Sutlers
Hi Everyone!!
I wasn't sure were this forum would go, so I put it here, like my other ones.
I've been going back and forth with this issue for a long time. I was wondering if C&C Sutlery made quality uniforms, compared to some others like Otter Creek and CJ Daley. That's where I brought my first uniform from. I was wondering if I should go to another sutler, like Regimental QuarterMaster or Orchard Hill and buy a new uniform that is more authentic looking.
I wanted to know what your opinions were on C&C, and also about some of the others like Fall Creek, Regimental QM, etc. If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be great, because there seems to be alot of talk on reenacting forums about what's authentic and not. I'm kind of confused about what's authentic or not and where to buy the gear. (This has been the talk on the reenacting forums)
If anyone has any advice, please let me know. Thanks
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Private Jared D. Johnson Company A, 3rd Maine Regiment of Volunteer Infantry
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Quality
Jared,
First – talk with the NCO’s and members of the 3rd Maine that have been around a while. They are the best source.
Second – determine what you can afford. I would venture to guess that shelling out $200 for a pair of trousers and $300 for sack coat from County Cloth may not be what you can afford.
With that said, places like Country Cloth, CJ Daley, NJ Sekela and Skilletlicker are on the high end of the price range but do have a higher quality product. They use better material (weave, weight, dye), have visited the museums to do the hands on research (costs money), have the differences figured out between the different arsenals, etc. If a garment is hand sewn, that is time consuming and you pay for that.
C & C’s fresh fish package is cheap for a reason; it is generic and not as high quality. I know – it was my 1st uniform.
Regimental QM, C & D Jarnagin and Blockade Runner bridge the gap between the cheap and the high end. C & D and Blockade Runner can be very slow in filling orders – it does take time to make something up for you if not on the shelf.
For shoes – I love my Robert Land shoes. Very comfortable and well made.
Another option is used gear – some times there is good stuff listed on the AC and CWR. Same with eBay.
Last point, but should be your fist/second step – your impression is more important than your uniform. Read the books on how soldiers lived as well as how they fought and what they wore. Example: Billy Yank, Echoes of Glory, Civil War Historian magazine. Columbia Rifles Research Compendium vol2 is spoken of very highly – (I pointed it out to Santa and she kicked me out of R.QM and was observed walking to the car with a bag – so come Christmas Day, I will crack those pages). Next year, the Watchdog will the publishing the Confederate verson “Wearing the Gray” – that will be high on my list as well. So – knowledge is the best thing to have, use it to your advantage…
Hope I have helped some.
Kindest Regards,
Marc Averill
29thGA
Better Quality Coat, Trousers, etc
Hi,
Thanks for the info. I appericate it. Thats' what I had heard from other members in the unit.
I was wondering now if I should upgrade to a better quality coat and trousers. I do have the money. Everything else is fine with the kit, like leathers and things.
I'm fairly new to the hobby, beginning in July of 2005. I just wanted to see what the opinion was on buying a better quality coat, etc. I've been thinking about this for sometime and I wanted to see where others got theres from and what they think.
In my opinion, I think I should upgrade to a better coat, etc. Probably some place from Reg. QM or C&D Jarnagin. I've looked at their stuff online. And as you said, they are in the middle, not to expensive or low-quality.
Bu anyways, I just wanted to ask what the opinion on that was. I really appericate your advice and have been using it in the past. Thanks again.
Sincerley and Respectfully,
Private Jared Johnson
Company A, 3rd Maine Regiment of Volunteer Infantry
"God Bless the Union"
question
Marc, you mentioned
"some times there is good stuff listed on the AC and CWR" What are those sites?"
thanks
deb
Deb, The Authentic
Deb,
The Authentic Campaigner: www.authentic-campaigner.com
The Civil War Reenactors: www.cwreenactors.com
Marc Averill
29thGA
Other options
For Authenticity the Third Maine personally has always relied on the old faithful C&D Jarnagin and Regimental Quartermaster are always great and a little more affordable. I personally have always loved Fall Creek because it has a fairly quality product at the most reasonable of prices (a majority of the time).
However the premiere authentic Sutler is Provisional Supply. They are run by reenactors for reenactors. They actually supply the Museum at Gettysburg. However, the prices are very high as it is the best product on the market. All uniforms are made to exact specifications and some are made with original machines. You can request your stamps and markings to be as close to your unit as possible. I would suggest this type of purchase for the most serious of reenactors.
I hope this is helpful. And as I am one of those mentioned 3rd ME NCO's just ask me next time we are together for an event.
http://www.provisionalsupply.com/
http://www.jarnaginco.com/
Sgt. Matthew Bray
3rd ME Vols.
"Can't lead from behind"