Columbia Rifles Home Page

Standards of the Columbia Rifles

3.0 ACCOUTREMENTS AND CAMP EQUIPMENT

NOTE: “Accoutrements” included the cartridge box and sling, waistbelt, cap pouch, and bayonet scabbard. “Camp equipment” includes the haversack, canteen, and knapsack.

NOTE: All accoutrements should be worn at the proper height. The waist-belt shall be worn about the center of the stomach (over the navel). Cartridge Box slings came in only one length, and when this sling is used, you will want to adjust the billets so that the top of the box rides just below the bottom edge of the waist-belt. Haversack and canteen straps shall be the proper length, so that the top of the haversack and canteen are approximately equal with the elbow. If necessary, straps shall be shortened for the haversack (cut and sewn shorter), and canteen (knotted up or cut-and-sewn). If a knapsack is used, it is recommended that the canteen strap be over the knapsack straps to facilitate both drinking and refilling the canteen while on the march.

3.1 Haversack
A. U.S. Issue Haversack: Painted (black) canvas with buckle and inner canvas bag. Closure buckle shall be japanned, painted black steel, or unfinished iron; nickel-plated and stainless steel buckles are not allowed. The leather fixtures can be held onto the haversack with rivets or linen stitching. Maximum size of the haversack shall be 12 inches by 12 inches. Straps on period haversacks were generally approximately 42 inches in length. [EOG/US pages 199, 210, 211]
B. Items carried in the haversack should be period-correct. Note that modern blue/red bandanas sold by most sutlers are incorrect and are forbidden. The haversack was intended to carry food; personal items should largely be carried in the knapsack.
C. Items in the haversack should be carried in small cotton or muslin “poke bags” with drawstrings or wrapped in period-style newspaper.
D. Haversacks will generally not be worn at dress parade, modern parades, etc.
E. Tinware should be hitched to the outside of the haversack only when there is insufficient room for mess gear within the haversack.
F. Commissioned Officer Haversack: Commissioned officers may use either an enlisted haversack or an officer haversack. Officer haversack shall be either patent or dyed leather with adjustable leather strap, or painted canvas. [EOG/US page 201]

3.2 Canteen
A. U.S. Issue Model 1858 (Smoothside), New York or Schuylkill Depot pattern: Tin-plated sheet iron oblate spheroid canteen with three strap keepers. One keeper may have a punched hole (to hold the cork attachment) per New York Depot canteen specifications; only canteens issued by the New York Depot had this hole. Corrugated canteen bodies (i.e. “bullseye” canteens) were issued only by the Schuylkill Depot and after mid-1862.
B. Cover: Canteens shall have a gray or brown colored cover of jean or satinette. Although original canteens exist with kersey covers, they were uncommon and are therefore grossly over-represented in today’s reenacting world; they are therefore strongly discouraged.
C. Strap: Straps should be white cotton drilling, approximately ¾-inch wide and 72 inches in length. New York Depot canteens often used the same drill that was used to fabricate shelter tents, with a visible twill weave. The Schuylkill Arsenal usually used twill tape after 1862. In August 1862, the New York and Schuylkill arsenals largely discontinued use of leather canteen straps, although some leather straps remained in use in the field until at least the summer of 1863. Leather canteen straps should be russet-colored (brown), ½-inch wide with a buckle closure. Leather canteen straps shall not be used for impressions after summer of 1863.
D. Cork: Should be secured with galvanized (zinc plated) iron chain (correct for New York Depot canteens) or string. [EOG/US pages 198, 206, 207]
E. Stainless steel canteens are allowed, but the spout shall be pewter or tin; stainless steel shall never be visible.
F. It is preferred that canteens be unadorned by superfluous decorations or identification. Most marked canteens, particularly after the early-war period, include only the owner’s stenciled initials.

3.3 Cartridge Box and Side-arm Accoutrements
A. Black leather M1861 cartridge box for 0.58 caliber muzzle loading rifles, with leather sling. Cartridge box must be equipped with tins. Sling must have a brass eagle breastplate, and be made in the regulation length of 55 inches with two narrow 5 ½” long billets. The most common method of factory-attaching the breastplate to the strap was to bend the loops over on the inside, without use of ties, wedges, etc. The cartridge box should have a brass plate reading “US” (state designations, such as “SNY” or “OVM”, are not acceptable for brass plates) commonly attached with a leather “wedge” in the visual center of the box flap. [EOG/US page 203, bottom]
B. Pistol Box: May be worn only by commissioned officers who elect to carry side-arms. Pistol box shall be black leather and shall have two belt loops sewn or riveted to the backside of the pistol box. Pistol cartridge boxes do not appear to have been universally used by infantry officers in the field. Since revolver ammunition was purchased in drilled wooden blocks, boxes of revolver ammunition were often carried in the haversack or pockets.
C. Pistol Holster: Shall be worn only by commissioned officers who elect to carry side-arms. Holster should be patterned after a corresponding original. Originals include open-top and flap holsters in brown or black leather, often with decorative tooling. Closures range from brass or silver-plated stud & straps to simple strap and loop. Preferred (common) holster is right-side, butt forward (presumably, in battle an officer would have a sword in the right hand, and would therefore draw the pistol with the left hand from the right hip), although other holster configurations are also acceptable. [EOG/US page 201]

3.4 Cap Pouch
A. Black leather cap pouch, M1855, with inner flap, cone pick loop and sheepskin liner. [EOG/US page 202]

3.5 Waistbelt and Belt Plate
A. Federal-issue black-dyed (not painted) leather waistbelt with standing leather loop keeper is preferred. The brass keeper is acceptable but not preferred. (Note: brass keepers were not the rule before the end of 1863 or early 1864; the standing loop belt is far more common until 1864). Minimum width of waist-belt shall be 1-7/8 inches; maximum width shall be 2 inches.
B. Brass belt plate should read “US” (not, “SNY” or “OVM”) and preferably be lead-filled (not resin-filled). [EOG/US page 202] “Snake head” hooks (now called “arrow hooks”) to attach the plate to the belt were introduced relatively late in the war. Up to the beginning of 1863, the “puppy paw” or “mushroom head” studs were typical.
C. NCOs may wear the Federal non-commissioned officer waist-belt with rectangular eagle plate closure. Belt shall be dyed black leather approximately 1¾ inches wide. The belt length shall be adjustable by means of a brass hook, and shall include a leather keeper. Buckle-closure shall be a brass rectangle with eagle insignia and hook to mate with the brass eye at opposite end of belt.
D. Commissioned Officer Sword Belt: Officer’s sword belts were black-dyed, brown, black patent leather, maroon, and embroidered cloth. All of the following dimensions are given as a guide only, because original sword belts have significant variations. Members are advised to copy an existing original that has a documented provenance. Sword belt for commissioned officers should be approximately 1-5/8 inches wide. Belt length should be adjustable by means of a brass buckle, and should include a leather keeper. Buckle-closure may be a brass rectangle with eagle insignia and hook to mate with the brass eye at opposite end of belt. Belt should include two square brass loops each approximately 1½ inches by 1½ inches, each fastened to the belt with two pieces of leather reinforcing sewn to the belt. Belt should include two 1-inch wide leather straps looped through the brass loops and secured with removable brass rivets. Each strap shall have a brass swivel snap (note: there are no known accurate reproduction swivel snaps; Members are encouraged to use original swivel snaps if available). The belt should have a 1-inch wide adjustable baldric (shoulder strap) with leather keeper and brass closure hook; the baldric may be removed at the officers’ discretion. [EOG/US page 200]

3.6 Bayonet and Scabbard
A. Scabbard: Acceptable scabbards patterns include the two rivet and the seven rivet types. Two-rivet pattern scabbards are preferred because they are an earlier-war pattern and were typical until the seven-rivet pattern was distributed starting in the spring of 1863. Both patterns were constructed of black-dyed (not painted) leather. DO NOT buy a two-piece English scabbard/frog. All scabbards shall be equipped with a brass tip for safety considerations; this tip should be attached to the scabbard body with from two to four small brass or copper brads. [EOG/US page 202]
B. Bayonet: Carbon steel bayonet correct for the weapon. Bayonet shall have a locking ring. Members should replace the reproduction locking-ring on their bayonet with an original locking ring. Remove the “INDIA” stamp from the bayonet with a file and emery cloth. Either leave this area blank or stamp in the letters “US”. Sharpening of bayonets is expressly prohibited. Best results (durability) will be obtained through use of an original bayonet.

3.7 Knapsack
A. Federal Issue Double Bag Knapsack: Painted (black) canvas or drilling with black-dyed (not painted) leather straps, mid-war pattern. Closure buckles shall be japanned, painted black steel, or unfinished iron; nickel-plated and stainless steel buckles are not allowed. Hooks shall be brass. [EOG/US page 213]
B. Members are allowed to utilize blanket rolls (“mule collars”) in lieu of knapsacks.
C. “Hardpack” knapsacks and wood frames inserted into the double-bag knapsacks are discouraged unless specifically condoned for an event. These pieces of equipment were early-war items and their use in post-1862 scenarios is generally incorrect.
D. Unless specifically dictated otherwise by the scenario, members are highly encouraged to wear knapsacks (“full marching order”) to all marches, battles, and demonstrations where the Rifles are portraying soldiers on campaign. Knapsacks may or may not be worn when soldiers are detailed to guard duty (depending on the scenario); wearing of knapsacks is never required when actually posted as a sentinel.
E. Packing of knapsacks for an event shall be as light as possible. Pack only what you can carry on a march of at least five hours. A knapsack is generally packed too heavy if it weighs more than 14 lbs. fully loaded, including the blanket, gum blanket, and shelter half.
F. Knapsacks are not appropriate at dress parade, modern-day parades, and ceremonies.

3.8 Rifle Straps
A. Rifle Straps: Members may choose to equip their rifles with straps (also known today as, “slings”). Rifle straps should be russet leather, 46 inches long and between 1 and 1-1/8 inches wide. A cast or sheet-brass hook should be sewn and riveted to one end. All loops to be sewn construction, with no staples or rivets used in the construction or attachment. The English-pattern strap for the Enfield was issued with a frequency similar to that of the other English accoutrements and therefore is incorrect for the typical U.S. impression. Enfield rifle-muskets should be fitted with a U.S.-pattern strap with an extra hole or two added.

0.0 Standards Home

1.0 Uniforms

2.0 Blankets, Tentage and Waterproofs

3.0 Accoutrements and Camp Equipage

4.0 Weapons

5.0 Rations and Cooking

6.0 Camping

7.0 Drill