Authentic, 'Period' Wood Chairs?

[Dispatch]

Hello,
I am searching for someone who carries or produces a historically correct civil war period chair. I am in need of 2 chairs. I prefer the Windsor style, but I'm open to any serious suggestions. These can be seen in actual civil war photos, with officers sitting on them while in and around camp. I prefer this style on account of its spacious comfort and authentic factor. And yes, I looked into modern furniture stores that carry these but what they have are way too fancy and expensive to be used for outside. Even unfinished would be more acceptable. Its not about the money its about practicality, in that they will slowly become marked/damaged and worn as they get used in camp. If anyone makes/carries, or knows of someone who does please reply here or PM directly. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. ;)

-Steve Davis.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

http://www.bobdillonwindsorchairs.com/ The answer's just blowing in the wind. Bob Dillon makes the best repro Windsor chairs. As for other fine repro camp chairs, also go to www.njsekela.com.

[Spinster]

Pricing on excellent correctly reproduced period windsors is often heart stopping. The lovely little "Windsor bottom" short stool that I use to keep me off the ground when threading a loom retails in the $300 range.

In looking for bargain pricing, you'll have a couple of choices.

First, what do you make of similar quality and time committment that the craftsman wants? If you take the time to develope a skill, and a relationship with other craftsmen, many marvelous things may come your way. One of my projects this year is a specific reproduction sought by my Windsor Man that will result in a fine red Windsor armchair landing at my house sometime this summer. I'll be out less than $100 in cash money for a fine piece of work that retails in the $1000 range. But I'll have time in the trade and years of accumulated skill in my craft.

Or, you can go vintage--spend your weekends haunting estate sales and crawling out country barns, or drive the length of the Highway 127 yard sale next August. Somewhere in those four days of piling junk in my van, amoung other thing I had a Windsor that needed some glue and clamps. I don't know which lucky Federal soldier was observant enough to haul that piece of loot from the "Bummers" event last fall, but somebody got a bargain for their registration fee.

[Dispatch]

Pricing on excellent correctly reproduced period windsors is often heart stopping. The lovely little "Windsor bottom" short stool that I use to keep me off the ground when threading a loom retails in the $300 range.

In looking for bargain pricing, you'll have a couple of choices.

First, what do you make of similar quality and time committment that the craftsman wants? If you take the time to develope a skill, and a relationship with other craftsmen, many marvelous things may come your way. One of my projects this year is a specific reproduction sought by my Windsor Man that will result in a fine red Windsor armchair landing at my house sometime this summer. I'll be out less than $100 in cash money for a fine piece of work that retails in the $1000 range. But I'll have time in the trade and years of accumulated skill in my craft.

Or, you can go vintage--spend your weekends haunting estate sales and crawling out country barns, or drive the length of the Highway 127 yard sale next August. Somewhere in those four days of piling junk in my van, amoung other thing I had a Windsor that needed some glue and clamps. I don't know which lucky Federal soldier was observant enough to haul that piece of loot from the "Bummers" event last fall, but somebody got a bargain for their registration fee.

Yes, you are absolutley correct. Even the vendor Ross suggests, his cheapest chair is $400.00! I have found the same exact quality Windsor chairs for half the price of his($223.00), from vermont windsors.com. I was hoping to find a couple of 'seconds' or a couple of Windsors that have been sitting in a warehouse some where and they just want rid of them. Thats what I want. Not to invest in pieces that should go in my living room. I will keep checking around but if anyone has any more suggestions, I appreciate the heads up. Thanks to all for your help. ;)

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

When you underlined the words "historically correct", I assumed you wanted the the best available. That may or may not be the case, but if it is, keep checking out estate sales, yard sales, and second hand stores.

[Dispatch]

I thought I made myself clear, I guess I did not. "And yes, I looked into modern furniture stores that carry these but what they have are way too fancy and expensive to be used for outside. Its not about the money its about practicality, in that they will slowly become marked/damaged and worn as they get used in camp." 'keep checking out estate sales, yard sales, and second hand stores'. I haven't the time for that, especially that what I want may never be found at such places. I'm working with a maker who is considering letting me have 2 that are beautiful Windsors but as he put it: "were made slightly irregular". We'll see what he comes up with.

[Spinster]

If you are looking to a period finish on these chairs(or a modern one with a period appearance) be sure to get some extra from the maker and secure it.

The biggest challenge is protecting the chair feet from repeated mud and damp. You'll want to wipe them and oil them after each event, and may need to renew the finish after several years.

We use these chairs as well as some hickory rough hewns and some split log benches in a dirt floor setting earlier in the century. Care is required to keep the legs up especially in wet climates.

[tenfed1861]

You may want to look at your local flea market,junk shop,or yard sale.My mom picked up an original 1800s tavern chair for about $10,and it was in great condition.So try that and hunt around.

[Dispatch]

If you are looking to a period finish on these chairs(or a modern one with a period appearance) be sure to get some extra from the maker and secure it.

The biggest challenge is protecting the chair feet from repeated mud and damp. You'll want to wipe them and oil them after each event, and may need to renew the finish after several years.

We use these chairs as well as some hickory rough hewns and some split log benches in a dirt floor setting earlier in the century. Care is required to keep the legs up especially in wet climates.

The maker told me he will be applying Milk Paint, in period black. He says it actually permeates the wood and gives it a beautiful authentic finish. He calls it a "continuous arm" Windsor. He states the "irregularities" are not visible and are on the underside of the 2 chairs. ;)

[Spinster]

Milk paint is an excellent choice in period finish. What you don't want is uneven paint failure if the chair gets wet. Milk paint, once made up, does not 'keep' so a later matching touch up will be difficult.

A good hand applied paste wax will aid in mitigating this problem and in protecting the legs.

[Dispatch]

You may want to look at your local flea market,junk shop,or yard sale.My mom picked up an original 1800s tavern chair for about $10,and it was in great condition.So try that and hunt around.

You have a point. 'Sometimes', you may find a real treasure at these places but from my experience, it takes alot of time and serious leg work. Not to mention, Antiques Roadshow has ruined the market for locating a real find, regardless of what you see on American Pickers. Everyone thinks they have a unique piece thats worth alot of money when it is not. But occasionally, you do run across something nice. Its usually when your not looking for anything in particular. ;)

[moconfed]

We have had quite a bit of luck finding the small straight 'ladder back' chairs at garage sales, flea markets, etc. As they have been made for well over a century, watch for hand-shaped spreaders, etc. I've paid anywhere from $5-$25 each.