C & D Jarnagin Officers Sack Coat

[KeystoneGuard]

Gentlemen,

Has anyone ever bought or known someone who has owned a C & D Jarnagin Officer's Sack Coat. If so, we're they pleased with the quality. I have never delt with this company and would like to know how people feel about them. I have run a search on here and found pros and cons to the company. I guess I should say I'm looking for an decent repro that won't break the bank. Suggestions to other companies for the coat are always welcome. Thank you in advance to whom reply.

[WestTN_reb]

So far as I can tell, Jarnagin has gotten the patterns more refined in the last couple of years....i.e. authentic. That said, however, they do not hand sew the buttonholes or topstitching, but leave it for you if you so request. If you want to spend a little less than you would from some of the top quality vendors, get Jarnagin, and do the buttonholes and topstitching by hand. I would bet that if you don't tell, nobody will ever know it didn't come from Daley or one of the others.

[HighPrvt]

If you are capable of doing the top stitching, and button holes yourself, and IF the material is of decent quality, and IF the pattern is correct, you might end up with a decent item.
Lot of ifs ain't it?
If you have to pay someone else to do the top stitching, and button holes, well then your putting even more money into a questionable item.

Buy quality the first time, and be done with it.

[CapitolGuards]

I bought one of these back in the summer of '02, used it a time or two, and sold it off in January of '04. Overall, it's not that bad of a garment. Nice cut, nice cloth, similar to the Dillingham coat shown in the Union volume of Echoes of Glory. As noted above, it's machine-sewn, but then these are privately-tailored garments in the first place, so this isn't altogether bad.

I eventually replaced it with one of Nick Sekela's commercial sack coats... if your budget will allow for one of these, this is definitely worth the extra effort.

[Ken]

So far as I can tell, Jarnagin has gotten the patterns more refined in the last couple of years....i.e. authentic. That said, however, they do not hand sew the buttonholes or topstitching, but leave it for you if you so request. If you want to spend a little less than you would from some of the top quality vendors, get Jarnagin, and do the buttonholes and topstitching by hand. I would bet that if you don't tell, nobody will ever know it didn't come from Daley or one of the others.
John,

I've seen Jarnagins coat up close and I respectfully disagree with you that anyone would ever mistake it for a Daley or any of the other quality manufacturers. It doesn't even come close.

[ThehosGendar]

For officers uniforms, DO NOT do the topstitching by hand, and make sure the buttonholes are tight and well-made. As mentioned above, officers uniforms are privately purchased items, and unless you portray an officer who decided to draw an issue sack coat, or other item issued to enlisted men, your garment is going to be well-fitting, and machine-made. Only small portions of that garment, like whipstitching the sleeve lining into place, and possibly some facings, are going to be hand done.

[KeystoneGuard]

Thanks to everyone for the help and recommendations!

[jurgitemvaletem]

Andre,

I see from your profile you are looking to portray Francis Barlow, one of the famous Boy Generals from '63.

Can I presume this is your reason for purchasing a sack?

General Barlow can be seen in several images of the period wearing one of the private purchase sacks, apparently a favorite personal fasion.

If it is your intent to purchase one of these coats in order to better portray general barlow then may I suggest a custom order to a quality vendor showing the maker the pics of general barlow wearing one of the many sacks he wore that shows him in the one you prefer.

I can suggest vendors and purveyors that would be able to do this. PM me if you are interested in such a list.