Not that this affects anyone greatly here, but I thought it would be very interesting to know. As some of you know, I work at the Atlanta History Center. The Curator of Military History there has been a ACW re-enactor all his life, hates farbs, and is a kindred spirit. In having this interest, he's doing his dissertation on the living history movement! I personally find the topic to be VERY fascinating. He's basically out to show that REAL re-enactment and living history has become a driving force in the overall study of history, owing to particular groups' intense attention to detail and authenticity. Naturally, his focus is on ACW but he's trying to include all periods. He's even including European re-enactors to present an international view.

I hear the term "FARB" all the time in ACW circles. What does it mean? People seem to know that it has to do with those who are not up to "Code" with the accurate crowd, but what is the root word or acronym for this term?

Inquiring minds want to know.

~J

Jenn, I'm not sure where "farb" came from. The great thing is, apparently, he intends to include a discussion of the entymology (sp) of the word. He's not sure where it came from, but he's researching it. In my opinion (I've discussed this with him over ales ) I think part of really being a farb is misinforming others. For example, there are a couple of really good early medieval groups out there, but the large majority of mail worn is butted. Of course it's wrong, and they know it's wrong, but the difference is they'll readily ACKNOWLEDGE it's wrong to anyone who asks, or acts remotely interested. Doing a norman era knight would be impossible for 99% of people to do if riveted mail was required, not only because of the cost prohibitiveness, but there just aren't enough people out there making it (correctly) to get a kit together in under 3-5 years.