Servant & Co, Gettysburg

[Artyman]

Have any of you visited/shopped at Servant & Company at Centennial General Store in Gettysburg? Is it worth stopping in to see for guys like us? Quality?

Harry

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Have any of you visited/shopped at Servant & Company at Centennial General Store in Gettysburg? Is it worth stopping in to see for guys like us? Quality?"

One needs to amplify or define "guys like us."

IMHO, Servant's provides a quality service for the impulsive or inspired Gettysburg tourist/visitor interested in getting a "Civil War uniform." While there is a "mix" of products to choose from, the "quality" is below what one may find on Sutlers' Row at events, but the prices higher due to the "captured market."

If one is driven by the need for products more faithful to the standards of working form originals in terms of Period raw materials, Period forms/patterns/models, and Period methods of construction than IMHO Servant's is perhaps not the best place to shop.

But, as with anything and everything else in the CW Community, we all have different and differing views when it comes to what we need, like, and are willing to pay for it, so

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

[Artyman]

A non reenactor friend who likes history went to Gettysburg last year. During a uniform discussion over breakfast yesterday, he told me I should make a point to see the place. He even suggested we drive there next week just special to stop by Servant's. I'd go there just to see Gettysburg without leaves, and walk about with nobody else around, but I guess the real question is "should I bring my wallet?". I'm short on "stuff", but, for instance, the Fall Creek store is closer (4 hour drive) than Gettysburg (6 hour drive). There are other probably other shops even closer.

Harry

[PVT.THIB]

If you do end up going all the way to G-burg, stop in at S & S Sutler. They have some high quality goods and very nice folks.

[skamikaze]

Memories Past (formerly Servant & co) is no longer in business.

[retter]

Servant & Co sold out their business several years ago. The business that took their place went through several reincarnations, the last one being Memories Past. They apparently (and quickly) disappeared just after the Gburg event this year. When Servant's was in business they had decent stuff. Campaigner's might have looked down on it but it was above mainstreamm sutler row. If you go to Gburg by all means hit S&S Sutler and Regt Quartermaster.

[Rob Weaver]

I think Servant's difficulty was they tried to appeal to the cross-over market: the low-end reenactor and the deep-pocketed tourist at the same time. I've had stuff from them. What I had was comparable to other large sutlers/ Their customer service, however, was terrible. I got railroaded into purchasing a frock coat in a size 4 sizes too big because the salesperson could tell that the purchaser (it was to be a gift from my mother, I wasn't buying) didn't know squat. She purchased it in October. When it arrived in December, it was massively too large and Servant's would not take it in return because it was after the 30 day return policy. Suffice to say, I never bought anything there again, told this story often and now they are history. Along the way, I heard many other customer service nightmares.

[Artyman]

Thanks for the heads up guys. You know, of all the times I've been to Gettysburg, I never went into the down town for anything other than driving through. Looks like there are several shops there to check out. If any of you know of sutlers between North Central Ohio and G berg then let me know. I'm going over there right after Turkey Day.

Thanks

Harry

[13th NHV]

I agree with all the posters above. Take a visit to S&S out west of town near the Seminary. They are great people and you will find the QUALITY you hopefully desire. Not to be presumptous, of course. The Regimental Quartermaster on Steinwehr Ave. is a good alternative if your budget requires it.

And please continue to use this forum, and others with the mistakes behind them, to keep asking questions so you not be wasting your hard-earned capital on shoddy gear. You will be glad you did.

[biggumbo]

If you're bringing the wallet to Gettysburg and are looking for headgear take a stop by Dirty Billy's as well, even if just to browse. I pre-ordered a telescoped Hardee Hat (m1858) in advance of the 145th GAC this year, picked it up prior to the event, and it is far and away my favorite hat now. He's just south of Lincoln Square on Baltimore Street.

[Artyman]

Like many of us, if not most of us, I can tell quickly what's good and what ain't. The bottom line is the committment of time and $$$ to drive to a place only to find it lacking. This is, as you say, a great advantage of forums. It helps prevent mistakes. Fall Creek was pretty good and worth the drive over there. Heck, I'm still eating the hardtack I bought there. Problem is, its hard to find quality uniform stuff that fits, is the right color, just hanging there in stock ready to buy, wear home, and defarb. Even when I made up Rev War Regimentals I had a size large set ready to deliver for the new recruits. Can't blame the Sutlers though, these are hard times and every $ counts. Just makes it harder to get started.

Gonna have to get some new uniform books too. Mine are all dating back to before we knew very much, the newest being the old Time Life Civil War series. They are like using bubble gum cards to document impressions!

Harry

[Artyman]

His "Longstreet" hat is fabulous, not to mention the "Buford" model. That would be a great place to see!

Wow, mu trip is getting more and more planned out every minute!

Thank

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

How d' ye!

"Problem is, its hard to find quality uniform stuff that fits, is the right color, just hanging there in stock ready to buy, wear home, and defarb."

That depends on one's Mental Picture.

For example, Tim Sheads of S & S across from the Seminary in Gettysburg carries examples of the so-called "high end" makers such as Duvall, Warheim, Hock, Nolan, etc., "on the rack."

The advantage is that one can try items on, and leave the store with them without the problems sometimes associated with vendors promising but not delivering "in stock," or back orders that can drag out for years, or size and sizing issues between makers, etc., etc.

Perhaps unfortunately, when it comes to uniform items, S & S has evolved to be more CS in nature, with a sprinkling of US -although gear may go both ways.

And there is nothing to "defarb." Of course, if one's Mental Picture calls for items that need to be defarbed, IMHO, S & S is not the place to shop.

Off Season, one may want to check their hours as not to be disappointed.

CHS

[Bill_Cross]

My last trip to G'burg, Regimental Quartermaster was carrying a little higher quality product. But in terms of buying excellent gear off-the-rack, S&S a few doors down is the place to go. As has been pointed out already, most of their products lean to the Confederate, with a fair amount of off-beat, odd-ball items for more specialty impressions. Eric "Spit" (or "Tit" after his last ration issue of sow belly) Deer once purchased a South Carolina frock coat at S&S that fit him like it had been made to order, but it's not a coat he can wear all that often.

If you are looking for PEC clothing for an impression that will do for most events, then I would look at some of the vendors on the Authentic Campaigner Forum. Their quality is all uniform, their reputations are impeccable, and you will not go wrong. While we stich-counters will argue whether a Sekela or a Dan Wambaugh is better, the fact of the matter is that the real products back then varied in quality and color according to the fabrics available at the time, the manufacturer, the seamsters/seamstresses (Mike Murley has pointed out that 19th Century mass production meant making 1 thing a thousand times rather than making a thousand of 1 thing at once).

[KarinTimour]

Make sure that you have the correct address for S&S, as it has moved from the "sutler row" down by the old visitor's center/McDonalds/Wax Museum end of town.

It's now located behing the Sheeds' home, very close to Lee's Headquarters, across the street from the Seminary, which is on the other side of town. As others have noted, it's well worth a visit, but you should check their hours beforehand or even give them a call to make sure they'll be open when you're there.

Hope that's helpful,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[jda3rd]

You would likely enjoy coming down to Nashville for the Civil War relic show in early December. It's a fairly big event, and always worth the drive.

Frank

[Revolution Rising]

I went to Servant's back when it was still the sutler... I got a hat there back in probably 03' or 04' which I love and use to this day. Great quality, and it was about $22. In 2006 the guys in my regiment got me a gift certificate for my birthday, and I got a new pair of brogans. They're great brogans, and have held up a lot better than a lot of my friends' brogans from various sutlers.

deletion - THP; negative posts on sutlers and vendors

S&S is nice but way out of my price range. If you've got some cash to blow, go for it, though.

[54thovi]

Definitely the best place. It does require more $$$ but you get get your monies worth. Also, when it becomes time to resell you will see more of your hard earned $$$ back than with cheaper stuff. Not to mention that the items are reproduction uniforms and not costumes.

As to hours, if you call Mr. Sheads ahead of time, he can open the store by appointment. Great place to shop and to hang out. I enjoy going to S.G. Marinos as well.

John Feagin

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Other side of town."

Or, if one has a Day One, Confederate point-of-view, S & S is on the "near" side of town, on the north side of Rt 30, across the lawn from the Seminary, and the gentle slope eventually leading to the center of town.

IMHO, "Servant's" was a "niche vendor." Meaning that they well served a particular 'niche' in the hobby as well as the impulsive tourist visitor markets.
Yes, the majority of their wares were what one could find on any mainstream Sutlers' Row, or less, but often with an inflated Gettysburg "captive audience" pricing structure that exceeded what a similar quality or better item could be had for on a Sutlers' Row..
I would pop in for their Waterbury buttons when I needed some.

A good pard of mine was thrown out of their store when he asked some questions about a frock coat. Maybe it was just a bad day.

IMHO, as with any reproduction item, different lads hold different values for their dollars spent and the quality received in terms of "authenticity" and what works, or does not work, for them and their Mental Pictures.

While Servant's is now closed, their wares will be circulating around some portion of the reenacting community for a while longer.
And, for the 10 or 12 year old tourist boy whose father sprung to get him an outfit there- the joy and memories will last longer than that.

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

[Rob Weaver]

Curt: That's a good point. At the time Servant's was open and doing a land office business, there weren't many sutlers with a "brick and mortar" store, and the Internet wasn't the force it is now. It was very convenient to be able to drive by virtually any day and buy stuff. It was also helpful to family looking for Christmas presents.

[johnerys]

Harry I agree with stopping at Dirty Billy's, both myself and Capt Van Wey wear his beehive slouch hat and it was wrth every penny. Man I wish I could make the trip with you.

[Parault]

I too purchased a Dirty Billy while attending GAC. It was a visit well worth taking. With more money and more time, there's no telling what I would have came out of there with.

[emmitt]

Speaking of Memories Past, I purchased a Federal kepi from them back before they moved from their Steinwehr location and simply love it but I'm looking to pick up another one. It was manufactured by "The Depot" out of Shepherdstown, WV. Do any of you know a sutler who carries that "brand"?

Oh, my names Emmitt. Glad you meet you. :)

[skamikaze]

"the Depot" is their own fictitious "maker's label" that they put in their hats. They were contracting them out from some pakistani maker last I saw.

If you bought you cap from them in the last 3 years, you may want to reconsider its quality. Their caps were poorly made from shoddy materials and a bogus pattern. I used to be involved with the owners and talked to them regularly about the low quality of their caps. They said it was something they were going to "get around to."

My advise is to spend the money and get a quality forage cap from a good maker. Also, stay away from the kepi, and get a forage cap, as thats what the 61st PA was issued.

[emmitt]

Ah, well that explains it.

This was well over 3 years ago and I mispoke when I said kepi, as it is a shorter crowned forage. I'm saving up for a Dirty Billy forage assuming I can catch him when he is open. It's sort of become a running joke that everytime I stop by the shop is closed. :)

Thank you for your advice.