SECTION 5 -- UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS

5.1 APPLICATION OF UNIFORM REGULATIONS

These regulations shall apply only to units while participating in official skirmish activities, namely the musket, carbine and revolver company matches and the accompanying artillery competitions. Organizations are encouraged, for maintaining the principle of presenting authentic appearance of the Civil War period, to adopt and follow closely these regulations in their unofficial activities, such as parades, military balls and other dress occasions.

5.2 APPROVED UNIFORMS

The uniforms to be submitted for approval are those to be used in the musket, carbine and National and Regional company and artillery matches, including marching on the field. Such approved uniforms must be used at all times on those occasions unless permission is given by the company commander to remove coats. Regulation or Civil War-period pattern shirts must be worn if coats are removed. (October, 1998)

5.3 ACCEPTABLE UNIFORM MATERIALS

Recognizing the scarcity of 100% wool fabrics (as originally required by many military regulations) modern wool-blends, cotton, flannel, linen, duck, or man-made fibers may be used provided they give the appearance of the original cloth.

5.4 COMPLIANCE BY NEW ORGANIZATIONS

All new organizations must comply with these regulations upon being admitted as probationary organizations.

5.5 CONFEDERATE UNIFORMS

It is recognized that the typical Confederate soldier often did not wear Confederate regulation uniforms, or any uniform in some cases, for the simple reason that they were not available. Nevertheless, the Confederate soldier presented a unique, if not a strictly military appearance, which is desirable in the interest of authenticity to reproduce at skirmishes. Such nondescript appearance is provided for herein with the understanding that all visible civilian clothing used is of a pattern used during the Civil War period.

5.6 DISQUALIFICATION BY UNIFORM COMMITTEE

The Uniform Committee shall pass on the compliance with these regulations. Inspectors shall disqualify individuals and companies who fail to comply with these regulations. Appeal may be made through normal appeal procedures.

5.7 COATS

Jackets, blouses or coats shall be patterned after original regulations or patterns of the period, or the special uniform of some original organization whose uniform pattern is known to have existed and been used during the war.

5.8 HEADGEAR

Headgear may be kepis, forage caps, shakos, hats or fezzes, but must be of an original pattern known to have been used in the war. Headgear may include plastic materials for straps and cap bills.

5.9 PINS AND BADGES

Modern pins or badges of a pattern not worn during the war shall not be worn on any part of the uniform unless approved by N-SSA.

5.10 TROUSERS

Trousers should be patterned after the regulations of the period or be of a pattern known to have been used by the military organization. The use of suspenders is permitted provided they are similar in appearance to suspenders of the period and worn in the same manner.

5.11 SHIRTS

When worn exposed, shirts shall be patterned after a regulation military shirt of the period or a pattern known to have existed and been used by some military organization of the period during the war. Modern pattern shirts shall not be used. Modern-style underclothing shall not be worn exposed.

5.12 FOOTWEAR

The use of historically-correct footwear is encouraged.

5.12.1 SHOES

5.12.2 BOOTS

5.12.3 LEGGINGS

5.13 RAINCOATS AND OVERCOATS

When necessary for protection from inclement weather, raincoats, boots, caps, ponchos or overcoats of any kind may be used. However, organizations are encouraged to adopt uniformity in using these garments, preferably using pattern and cut of the Civil War period.

5.13.1 INCLEMENT WEATHER (definition)

a.	Rain -- In case of rain, modern rain gear may be used.
b.	Cold -- In case of temperatures below freezing (32^o F), modern outer wear may be utilized, although period outer wear is encouraged.
c.	Heat -- In cases of extreme heat (above 90^o F), resulting in a comfort level of 95^oF or higher, the requirement to wear approved uniforms at regional skirmishes shall be at the option of the skirmish director. (August 1994)

5.13.2 LIGHTNING

5.14 NAVAL UNIFORMS

Naval organizations shall adopt and use the regulation uniform of the U.S. or C.S. Navies of the Civil War period, or uniforms known to have been used by the naval services during the war.

5.15 CIVILIAN CLOTHING

5.15.1 CONFEDERATE CIVILIAN CLOTHING

5.15.2 CIVILIAN PATTERN SHIRTS

5.16 BUTTONS, INSIGNIA, BUCKLES, ETC.

All buttons, insignia. buckles. etc. used must comply with the regulations of the period or be patterned after those known to have been used by some military organization during the war. In no case may such be used that are of patterns of the Post-Civil War period.

5.17 INSIGNIA OF RANK

Officers of member organizations may wear rank insignia of non-commissioned officers of their respective branches of service. No participant may wear the uniform or insignia of a commissioned officer, except as provided in Article VII, Section 2 of the By-Laws.

5.18 EQUIPMENT

All equipment, including cartridge boxes and slings. belts. and buckles, rosettes, plates, swords, scabbards and slings, sidearms and holsters, bayonets and scabbards, haversacks and knapsacks, and other equipment used or worn by skirmishers shall be of regulation patterns used during the war, or as used by particular organizations during the war, and in no case may be of patterns post-dating the Civil War.

5.18.1 LEATHER GOODS

5.19 PROOF OF AUTHENTICITY

Organizations wishing to adopt uniforms, buttons, insignia, buckles, equipments, etc., which are not of regulation patterns but are believed or known to be of patterns which would still qualify under these regulations, are required to submit physical, photographic, or historically documented evidence of authenticity. Such evidence shall be maintained in the file of that organization, if approved; and a copy shall be kept in the Association's archives for future reference. If evidence is submitted other than by photograph, the Executive Secretary shall endeavor to photograph it for filing purposes. (October 1998)

5.20 CHANGES IN UNIFORMS

Any member organization wishing to modify its existing uniform or adopt an alternate or new uniform may do so at any time provided such changes comply with these rules and the By-Laws. The organization shall submit sufficient written and photographic description of the proposed changes to the Uniform Committee who shall approve the same unless there is obvious noncompliance with these rules.

5.21 USE OF ORIGINAL UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

Recognizing the necessity of historic preservation, the use of original uniforms and accoutrements is discouraged.