutrements description of 1858 only mentions the leather loop belt.  It has been rumored that author Paul Johnson has placed the introduction of the brass keeper to be much later, about 1863, and intends to publish his findings in an upcoming book.¹  The belts were 1.9” wide and 38.5” long, with the pre-war belts being made of "buff leather blacked" and later, about 1858, the belts were being made of "waxed" leather.  Later in the war the belts were being made of "bridle" leather.²

The belt plate is oval, 3.5” by 2.2”, and made of brass with two studs and a hook.  The “U.S.” lettering on the early war plates was smaller than those produced starting in 1863 and had more of a block style to them.

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U.S. Pattern 1850 Cap Pouch

The cap pouch was made of black "bridle" leather and worn on the waist belt for holding percussion caps.  Comes with a nipple pick and a small leather loop inside to hold the pick.  Later in the war rivets were added to reinforce the waist belt loops.

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U.S. Pattern 1857 or 1861 Cartridge Box

The distinguishing difference between the 1857 and the 1861 pattern is the addition of rivets on the straps of the later.  Both boxes are of black "bridle" leather (also known as "grain" leather) with narrow back straps with buckles.  The box comes with two tins for holding 40 rounds of cartridges. 

Cartridge Box Plate made of sheet brass, filling of lead and tin. Oval 3.5 inches by 2.2 inches, with the letters “US” embossed.  On the back are two eyes made of iron wire, 2.5 inches apart, embedded in the lead filling for fastening the plate to the flap of the box.

The sling was made of "buff leather blacked" prior to the war then changed to "waxed" leather at the start of the war to meet production demands and changed again during 1862 to "bridle" leather.²  Length 55.5 inches, width 2.25 inches, terminated at ends, in billets for buckles, each 4.25 inches long. 

Cartridge Box Belt Plate made of sheet brass, filling of lead and tin. Circular 2.5 inches diameter, embossed, “Eagle.”  On the back are two eyes of iron wire, 2 inches apart, embedded in the lead filling for attaching the plate to the belt.

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Springfield Rifled Musket Model 1855 or 1861 .58 Caliber

Choosing your rifle is both a matter of your impression, and a matter of economy.  You may wish to portray a soldier who was been in the ranks before the War, or one who enlisted at the outset of the conflict.  In the first case, the Model 1855 might be more appropriate, the Model 1861 in the latter.  However, be advised that reproductions of the Model 1855 can be considerably more expensive than the Model 1861.

The .58 caliber Model 1855 was the state-of-the-art rifle issued to the Regular Army from 1857-1861 – the first U.S. military rifle firing the .58 caliber Minie bullet.  These where produced by both the Harpers Ferry Armory (12,158) and the Springfield Armory (47,115).  Early models (1857 to around 1859) have a long range rear sight, and brass forend cap (the ArmiSport reproduction is basically correct in this regard).  After 1859, the forend cap was changed to iron and the rear sight was changed to the two-leaf version also seen in the 1861 Rifled Musket (the EuroArms version is almost correct – the forend cap should be changed to iron and re-dated to 1859, 1860 or 1861). The other major difference between the 1855 and 1861 Models was the Maynard primer system on the lock of the Model 1855.

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The Model 1861 was the principal rifled weapon of the Civil War.  By the last year of the war, most Federal Infantry were armed with this rifle.  Approved by the Army Ordnance Board in May of 1860, some 265,129 of them were produced at the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Thousands of contract muskets were patterned after this weapon.

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Springfield Musket Sling

For the 1855, 1861 and 1863 Springfield, a 46” leather sling (not the short version sold by many sutlers) with a brass hook, standing loop and sliding loop made with a russet brown oiled finish.  It should be long enough to run twice between the two sling swivels and overlap several inches before hooking together.  Note: Black leather is incorrect, as is canvas or any other material.

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Bayonet and Scabbard

1855 .58 Caliber Springfield Bayonet

The reproduction bayonets are not as strong as the originals and are prone to bend easily.  Bayonets can be obtained from a number of sources and you will want to bring your musket with you and make sure that the bayonet fits properly before you buy as they can vary in size.

.58 Caliber Springfield Bayonet Scabbard

The bayonets were made of bridle leather.  The pre-war 1855 type I pattern belt frog has only two rivets.  The 1861 type II and type III patterns have seven rivets, including a rivet holding the tube itself.  Again, you may want the pattern of the equipment to be consistent throughout and should be consistent with the impression you are pursuing.

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1 - Columbia Rifle Research Compendium

2 - "Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman" by Paul D. Johnson