one of the problems with dressing up as a Reb is the fact that they really didn't have much uniformity of gear.
case in point, most folks think of the Rebs as being uniformed in gray suits.
no (as I am certain you know).
most of them were in homespun and butternut, and not at all a "uniform" as such - just (hopefully) sturdy clothes with a couple of deep pockets for ammo and sundries.
the CSMC was ALL uniformed from one British firm, until VERY late in the war. the CSMC was a SMALL & ELITE unit of about 650 men at arms.
furthermore, there was a "disconnect" between what President Davis & Judah Benjamin wanted & what the Admirals & COL Beall wanted.
Davis/Benjamin wanted an "Imperial Guard" of the style of the European powers "elite forces", i.e., they wanted the CSMC to be "pretty before everything", thus the plentora of FANCY uniforms.
otoh, the CSN high command AND COL Beall wanted a small,especially trained, deadly, naval raiding/boarding force, which would "instill mortal fear in the DAMNyankees".
this "disconnect" remained throughout the WBTS & caused untold "problems of employment" for the Corps!
1.the corps was issued 1853 Enfield muskets with British-style bayonets, with the sole exception of the company at Savannah (which was issued Austrian, .54caliber, rifled muskets!)
2.the "medium gray" blouses were made LONG (more than halfway from waist to kneecap), compared to the ANV uniform blouse & trimmed in BLACK tape at the neckline, epaulets, wrist & belt-line. (black was the branch color of marines.)
3.the trousers were BLUE for winter, taped along the out-seam with 1/2 inch black tape. the summer trousers were WHITE duck, without tape.
4.the leather gear and packs were bought, all at one time, from the British Royal Rifle Regiment as SURPLUS. (YEP, the "green jackets", like "Lt Richard Sharpe"!)
5.the gray kepi was also British-made & matched the blouse color (with a navy blue top),with a "roman-style M" on the front plate. the PLUME for the dress helmet was RED. (the fancy brass helmets were ordered, but never delivered!)
so, you see, there is GOOD NEWS & BAD NEWS. yep, the marines were ALL uniformed alike, in "uniform" uniforms BUT those uniforms are HARD to find & $$$$$$$$$$.
free dixie,sw