Well most of you seem more into the pre Civil War period but I'm gonna post these anyway. Granted your flintlocks are all nifty and such but our gallant boys in blue and gray both did their parts and performed admirably with their black powder weapons too. My Dad was a buckskinner and got me into black powder before I could walk as I remember it. We used to go to Friendship yearly and some of my earliest memories are camping there in our teepee while Dad did his thing in buckskins with his flintlock and tomahawk.
Anyway, to each their own. Being the son of a buckskinner it's only natural that my time would come during the great War of Secession. :neener:
Our camp of instruction the last week of March. That's me on the far left aiming my reproduction Lorenz rifle. Three guys in my unit have them now with three more ordered and coming! They are really sweet. The 49th Indiana was originally issued Austrian Lorenz rifles so we are absolutely correct carrying them. I brought a ton of live ammo this year, .58 minie ball cartridges plus both regular .69 ball and buck and ball loads to shoot in between drill. You all would be amazed how many reenactors have fired blanks for years and never once shot their rifles for real. Buck and ball loads were by far and away the most popular. My favorite too!
Camp of instruction again. We shared camp with our counterparts the 44th Tennessee, also based out of Indiana. We decided to combine both companies for drill. I'm again, on the far left.
We portray western federals of which I'm infinitely proud being a Hoosier myself and having six relatives all who fought for the western armies under Grant and Sherman from Shiloh all the way to the March to the Sea. I'm very proud of our modern unit as I think we really nail the western soldiers look. We are much more ragtag and individually unique compared to our eastern cousins who are much more cookie cutter. Here last on the right in the rear rank (blanket roll and flat top bowler).
Here my 1st Sgt. stands over our wounded. You get a great view of his Lorenz rifle. You can also see our differing gear and appearances. Slight variations in sack coat colors, gear carried, blankets, etc. I'm on far right with the tan blanket roll.
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alemonkey
April 29, 2009, 10:53 PM
Very nice, I find myself wanting a Civil War rifle more and more these days.
NobleSniper
April 29, 2009, 10:58 PM
Some great pics and hello from a fellow hoosier ;)
GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL
April 29, 2009, 10:58 PM
Good pictures, Cap'n...Really, very impressive..14th Alabama CSA..
MCgunner
April 29, 2009, 11:26 PM
It was San Jacinto day this month and they had a reenactment at the battle grounds scheduled, but it kinda got flooded out. Guess I can wait to go see it.
Hmm, buncha dahyum yayankees.....
But, frankly, my dear, nice pix. :D
arcticap
May 1, 2009, 04:18 AM
The blanket rolls may not have offered a soldier much protection from being wounded, but at least it would soak up a lot of blood and was immediately available to dress a serious wound!
Also it must need to be well secured on the non-shooting shoulder to not interfere with shooting. :rolleyes:
4v50 Gary
May 1, 2009, 10:23 AM
This is definitely a do not try it at home.
A blanket roll sometimes provides protection. One Union soldier pinned down before Marye's Heights pushed his blanket roll ahead of him for some "sense" of protection. Wounded, he managed to get back into town with some assistance. His pards wondered why his blanket was so heavy. They unrolled it and out dropped 17 minie balls. Naturally, the guns that fired them must have been fouled (explaining the loss of velocity) but better to be stopped in the blanket than the body.
More modernly, I read of a GI who shot a fleeing German with his M-1 carbine. The German was caught and the carbine bullets dropped out of his blanket.
sundance44s
May 1, 2009, 10:51 AM
Phantom Captain you are the only solider in step with your squad leader ...
Have the rest of the guys drop and give me 20 !
Great Pics .....where`s the Rebs ?
AdmiralB
May 1, 2009, 10:52 AM
Great Pics .....where`s the Rebs ?
He's from Indiana - they were all run out.
DrLaw
May 1, 2009, 01:02 PM
Well, I would say that they were nice photos, ceptin for one thing...
Where is that pretty missus of yours? I'd say from previous photos that she is as pretty as, if not better than, that line of muskets. :evil:
The Doc is out now. :cool:
Loyalist Dave
May 1, 2009, 01:23 PM
His pards wondered why his blanket was so heavy. They unrolled it and out dropped 17 minie balls. Naturally, the guns that fired them must have been fouled (explaining the loss of velocity) but better to be stopped in the blanket than the body.
It's also possible the rounds had skipped across the field toward his position. We fired several rounds from a 3-band Enfield offhand, over an open field at a 100 yard target. We found that at about 200 yards the rounds started to skip along the ground making little grooves, then a large gap, then more grooves, doing this several times before coming to rest.
HEY how about them guys in the second rank leveling their muskets! If us flinters can do it, with pans opening and sparks flying, so can you Yankee Caplock Boys!
LD
Phantom Captain
May 1, 2009, 01:46 PM
Thanks guys for all the nice comments!
I truly love doing this stuff and am lucky be in such a great company and double lucky to have a girl who loves joining me for all my craziness.
Well, I would say that they were nice photos, ceptin for one thing...
Where is that pretty missus of yours? I'd say from previous photos that she is as pretty as, if not better than, that line of muskets.
Ha! Here she is in the middle, getting ready with the other ladies for the big saturday night ball! This was in Vernon, IN last weekend.
Loyalist Dave, I agree on the balls skipping into the blankets too. That does seem more realistic although crazy things can and do happen with bullets. Some soldiers could have only half charged their rifles too. In the heat of battle with adrenaline pumping I'm sure more than one poured more than half their charge on the ground instead of down the barrel. Either way, there are so many accounts of the sort, bullets bouncing off belt buckles, sword scabbards, being stopped by a pocket bible, etc. etc. etc. Always fun and interesting to read that stuff though! Thanks 4v50 Gary
We are careful in the second rank not to get our locks too close to the ears of the 1st rank but usually it's no problem at all. If you notice in that first picture the 2nd rank always steps up and to the right with their right foot to do exactly that, get over the 1st ranks shoulder and not to be too close to their ears. It's straight out of the manual of arms!
LOL @ sundance44s! Yeah, them 44th Tennessee guys aren't too keen on drilling to the extent we do. Us blue coats do march and try to keep in step as much as possible (although there is always one slacker or two who aren't and then throw it off for everyone else). The Rebs on the other hand don't really care too much for all that and pretty much go at the route step all the time.
Here's a few more pics from last November at an event we did just outside of Atlanta. We were lucky enough to have the event right on the Nash Farm battlefield. I tell you what though, I thought the south and Georgia were supposed to be warm!! Those two nights it was down in the lower 30s!! My whole unit was going campaign style, like Sherman's boys would've, so we had no tents etc. It was sleeping out under the stars, nothing but a fire in the middle of us all and greatcoats and blankets. Still we all about froze! Ah good times good times! Nothing better!!
Yep, that's our camp. What you see is what you get. We were the only unit going campaign style, everyone else had canvas.
At Atlanta they dug works and trenches and had broken down artillery and such in the field for more realism. It was amazing to be hunkered down here looking up at those Rebs manning the works. We charged it too and pretty much got wiped out to the man as one would think. Awesome.
You guys charged and got wiped out to a man? Were you reenacting Pickett's Mill or Kennesaw Mountain? By 1864, most of Sheman's boys knew better to try a stand up and fight in purdy lines ala 1861.
BTW, those are terrific pics. Your young 'uns do look the rite age to be soljers back then too. Camping in the low '30s has no appeal to me. I visited a War of 1812 group in Missessinewa (sp) in Indiana and that was cold enough for me.
Phantom Captain
May 1, 2009, 05:11 PM
You guys charged and got wiped out to a man? Were you reenacting Pickett's Mill or Kennesaw Mountain? By 1864, most of Sheman's boys knew better to try a stand up and fight in purdy lines ala 1861.
BTW, those are terrific pics. Your young 'uns do look the rite age to be soljers back then too. Camping in the low '30s has no appeal to me. I visited a War of 1812 group in Missessinewa (sp) in Indiana and that was cold enough for me.
It wasn't anything specific, just a scenario of our boys trying to break the lines outside Atlanta. We did it more for the crowd to give them a nice spectacle. After the Rebs came out of the works and gave our wounded water and helped them back into their lines as prisoners. The crowd did like it.
And thanks for the compliments on the pictures again. Yep, the youngsters sure do look the part don't they?! We have six under the age of 20.
Been to Mississinewa myself and it's really cool to see! It's a great event but it actually conflicts now with our Civil War Days event in Hartford City. I went two years ago and it was 85 in October. Sounds the exact opposite of your visit! I wish they would schedule them on seperate weekends as the folks who go to the one would most likely go to the other as well. No sense in competing but that's what they do. I love all the colors and units in the 1812 reenactment it's a real treat to go to.
RedRyder
May 4, 2009, 01:06 AM
Can any of you guys tell me who is mfg.of the Austrian Lorenz rifles that are in Phantom Captain pics? Any Info. such as quality, wood type, price range,
Specs. compared to an original, Etc. would be much appreciated! I had no Idea it was even available. Again thanks very much! ~ RR
Ratdog68
May 4, 2009, 01:45 AM
Would love to see a reinactment some day ! Not much of it available to us'ns out here in Latte-land.
arcticap
May 4, 2009, 01:53 AM
I don't know where Phantom Captain purchased his, but you can click on his name to send him a personal message (PM) to ask him.
But I did find Lorenz reroductions available at Loyalist Arms that are probably made in India. Note that the .54 rifled barrel version is listed at the bottom of the page priced at $775 U.S. Dollars.
Arcticap, Thanks for the links! I believe that is what I'm looking for.Will review
the info. closely and PM Phantom Capt. if need be. ~RR
messerist
May 4, 2009, 07:27 AM
Dixie Gun Works carries it. Their latest flyer featured the Lorenz.
shooterJim
May 4, 2009, 07:42 AM
Those are some great photographs. Thanks for posting them.
BHP FAN
May 4, 2009, 11:18 AM
The civil war and the period just after are my favorites...those are great pics.
Phantom Captain
May 21, 2009, 09:35 AM
So here's a few more pics of our last event.
This one was at Conner Prairie just north of Indianapolis. It was pretty large actually which is always fun. Weather was a bit rough Friday and early Saturday as we had rain and thunderstorms then had to deal with the mud after. I don't mind though, makes it more realistic in my opinion. You just have to deal with it!
Here's yours truly waiting for the call to battle. Just like the real army, you form up, wait, wait, wait, then are told to rest as you wait and then get called up again about five minutes after you finally sit down. How do you like my 19th century shave job eh?? I'm digging it.
Our western boys again in battle!! This is another great picture of our western impression with the motley and ragtag look as compared to our eastern compatriots.
Unfortunately, I spent the weekend changing intake manifold gaskets.
4v50 Gary
May 21, 2009, 08:44 PM
AdmiralB - Conner Prairie Museum in Fishers is hosting two days of Civil War reenactments. Check it out at their website and then get thee down to Conner Prairie.
AdmiralB
May 21, 2009, 08:50 PM
Conner Prairie Museum in Fishers is hosting two days of Civil War reenactments.
Hard to do without my time machine...they were last weekend (unless they're doing more that aren't on their calendar).
Phantom Captain
May 21, 2009, 08:50 PM
Ack, sorry you couldn't make it AdmiralB, it was a good time!
4v50 Gary, it was this weekend past!!
Hawkeye748
May 21, 2009, 10:52 PM
Hate to burst your bubble on the Loyalist Lorenz, but back away.
I learned shooting with the N-SSA that Some Loyalist Arms are from India. There are several cases on record of some catastrophic failures. The metal is poor quality and will not stand up to live fire. I am told by folks I respect that these guns were imported without the vents drilled to get around proof requirements. There is at least one documented failure of a Loyalist Weapon shooting blanks. The N-SSA will not allow these guns on the line as they consider them unsafe.
The one I examined had poor wood to metal fit and the metal had a "not right" feel to it. I backed off.
Dixie carried a Lorenz but I don't see it in the current catalog or on line. It obtained N-SSA approval but the heavy use with live fire proved to be a bit much for it and it fell out of favor.
Meant to add that the Loyalist Arms made from Italian parts are pretty fair guns. It is the Indian imports that you need to stay away from.
Hawkeye748
May 21, 2009, 11:35 PM
Phantom Captain,
I just thought I would ask:
Why is a good YANKEE like yourself quoting SOUTHERN General Patrick Cleburne?
AdmiralB
May 22, 2009, 12:08 AM
Dixie carried a Lorenz but I don't see it in the current catalog or on line. It obtained N-SSA approval but the heavy use with live fire proved to be a bit much for it and it fell out of favor.
I was in Dixie's shop today. They have a Lorenz carbine-like gun (short barrel) out on display, looks like it's been there a while. No manufacturer's name on it that I could see.
Here's the link, but I don't know if they're actually still for sale. Dixie does have some old stuff left in small quantities that is available but not cataloged/listed on the site.
Looked at the link and it is made by Arms-Monrovia, a Chech Company.
It appears to be copied to the extent that it has the same problem the original imports have. The bore is .555 in the grooves. Neither side in the CW made a bullet that would shoot accurately in this gun. Troops were issued standard .54 caliber ammo that was usually .530-.535. The bullets would not expand enough to fill the grooves in the barrel, hence poor accuracy. If I am not mistaken, the Austrians used a compression style bullet along the lines of today's Maxi-ball, not our minie ball. I believe the N-SSA shooters that shot the Wilkerson style compression bullet had the best results.
I have a team mate that occasionally shoots an original Lorenz. He adapted a Minie ball mould to expand it to be large enough. The gun consistently shoots half dollar size groups at 100 yards. He has embarassed many a scoped deer rifle with this gun :what: at his local range.
Austria sent many different arms and calibers here for the CW. Some of the originals are in .72 caliber. The workmanship on those I have examined is very good. I think the problem of their bad reputation was the ammo.
Dixie has an original Austrian rifle that is on sale for $750. Not a Lorenz. It has been bored out to .60 caliber.
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