Berdan Sharpshooter Uniforms and Gear Pt 1

Co. D, 2nd USSS demonstrates some of the gear commonly worn by Berdan's Sharpshooters. Questions or video requests? Please leave us a comment. For more information please visit our website at www.2ndUSSS.com. Filmed by Pvt. Severson
Sorry for the abrupt end, the weather got the best of the camera.

[@couespursuit7350]

My Great Great Uncle ended up as CO Co C Second US Regulars. He died of his wounds while holding the line against the Confederate attack on the Union right last day of Second Bull Run. One of his letters home described a sniper duel between a Berdan Sharpshooter with a telescopic sighted rifle and Confederate sharpshooter around the works besieging Yorktown VA.

[@droc6927]

Great videos. New to subscribing and watching. My 3rd great Grandfather was Captain Silas Owen of the USS Primrose and was part of the Potomac Flotilla, but also served on other ships from the Second Opium War, until the end of the Civil War

[@alexsacco776]

Awesome video as usual. After COVID is over I want to hit up a re-enactment

[@cblodg1]

I do reenacting with a guy who used to do sharpshooter impression. Can't remember what unit he was with for sharpshooter but I always wanted to do this impression.

[@ThatVicGuy]

AAAHHHHHH THAT WIND

[@JohnnyButtons]

Really love what you guys are doing!!! Thank you for teaching th current generations about our history. #HistoricTown

[@DarthMercanto]

Hi! Is this still an active company :)? I am hoping to order a M1859 Double Set trigger Sharps rifle this year (with any luck I'll have it by the end of the summer, though in Canada these things can take a while), and I am very interested in trying out the Berdan's Sharpshooters. I've been reenacting for five years, and doing Civil War reenacting for three. I usually portray line infantry, though I do have experience skirmishing. Sharpshooting sounds like something a bit different and very exciting! XD

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Mr. Mercanto very alive and active. We are out of Washington State. Feel free to visit our website at 2ndusss.com my contact info is on there and we can see if we can get the ball rolling. Capt Whitehall

[@cheesebandit6148]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Washington you say? That's my state, too. I might be interested in the near future.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

@@cheesebandit6148 feel free to shoot me an email, it's at www.2ndusss.com

[@davidrobinson7062]

Good job..and well done...

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks! We appreciate it. If there's other gear you have any questions about please let us know.

[@Nelson-rh7og]

Company D 2nd USSS sargent why do you not carry the model 1840 NCO sword and red NCO sash? just asking

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I actually got an original M1840 sword made by W. Clauberg this off season, you might see in future videos. The USSS tried to avoid standing out and NCOs on campaign often didn't rock the sash and sword. Doing a shooting Indian Rush with a sword knocking at the knees isn't very graceful. I sometimes sash up for drill or living history demos. Great question!

[@Nelson-rh7og]

Thanks! You guys are the best group of reanactors i have ever seen!

[@3rdgr2t11]

Company D 2nd USSS dude what state is this

[@karljoachimgoll]

Pt 2 ?

[@joesmith4438]

Thinking about joining a shapshooter regiment what gear should I get for starters

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

First, check with the unit you're considering joining. They may have specific uniform guidelines. They also may have loaner gear available or used gear for sale. We always recommend getting your own canteen first preferably one with a jean wool cover. Like what you see in our canteen video. If you're currently a union reenactor, you probably wouldn't need much if the unit does a late war impression. If you'd like more information, Cpt. Whitehall did a series of articles on our website going into detail on Sharpshooter gear. You can check it out here: www.2ndusss.com/uniforms-and-gear/previous/2 And of course, keep in touch.

[@wrxs1781]

They used the term water bottle, canteen came later. Very interesting video.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks!

[@jaywinters2483]

Put foam over microphone to stop the wind noise.

[@bryankisner4918]

where did you get that mess kit .. please

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

bryan kisner Dixie Tinworks

[@Nelson-rh7og]

how do you guys supply new recruits with guns or do they start off as a regular private at all? i heard something about runners what is that? THANKS!😀

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

By updating gear over years we have one or two loaner Sharps and a couple of target rifles that can be borrowed for events until people save up and can buy their own. With a Sharps costing between $900 and $1,500 we have a decent amount of patience for people to save up. We also earn money from living history events and put those funds in our company account that is managed by our treasurer. After discussion and a vote, we've used those funds to buy loaner gear, a rifle, and recently our regimental flag. Everyone starts as a private and we teach our company not to be rank obsessed. Doing an excellent private impression is a lot of work to do right and often over looked. What little rank we have in our company is based on experience, leadership qualities, knowledge, voting, gear and numbers. As the ranking NCO and knowing all the work involved, I can't understand why anyone would want rank. There was one unit once over here at one event that had 7 officers and nco's and 1 private. Don't be that unit! We also recruit carefully and if a young person has the chops to be in Co. D before they are old enough to carry a rifle we train them in all the responsibilities, decorum, and military culture. No day care here! We will employ our youngest recruits that make the cut as runners until they can carry a rifle. They still drill with us but on the field are tasked with carrying messages from the captain to our NCOs or over to battalion. They relay messages, orders, and field maneuvers accurately and at a dead run. Being sharpshooters, they often have to traverse rough terrain and back trails that the line infantry almost never touch. They have also served as orderlies to the captain (a wildly overlooked position) and are often first assigned to fatigue details. Hard work and earning your way up in the unit is the same for everyone and builds a rock solid esprit d'corps.

[@Nelson-rh7og]

Company D 2nd USSS thank you i may implement these habits of your group into my young sharpshooter group THANKS!

[@prestonalbertsen1128]

Where did private turnin get her frock

[@prestonalbertsen1128]

Did private turnin get her frock from the same place that Captain Whitehall got his frock when he was a private

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Hi Preston. That frock is made of the same material as mine (captain Whitehall). It is made out of Hainsworth wool out of England, it can be a little pricey for just the material alone and then has to be sewn by a very good tailor.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Feel free to shoot me an email Preston. Its listed on our website at www.2ndusss.com/

[@prestonalbertsen1128]

Ok thank you so much

[@prestonalbertsen1128]

Is it how accurate is it

[@stevenmc56]

You would want nutten shiny or something that would make noise these people where out in the front; Front think about it !

[@stacymcardle]

Interesting, informative. thanks! And, wow - Captain Whitehall is very handsome. No disrespect meant.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks for watching. We're constantly updating our kits and gear as new research comes up.

[@dorothyconrad2750]

Please tell me where you purchased your rifle and knapsack.

[@ethanbugs17]

Hi Dorothy, we get our "hair trunks" from American Civil War Knapsacks. Berdan Sharps can be found at many places on the internet. Best source would be Cableas.

[@rebellious_greaser5737]

I'm not a reinactor yet,but I am a juicy Confederate

[@bunkstagner298]

Purty interesting except for the fact that you Bluebelly Yankees wasnt playing fair. Youns was a shooting at them southern heros armed with smoothe bore muskets. Not fair just plain not fair.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Not to mention we climbed trees, shot officers and musicians, and took cover every chance we could!

[@kaletovhangar]

Bunk Stagner Well,South also had sharpshooters with dedicated rifled muskets,although not in equall numbers and quality.

[@Civilwar.relics]

RIFLEMAN. There buttons even say it, the Confederate buttons have the R. Sharpshooter is modern if you wanna see Civil War riffeman buttons i did a video on both Confederate and Federal