I suppose the term started a long time before I got involved in re-enacting, basically it means "Far be it for me to tell you how to do this"

It ended up being a term used to describe people who either don't know enough about the time period or simply don't care enough to represent things properly. Now, I'm not saying that everyone HAS to do EVERYTHING exactly right, but when the information is out there and the resources are available, there's no excuse to do anything other than what's right. I've seen all kinds of crazy interpretations of proper clothing and equipment.

When it comes to men's clothing and uniforms, it's sometimes comical, and who better to pick on but yourself? Here's a picture of me and some friends (I'm on the right) in about 1983. I just found this picture cleaning out some files....... too funny huh?

That's Ron on the left and Charlie in the middle. Charlie and I went out into my back yard one day in '83 and fired his kit made Kentucky rifle.........WOW....... I was hooked.

So begins the life of Bob as a Rev War Re-enactor. Now check out the picture above....... forget about Ron and Charlie for a second...... can you count the things wrong with the picture? Go ahead..... laugh.......   I am. There are dozens of things wrong here. One of the first things I notice is the mustache. Yikes.

Well, in order for me to get outfitted back then, and not knowing a thing, I did the following:

Coat:        I took my brother's dress blue US Airforce coat and cut off the sleeves. Then I removed the breast pockets and moved them down to the waistline.... and there you have it... a weskit (waistcoat)

Breeches:    The breeches are made from a pair of 1960's (I think) wool navy uniform drop front breeches which I shortened at the legs.

Shoes:        These are my dad's square dance shoes...... actually    not bad.

Shirt:        The shirt is probably the only thing that's close to being right....... I think I made it myself.

Hat:        OK..... too funny      but who knew?

Cartridge pouch:    I think this was someones purse that I borrowed.....   can you say SCAREY?

Musket:    Yup, you guessed it...... the Belgian Bomb.   There musket were made (I think) in the 1950's for the wars in South Africa.
                    Later they were bought up by Hollywood for filming...... somehow the re-enacting community bought some up........  
                    AND THERE ARE STILL SOME OUT THERE.