A rough guide to costs of uniform & equipment.

As before, this does not set out to be a comprehensive catalogue of prices, merely to give you an idea of what certain pieces of kit are likely to cost. Much of the uniform can be home- made following the correct period patterns and this can, substantially, reduce the overall cost.

Uniform and kit items can be borrowed for a limited period by new recruits to give them the time to obtain their own equipment without taking out a second mortgage.

As with all hobbies, you can spend as much or as little as you want but, bear in mind, your impression will suffer if you don't obtain the correct kit.

I will draw your attention to SoSkAn's Minimum Standards Policy (a copy of which can be seen on the website) which states that all new recruits have a maximum of one year to meet the required standard.

Jacket         Approx cost £30 (home-made) £50-£85 (shop bought)

Trousers    Approx cost £30-£45 dependent on whether home-made or shop bought.

Hats               Kepis - approx cost £25

                           Slouch hats - anywhere from £35 up to over £80 so check before buying.

                           Forage hats - approx cost £35

Boots            Between £60-£85

Shirt               Home-made approx £15, shop bought approx £5-£35

Socks            Shop bought approx £10-£30. Can be home knitted for less of course

Braces/suspenders    Canvas only, approx £10-£25

Cartridge Box                Between £25 and £65 approx, dependent on if you have a cross strap.

Cap pouch                        Approx £12.50-£20

Haversack                         Plain canvas approx £15-20; Union tarred version approx £20-£35.

Canteen                              Wooden or tin, covered or bare. approx cost £20-£40

Knapsack                          Approx £50 (optional)

Belts and buckles    Plain frame buckles approx £5-£10; Virginia State Plates approx £25; Oval CS or US varieties approx cost £17.50-£20. Any black or natural leather belt is acceptable with the correct buckle so cost varies widely.

Musket                                Enfield 3 band muskets are available in "Indian Pattern" versions which go for about £200. Euroarms Enfields (better quality) cost approx £300. Springfield muskets cost in the region of £300-£350.

Bayonet                            Bayonets approx cost £30-£35 with scabbard.

Membership Costs  SoSkAn membership costs are as follows:

    Family membership        £50.00

    Single adult (18 yrs +)    £30.00

    Postal member               £22.00

    Junior (14-17 yrs)            £20.00

    Cadet (10-13 yrs)            £12.00

Guest fees - Fighting          £7.50

Guest fees - non-fighting   £5.00

Licences                    Shotgun licence (required by law) cost in the region of £47.00 and last for 5 years.

                                           Black Powder Certificates are also needed but are free and last one year