Model 1840 Musicians' Sword and Belt
This was part of the standard U.S. issue equipment of a musician. The blade was 26 inches long with a simple brass handle. It was carried either by a shoulder sling (baldric), which had an eagle breastplate, or by a frog attached to the waist belt (as shown) worn on the left side. The sword would be appropriate for early war impressions (1861-1862) or for garrison duty. Many Union musicians of the war found the sword to be useless and cumbersome so they just tossed it aside, however a few kept it as it was their only mean of defense. The sword is also appropriate for parades or honor guard, but unless you are planning to be a musician for a long time, do not bother spending the money to purchase it. The issue belt for Union musicians and NCO's was a two piece belt plate with an eagle and silver wreath on the front. The belt itself is adjustable in length. Also acceptable for musicians is the common oval US belt plate. As for Confederates, the sword was not issued and any common Confederate belt was used.

Haversack and Canteen
The U.S. issue haversack shown is a canvas bag painted with a black water-repellent tar. Confederates used similar bags, some without the black tar. Rations, as well as cooking and eating utensils, were kept inside the haversack. The canteen is the U.S. model 1862 bullseye canteen, which has corrugated sides for strength. Confederates had similar canteens, both tin and wooden. The haversack and canteen were often worn on the left side.

Knapsack and Blanket
This Union double bag knapsack is painted with the same oil based black tar as the haversack. Things such as the gum blanket, shelter half, extra clothing, and personal items were carried in this pack. This is just one of many models used by both Union and Confederate troops. It was common for regimental designation to be painted on the outside of the pack. U.S. blankets varied from grays to browns, and Confederates often also used blankets from home. Here, a brown U.S. blanket one is strapped to the top.

Gum Blanket
Probably the best piece of equipment ever invented is the gum blanket. It is made of a piece of material backed by a thin coating of rubber. This useful piece can be used as a ground cloth, poncho, tent flap, insulating blanket, and as a tarp to transport straw. Both Union and Confederate soldiers had this available to them.

Shelter Half
Each man carried with him one half of a tent, so when the troops made camp, two men would pair up, button their tents together, and then share the tent. It was made of a light weight canvas material, and both sides used the shelter tents when available.

STUFF.
Here are some cooking and eating utensils, as well as personal items, that a soldier, Union or Confederate, might carry with him to make his time away from home all that more comfortable.

Cooperman Fife and Drum Company
Essex Industrial Park PO Box 276
Centerbrook, CT 06409

Phone: 860-767-1779
Fax: 860-767-7017

Website: http://www.cooperman.com
Email: info@cooperman.com

Florance Drum Company
HC 65, Box 13
Honesdale, PA 18431

Phone: 570-253-4797

Website: http://www.florance-drums.com
Email: info@florance-drums.com

Heritage Drum Company
4021 Apollo Dr. SW.
Huntsville, AL 35805

Phone: 256-533-5498

Website: http://members.home.net/bbaccus2/heritage2.htm
Email: RopeDrum@aol.com

Ed Boyle's Model F Fifes

Website: http://www.beafifer.com/modelf.htm
Email: ewboyle@rcn.com

Drum Sticks and Sling
Drum sticks of the time period were often thin, slender, and had a high finish. They were usually stained dark brown or black and had a nice polish. It seems as though the drum sticks were not simply pieces of wood, but things which were thought of very highly. Drum slings were made of webbed cotton with a belt and buckle adjustment for the hook so the drum could be raised or lowered in height. Cooperman makes excellent slings and a variety of styles of drum sticks.

Drum Stick Carriage
This was a holder for drum sticks which could be attached to the sling or to the waist belt. They were often brass and standard issue to drummers. The device is really unnecessary as it is fairly heavy, and drum sticks can easily be slipped into a haversack while on the march.

Ornaments
A unique little something to have on your cap or uniform is an ornament designating you as a musician. The left picture is a lyre, which was the "insignia" for a musician. The right picture is of an excavated drum pin, dug from Boonsboro, Md. These are simply for decoration and are not at all necessary; they are just something that you might happen to pick up along your travels.

Music Books
What good is a musician if he does not know any calls or music? The only way to learn period tunes and the proper calls is to get a hold of at least a few Civil War fife and drum manuals, such as Bruce and Emmett's Fifers' and Drummers' Guide shown here. The best supplier of these books is from the store on FIFEandDRUM.com Books are not the only things sold there - CD's are also available, as well as the only actual Civil War reproduction fifes available. Be sure to check out the store for many items.