Most participants are amateurs who engage in history as a hobby. Participants in this hobby range from young children whose parents bring them to events to the elderly. In addition to amateurs, military personnel and professional historians sometimes participate.
Categories of Reconstructionists
Reconstructionists are usually divided (or themselves divided) into several broadly defined categories based on their level of concern for authenticity. (These definitions and categorizations mostly apply to the United States. Other countries use other terms, slang, and definitions.)
Farbs
“Farbs” or “polyester soldiers” are reenactors who spend relatively little time and/or money on achieving authenticity in terms of uniforms, accessories, or behavior of the time. Anachronistic clothing, fabrics, fasteners (such as Velcro), snoods, shoes, cars, and modern cigarettes are common.
The origin of the word “farb” (and the derivative adjective “farby”) is unknown, although it appears to date from a 1960 or 1961 reconstruction of the Civil War century in the United States. Some think the word comes from a truncated version of the word “Far”. be it from the original “. An alternate definition is “I won’t question/criticize” or “A quick buy without research.” The humorous definition of “farb” is “Farb: Forget research, baby.” Some early reenactors argue that the word comes from the German Farbe, color, because non-genuine reenactors were too colorful compared to the dull blues, grays or browns of actual Civil War uniforms, which were the main concern of American reenactors at the time the word was coined. . According to Burton C. Cummerow, a member of “
Mainstream
Mainstream reenactors try to appear authentic, but may go out of character in the absence of an audience. Visible stitches will probably be stitched to fit the period, but hidden stitches and undergarments may not fit the period. Food consumed in front of an audience is likely to be generally period-appropriate, but may not be seasonally or locally appropriate. Modern items are sometimes used “after hours” or surreptitiously. The conventional wisdom is to put on a good show, but accuracy should come only as far as others see it.
Progressive
On the opposite side of the farbs are the “hardcore authenticators,” or “progressives,” as they are sometimes preferred to be called. Sometimes derisively called “staple counters,” “staple Nazis,” or “staple witches. “(T)he hardcore movement is often misunderstood and sometimes slandered.
Hard-core reconstructors usually value thorough research and sometimes ridicule mainstream reconstructors for perpetuating inaccurate “reconstructions.” They usually strive for “immersive” reenactments, trying to live as much as possible as someone from that time might have done. This includes eating food appropriate to the season and region, sewing interior seams and undergarments appropriate to the time period, and maintaining character throughout the event. The desire for an exciting experience often leads avid reenactors to smaller events or to set up separate camps at larger events.
Clothing and Equipment
Numerous cottage industries abound that provide not only materials, but even finished products for use by reenactors. Uniforms and clothing woven by hand from natural dyed materials are hand or machine sewn using the tailoring techniques of the period.
Particular attention to authenticity of design and construction is given to headgear, shoes, goggles, camping equipment, gear, military equipment, weapons, and so on. These items (which tend to be much more expensive than clothing and uniforms in modern production) offer the wearer a realistic experience using materials, sewing and manufacturing techniques that are as close to authentic as possible.
Event-goers may gain greater satisfaction from attending reenactments when a high level of authenticity is achieved in both individual clothing and equipment as well as in the gear used in the camp.