Resources for Reenacting as a Kentuckian..... More meant for members of the unit.....
Rifles (rifled muskets) - We have dealt with various dealers such as "Loyalist Arms" for a cheaper musket or Marstar in Canada or Dixie Gun Works. for the more expensive Pedersoli brand. Many of us use the Pedersoli long-rifles which will set you back about $500-700. We like them for their performance and reliability plus they are made for target shooting as well. Unfortunately, Pedersoli does stamp their barrels with modern information. We also prefer 50 calibre to simply cleaning.... You will notice that rifles have a sharper crack when they fire as opposed to a smooth bore .... As for style, Kentuckian, Pennsylvanian, Blue Ridge.... you are looking for a flintlock long rifle appropriate for the time period....
Clothing
Linen shirt. Best source is King's Landing in New Brunswick. Looks good, accurate, and the price is good. Shirt pulls over the head with a few buttons. It's slightly off white. Note: the others have gotten shirts from other dealers as well. You want the look of the shirt. Availability is sporadic unfortunately. More expensive alternatives are available at events.
Pants - I call them drop front pants. You can buy them for about $60. We make them and have the pattern. Pants are a very slightly off white canvas (next grade up in heaviness from shoe canvas from Fabricland). The white colour is common at reenactments and permits us to dress in other uniforms for student events in Cobourg.
Suspenders are needed to keep the pants up - available at events or use store ones if you keep your jacket on.
Gaiters - we make our own. Black wool material over suiting with 7 buttons on eac h one and a strip of black leather to go under the shoe.
Black cravat/neckchief - we make them out of black cotton broadcloth.
The hunting frock - Ours are dark blue linen WLG 166 with a white linen fringe WLG 100 that has been dyed red. The cloth is from William Draper and Sons. We have the
patterns.
The slouch hat. It is edged with black twill tape. The twill tape is from Fabricland, the hat is a Civil War felt hat blank .
Shoes - black leather, the gaiters cover a multitude of evils. Later you can get more authentic shoes.
Equipment - Cleaning tools for the musket - gun oil, rags, a cleaning rod, and basic tools like screwdrivers.
You'll need a waist belt, broad leather belt with an old fashioned buckle - various sources such as Blockade Runner... .
Canteen - stainless steel kidney shaped canteen from Blockade Runner. It looks authentic but does not stand up to the rigours of skirmishing. We are experimenting with new ideas.....
1808 Cartridge box with its sling from Blockade Runner.
Finally, a good number of places carry large, long knives. The Kentuckians were described as carrying long, butcher-like knives. Townsend has a nice rifleman's knife that I use.... Look for something that fits the time... Tomahawks are also available from Townsend and some of us carry them as well.
Flints and other neat equipment can be had from "Track of the Wolf".
Gunpowder - we use FFF black powder which is available at Accuracy Plus in Peterborough in 1 pound tins. Much more cost effective is to buy it in a 25 lb box at Hummason in Ancaster near Hamilton Ontario.
Tents - Most events allow for modern camping. The majority camp in 1812 fashion with canvas tent..... It's expensive and harder to look after but you
are right next door to other reenactors and all events have spaces for you.
Insurance - you will definitely need insurance. We belong to the National Firearms Association out of Calgary. Membership is cheap (group membership is $15 /year/member and includes insurance).
Clothing
Linen shirt. Best source is King's Landing in New Brunswick. Looks good, accurate, and the price is good. Shirt pulls over the head with a few buttons. It's slightly off white. Note: the others have gotten shirts from other dealers as well. You want the look of the shirt. Availability is sporadic unfortunately. More expensive alternatives are available at events.
Pants - I call them drop front pants. You can buy them for about $60. We make them and have the pattern. Pants are a very slightly off white canvas (next grade up in heaviness from shoe canvas from Fabricland). The white colour is common at reenactments and permits us to dress in other uniforms for student events in Cobourg.
Suspenders are needed to keep the pants up - available at events or use store ones if you keep your jacket on.
Gaiters - we make our own. Black wool material over suiting with 7 buttons on eac h one and a strip of black leather to go under the shoe.
Black cravat/neckchief - we make them out of black cotton broadcloth.
The hunting frock - Ours are dark blue linen WLG 166 with a white linen fringe WLG 100 that has been dyed red. The cloth is from William Draper and Sons. We have the
patterns.
The slouch hat. It is edged with black twill tape. The twill tape is from Fabricland, the hat is a Civil War felt hat blank .
Shoes - black leather, the gaiters cover a multitude of evils. Later you can get more authentic shoes.
Equipment - Cleaning tools for the musket - gun oil, rags, a cleaning rod, and basic tools like screwdrivers.
You'll need a waist belt, broad leather belt with an old fashioned buckle - various sources such as Blockade Runner... .
Canteen - stainless steel kidney shaped canteen from Blockade Runner. It looks authentic but does not stand up to the rigours of skirmishing. We are experimenting with new ideas.....
1808 Cartridge box with its sling from Blockade Runner.
Finally, a good number of places carry large, long knives. The Kentuckians were described as carrying long, butcher-like knives. Townsend has a nice rifleman's knife that I use.... Look for something that fits the time... Tomahawks are also available from Townsend and some of us carry them as well.
Flints and other neat equipment can be had from "Track of the Wolf".
Gunpowder - we use FFF black powder which is available at Accuracy Plus in Peterborough in 1 pound tins. Much more cost effective is to buy it in a 25 lb box at Hummason in Ancaster near Hamilton Ontario.
Tents - Most events allow for modern camping. The majority camp in 1812 fashion with canvas tent..... It's expensive and harder to look after but you
are right next door to other reenactors and all events have spaces for you.
Insurance - you will definitely need insurance. We belong to the National Firearms Association out of Calgary. Membership is cheap (group membership is $15 /year/member and includes insurance).