Braces/Suspenders for tall folk

[jerryeberg]

I've got a pair of sutler-row suspenders that almost EVERY reenactor uses. Unfortunately, I'm tall and they don't fit me, even at the longest length. Are there any accurate and documented ways of lengthening the braces?

[tenfed1861]

Best bet is to use a belt.You look like a thin fellow,so a belt should work.Homespune Wares has some great trouser belts for sell.Don't need to worry about them being to long or having a button popped.
www.homespumwares.com
Hope this helps.
Cullen

[willeichler]

Cullen,

I think you had a typo. I believe the site you intended to post is:

http://homespunwares.com/

Best regards,

Will Eichler

[AZReenactor]

I agree with what has been said. A trouser belt may be a good solution for your situation.

If you are wearing the same braces that most reenactors wear you can modify them just about any which way you want without any fear whatsoever of making them any less authentic then they are already.

Several of the more authentic Vendors make a style using woven tape that they should be able to easily sell you a lengthened version of. I have a pair from Trans Mississippi Depot (http://www.trans-mississippi.com/) that even utilize period elastic in an authentic manner to give them a little flexibility. There are other high end vendors offering similiar pairs as well who can probably make you a lengthier pair.

[toptimlrd]

We also have the period correct elastic type. How long do they need to be on you? I just checked the elastic type I have in stock with a pair of the more generic sutler row variety and they are the same length with the elastic at its shortest, the elastic can easily expand a few inches. Like mentioned earlier you could possibly order a custom made pair.

[jerryeberg]

Great, thanks for your help guys, I'll definately look into a trouser belt.

[jurgitemvaletem]

Another option, something that I did, and probably one of my better ideas was to take my old musket sling, take the leather keeper that is already there, unstitch it, reverse it stitch it back into place and you have a great trowser belt with a keeper and everything for a next to nothing price.

[Rob]

A good thing to do is to put on your reenactment trousers and use a tape measure to get the length needed. Go from the center of the front right buttons and over the right shoulder to the center of the left rear button. While you're at it, get the distance between the rear buttons as well.

Most "off-the-rack" braces won't work with me, because my upper body is a bit long in proportion. When I ordered braces from Corner Clothiers, they asked for these two measurements and the braces fit fine.

[1stTexas]

One company makes 1-1/2" white cotton web suspenders with a elastic section from the cross in the back to the rear button holes. They also come with the period correct piercing-prong adjusters. The friction flip clasp type adjusters are correct for the post-civil war period and the U.S. - Indian war in the west. The elastic will prevent popping off the buttons when you sit down or when you get up. I will guarantee the buttons will pop off if your suspenders do not include a short piece of elasticized webbing. Don't buy suspenders with the flimsy leather riser inserts in front and sewn leather tips in back. They leather front riser inserts will break the first time out. The front and rear leather riser ends sewn onto the straps are fine.

Elastic was elasticized (rubberized) cotton invented by Mr. Goodyear and was used during the civil war period on the high-end suspenders. The po-mouth Confederate suspenders were two spearate straps of home made of cottin ticking with four button holes in front for a little adjustment and the strap crossing point in back was not sewn together.

Confederate suspenders were not issue items and were sometimes made from cotton webbing from a Confederate issue rifle sling. Suspenders were more important than a rifle sling.

[Rachal]

I made a similar belt last year, except that I stiched a roller buckle from a knapsack onto the end. It works great and I have gotten several compliments on it.

[jerryeberg]

Another option, something that I did, and probably one of my better ideas was to take my old musket sling, take the leather keeper that is already there, unstitch it, reverse it stitch it back into place and you have a great trowser belt with a keeper and everything for a next to nothing price.

Good idea, too bad I don't have an extra gun sling. But I will definately look into that, an old canvas gun sling is much cheaper than a period correct belt.

[AZReenactor]

Confederate suspenders were not issue items and were sometimes made from cotton webbing from a Confederate issue rifle sling. Suspenders were more important than a rifle sling.

You mentioned this over in the hole you were digging regarding belt loops and such and I was curious if you can provide any period sources for this claim? It seems to me most cloth rifle slings are too short to make a pair of suspenders. I'd just like to make certain it isn't just another reenactorism and try and assess how common this practice was exactly. I'd hate to think it might be just an error that reenactors are telling each other and the public over and over again until people start thinking it is true.

[1stTexas]

Two canvas rifle slings will easily make a pair of suspenders and there were plenty of spare rifle slings on the battlefield. Even leather rifle slings make good suspenders.

It is obvious to me that many so called "reenactors" do not like to wear suspenders and prefer the modern convenience of wearing a belt to hold up their trousers.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Herr Troy!

A heretically good Rule of Thumb on any boards and fora, or campfire and car pool chatter is this:

Believe little or nothing of what you read or hear, and half of what you research for yourself.
And that includes anything I post. :-) :-)

And that will get you by.
There is great stuff shared at times, but at other times... Sigh.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[AZReenactor]

Jerry,
So you are merely speculating, then eh? No real documentation or research, just...

<Sigh>

[bob 125th nysvi]

I've got a pair of sutler-row suspenders that almost EVERY reenactor uses. Unfortunately, I'm tall and they don't fit me, even at the longest length. Are there any accurate and documented ways of lengthening the braces?

just how tall are you? I stand in at 6'4" 240 and I've still got extra room.

Maybe a silly question but are they 4 or 6 button and are you sure you're wearing them right?

[AZReenactor]

Curt,
That is a good rule of thumb indeed. Far too many reenactors are far too quick to recklessly suppose or merely repeat unreliable crap in their futile efforts efforts to educate the public and one another. Regrettably reenactors and the many of the public are far too willing to unquestionably accept that crap being served by the folks wearing funny clothes.




Hallo!

Herr Troy!

A heretically good Rule of Thumb on any boards and fora, or campfire and car pool chatter is this:

Believe little or nothing of what you read or hear, and half of what you research for yourself.
And that includes anything I post. :-) :-)

And that will get you by.
There is great stuff shared at times, but at other times... Sigh.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[jerryeberg]

just how tall are you? I stand in at 6'4" 240 and I've still got extra room.

Maybe a silly question but are they 4 or 6 button and are you sure you're wearing them right?

I'm 6'3" and I'm sure I'm wearing them right. 6 button. Please don't lecture me on how to wear suspenders.
Thanks for all your help guys. I like the rifle sling belt, but the sling-suspender seem a little much.

[johnduffer]

"there were plenty of spare rifle slings on the battlefield"

I'm not picking on you in particular Mr. Coffee, but I see this comment over and over to justify almost anything. For every day on a battlefield a soldier spent months not on a battlefield. Even if on campaign I've seen dozens of original accounts where a unit was at a major battle but never got near the action. This notion that the battlefield is some giant equipment buffet where a soldier wanders at his leasure anytime he needs something is, in my humble opinion, deeply flawed.

John Duffer

[bob 125th nysvi]

I'm 6'3" and I'm sure I'm wearing them right. 6 button. Please don't lecture me on how to wear suspenders.
Thanks for all your help guys. I like the rifle sling belt, but the sling-suspender seem a little much.

just curious because I'm the little one in the family and some of the bigger boys are talking about getting in.

[NoahBriggs]

Mr. Berg:

You might try looking around online for a pattern for making braces and make yourself a pair. That way they will fit you exactly as you desire and adjust the way you want them to adjust. You could roll in some extra dough by selling specifically to the taller fellows, whom I am certain would appreciate your (future) business.

[jerryeberg]

Eh, I'm just a kid, so not right now. But that is definately a good idea, thanks!