Choosing your Impression

Early War Impression

1. 1859 Berdan Sharps Rifle
2. Green forage cap
3. Green frock coat
4. Blue or green trousers Berdans were issued both.
5. Leathers:  Belt and buckle, cap pouch, cartridge box with small cartridge box plate.
6. Canteen with jean wool cover and leather or canvas sling.
7. Haversack
8. Brogans
9. Calf Hide Knapsack with blanket and mess kit.
10. (not pictured) Leather leggins

The early war impression can be the most expensive if purchased outright.  A well tailored frock could cost $200 or more and the calf hide knapsack about $550 new.  The rifle can be purchased used online at places like gunbroker.com or sometimes new for about $1,400.  However, by only subtracting a few items from the kit, it's quite affordable.  A few sutlers sell lesser, though perfectly acceptable Berdan gear quite reasonably.  With study, you can also learn how to mix-match your impression as Berdans were notorious for doing.

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Late War Impression  

1. 1859 Berdan Sharps Rifle
2. Green forage cap
3. Blue sack coat or fatigue blouse
4. Sky blue trousers
5. Jean wool canteen with either leather or canvas sling
6. Leathers:  belt and buckle, cap pouch, cartridge box with small cartridge box buckle.
7. haversack
8. brogans
9. double knapsack

Now, this is titled as "late war" for simplicity but plenty of documentation shows many Berdans were issued this pretty much right away due to issues with uniform production and was most commonly seen in the the 2nd regiment.  It's important to understand that studying Berdan uniforms is like going through a worm hole.  Why?  Well, after a few battles, Berdans started to quickly look like this impression.  Their irregular issue uniforms were difficult to replace and some just chose to ditch them but they almost always kept their green forage cap.  This is however one of the cheapest impressions for someone to start with.  You can get "mainstream" gear as seen for only a couple hundred dollars.  However, if you plan on being in the hobby for a long time be sure to talk to the Captain or the 1st Sgt on those things worth buying "campaigner" or "museum" quality.
     You'll also notice that the "Hair Trunk" or calf hide knapsack is missing.  A number of the 1st USSS lost them quickly after being told to ditch their packs at an engagement during the peninsula campaign.  While they were "lost" it's likely to believe the high quality packs were just stolen by envious soldiers.  Losing one's pack was common for green recruits who quickly learned it was better to fight with it on than to go bed without your bed kit and dry socks.  This is why our unit really encourages people to create a campaign impression even if all they can afford to put in their knapsack is a blanket.​

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