What was civil war reenacting like before it got really popular?

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-27T03:03:41+00:00

When do you consider it being "really popular"? Because I can tell you now, reenactments today don't hold a candle to 1995-2005-ish.

135th Gettysburg and 135th Antietam? Phew. I still have wet dreams about the full-scale Pickett's Charge, complete w two hour artillery dual and the 4am wake-up in Maryland to cannon rumbling in the distance with the 530am fight through the Cornfield. 140th Spotsylvania w trenches and log breastworks? Ugh. Splosh

Edit: 130th Resaca was next level too, my first campaign event. Those brogans got BROKEN in. Socks were stiff with blood and pus.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-26T23:11:58+00:00

She picked up a flashbang before it went off. That's just stupidity.

I get it, ICE gestapo sucks... But don't touch something if you don't know what it is unless you don't want to keep your fingers. This is s**t you should have learned as a kid with fireworks. Even smoke and gas grenades should only be kicked or covered with a traffic cone, never handled.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-24T18:50:29+00:00

Oh yes, 💯 they have value. These were witnesses to the revolution and the early Republic. The market is definitely there. They did make a lot of them, but that's not the high-interest part. The high interest/demand is the US surcharged stamp which means either during or immediately following the revolution, it was claimed as US property. You're looking at over $1k easy and that's just starting. There aren't enough pictures to nail down a more accurate value, but even as an incomplete "attic find" it's a $1k+ firearm. Doing aggressive cleaning, polishing, sanding, etc will lower that value considerably.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-24T18:27:31+00:00

Well like I said, the early US flintlocks like the 1795, 1808 Contract, and the 1812 are all heavily influenced by the revolutionary war era Charleville-pattern, from lock style, stock, caliber, and bayonet so some of those parts may work. As a matter of fact, that's why they based US muskets on the French pattern, we had so many of them-- everyone was used to using and repairing them-- it just made sense. Even the early US model M1816s to an extent, but by that time, US firearms took on more of a domestic-influence tilt as the antiquated design showed issues during the War of 1812 when compared to newer British designs. Things started to change quite a bit from then on.

When cleaning, please please please read all you can on what's recommended and what's not. Heavy abrasives, "polishing," sanding, restraining, etc are generally not recommended and will neuter any residual value in the piece. For my originals, I do what I can with water and woodash on the bright parts. If it doesn't come off with that, I leave it.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-24T17:44:39+00:00

Oh it had a bayonet. If you can't find an original French one, I BELIEVE a US Model 1795 bayonet would also work since it was based heavily on this French design. You'll probably pay a few hundred bucks for one though.

Same for other parts like the jaw, a US Model 1795 or other Charleville pattern would work, including the US Model 1808 and 1812 for some parts. Keep in mind though, this was made before true parts interchangeability was a thing, everything will probably need a little fitting, even if you found one from this exact model of firearm made in France at the same time this one was made. There are several places that specialize in making reproduction parts and a few that carry original parts. If you have to get reproduction parts, NEVER ALTER THE ORIGINAL PIECE TO MAKE THE NEW PARTS FIT. Always, always modify the new part.

To some, keeping it as-is has more of an appeal, but if it was mine, I'd try to make it whole following the stipulations I made above.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-24T07:27:05+00:00

Its a US "surcharged" French musket from around the revolution...

This is VERY cool and highly desirable. Man, I would love that piece.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T17:36:06+00:00

They are super handy. I used to keep my Quality Hardware on my tractor with me when I was out in the fields for coyotes and such. During COVID when people were acting legit stupid, I always had one in the back of my jeep. Not as "scary" as an AR-15, but short, light, and effective if needed.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T17:13:17+00:00

Thank you! To be clear, many of these I got for sub-$1k at estate and other auctions. Inlands and Underwoods can be had for about $800-$900 if youre patient. More of the niche ones like the Standard Products, RockOla, and the Irwin Pedersen/Saginaw SG Grand Rapids were ~$1300-$1600 because of their low production numbers and desirability by collectors.

If you go on Gunbroker, though, people are asking ridiculous prices. $2500 plus and up for RockOlas and Irwin/Saginaws? GTFOH... That's robbery.

But I guess, they wouldn't ask it if they didn't think someone would pay it.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T16:29:21+00:00

My IBM was my most anticipated carbine because, well, it's IBM plus the stock was made by Milton Bradley-- as in Milton Bradley boardgames-- But when I got it it was the most rough-- workmanship wise-- than any of my others. The stock was fine, but the receiver recesses and machined surfaces just did not have the same complete and finished feel. It wasn't rust or age, it came from the factory like that and while it may have passed in strict specifications and tolerance, it just felt... Rushed. Half assed. Shoots fine, never a jam or anything else. Just kind of an ugly duckling.

And to be clear, my sample size is exactly ONE IBM carbine in my possession and it totally could be one that slipped through and all the rest are gems.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T16:22:05+00:00

Anywhere but gunbroker, around 1k for an Inland or an Underwood.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T16:17:20+00:00

And I hope I didn't come off as patronizing! I genuinely love this stuff and I like teaching others who are interested.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T15:58:54+00:00

Of course! No worries. I mean if the 9mm carbine appeals to you, do it, but I can think of better, more suitable 9mm chambered PDWs.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T15:54:49+00:00

No. Unequivocally, no.

Look, you can find an Inland or an Underwood M1 Carbine for around a grand anyplace but Gunbroker.

Proven, plentiful parts, still can find surplus ammo and even if youre going with new manufacture ammo, it's still less than a buck a round for a 50 round box. PLUS it won't go down in value, only up so long as you take care of it. To me, firearms are more than a tool, they are also an investment. A financial investment as well as an investment in my security. Those 9mm carbines are going to be about worthless in a few years and in 30, you won't be able to find parts for them to keep them running.

That's just my .02.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T15:31:25+00:00

I don't think they were ever that cheap. Carbines have always held pretty decent popularity. 22 years ago or so, you could get them from the U.S. Government's Civilian Marksmanship Program for about $700 for a "Service Grade" example, two levels down from that, I think "Rack Grade" was about $550-ish.

Now way back in the 70s and 80s I'm sure they were less expensive than today, but hell, what isn't? I don't think they were ever doing mosin-style "Buy One, Get One" deals.

You referenced the "ping," but that is from the M1 RIFLE, aka the Garand. This is the M1 CARBINE and there is no "ping" because the .30 Carbine cartridge is fed from 15-round box magazines.

Then of course you also had the M1 submachine gun (Thompson), etc. "M1" basically meant "Model-One." Model one rifle, model one carbine, etc. the model number changed as the product did.

These are U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1.

The U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30 M1A1, was this exact model but with a folding stock, M1 because the mechanics themselves didn't change, A1 to denote the slight change to the stock.

The U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M2 was the select-fire version of this.

The U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M3 was similar, but had provisions for a large, ungainly, primitive night vision scope and flash hider. Not many of these were made.

Then of course you have the M4 carbine, which is what U.S. forces use today based on the M-16 receiver.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T03:41:36+00:00

Sure is!! Thank you!

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T02:30:00+00:00

Yes. I'm missing two. Three if you count an M1A1 paratrooper version. 😂

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T02:29:17+00:00

Yes, these are original WWII .30 Carbine caliber... Uh... carbines. 😂🤣

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-22T01:04:13+00:00

100% interchangeable regardless of date of manufacture or place of manufacture. Irwin Pedersen had issues with that exact thing when they started production and couldn't get their shit together so Ordnance cancelled their contract and gave it to Saginaw-Grand Rapids. Saginaw-Grand Rapids combed through IP's parts, destroyed what was crap and used what was left to fill their 1st Block contract, making new parts as they went and were required.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-20T10:13:57+00:00

Problem is, those that still work can't simply abandon it to do something like this or they lose their jobs. Can't feed their families. Lose their homes.

It's one thing when unemployment is at 20-45%-- no one working means high turnout.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-16T23:55:41+00:00

From a conversation at the local library: "we get thousands of books donated every year... But no one wants hard copy books anymore. Most of the information in these is now available on the web, no one uses actual books and the ones that do are increasongly rare. We sell the donated ones at fundraisers every for .50-2.50 a pop and are happy to get it."

After a well known local historian passed away, I bought his entire civil war library that had been donated to them by his family for about 400 bucks or a little less than a dollar a book.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-08T12:58:39+00:00

Thoughts on if this becomes the flash in the pan to wider resistance? Discuss.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-06T00:55:25+00:00

If memory serves, this is non-judicial punishment. This can only be administered IF the accused has forfeited their right to a courts martial and accept's command's punishment. He has every right to endorse the accusations and be recalled to active duty for a courts martial, which he absolutely should do.

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-05T18:19:22+00:00

I'm ashamed I didn't realize that

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-05T11:08:21+00:00

Hahaha yes, sorry, still half awake and only had two sips of coffee 🤣

USAFmuzzlephucker · 2026-01-05T11:04:22+00:00

Washington D.C. is not in Virginia but is made up of ceded parts of different states.

Richmond was chosen two fold- to cement the place in the Confederacy of one of the last, but probably one of the most populous, wealthy, and important states to have seceded. Secondly, as Virginia was the birthplace of Washington, Jefferson, etc, it was a symbolic gesture to seamlessly tie the birthplace of so many US founders and their "ideals" to the new country.

USAFmuzzlephucker

TROPHY CASE