Otis Baker braces

[Craig L Barry]

Picked up a very interesting pair of Otis Baker braces from Carter & Jasper/Rambling Irishman. Patrick Landrum (Jacks and Tens) had them artfully displayed in a rubbermaid box at the STRI combined battlefield park arty living history this past weekend. Like finding gold in a box of straw, the braces practically jumped right out of the box and into my hands, and I could not put them on my trowsers fast enough.

The history is pretty well known on the Otis Bakers, they are copied from a pair in the Jackson Mississippi museum, etc, but it is the quality of the reproductions that stuns. Tim Koehn is the maker, and his mark is nicely placed on the back. The originals were obviously custom made for Baker as they combine a few features of what we would call a "farmer" or "poor boy" pair of braces (handsewn button holes, two separate braces, no leather tabs on either end), but also feature some excellent hardware in the form of japanned two prong buckles, and with the common two tabs (per brace) front of the same custom blue/white striped webbing. These two prong japanned buckles are the best quality I have seen.

Personal preference, but I like to add an overlapping piece of material on the back of one of the braces to act as a "slide" where they cross in back. Currently in the process of throwing out most of the braces I've made myself or modified as they look like garbage next to this kind of material and workmanship.

[Spinster]

Tim's work is stunning in anything he produces.

He also makes some dandy spoons.

And, like wool blankets, a woman cannot have too many tablespoons.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Or teaspoons...

"She makes the sign of a teaspoon
He makes the sign of a wave.
The poor boy changes clothes
And puts on after-shave
To compensate for his ordinary shoes."

CHS

[Craig L Barry]

Herr Kammeraden:

Nice ditty about teaspoons. Have you been drinking?

[Spinster]

Oh, I just want a link to the tune and the rest of the verses

I can see many uses for that song.

Likely its gonna be another one of those that I wish was period, but know from the get-go is not.

Like my absolute favorite non-period, CW period song.

The Last Time
Momma made my uniform, Sewed a stripe on the shoulder
Papa wanted my company flag Bring it back when it's over
Jenny came to say goodbye And she said she would wait for me
On my stallion I sat high Leaving Tennessee
This is the last time I'll see Jenny
That's what the cottonwood Keeps saying to me
'Cause the last time, You'll see Jenny
Will be the last time, You'll see Tennessee

I took her by the hand It was last September
My Jenny made that day One I would remember
I promised to return Soon after victory
Down the road I waved goodbye Joining Robert E. Lee
This is the last time I'll see Jenny
That's what the cottonwood Keeps saying to me
'Cause the last time, You'll see Jenny
Will be the last time, You'll see Tennessee

I held her close to me As we lay by the river
And now I'm going to see The baby I give her
Momma made my uniform That I wore so gallantly
And Papa I'm sorry your flag Is wrapped all around me
This is the last time I'll see Jenny
That's what the cottonwood Keeps saying to me
'Cause the last time, You'll see Jenny
Will be the last time, You'll see Tennessee

__________

Whether 1860 something or 1960 something--or 1060 something for that matter, the homefront stories still have the same emotion and depth.

Women and children are always left.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!



People say I'm crazy. I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes.

CHS

[Spinster]

I thought I heard an echo from the Mists of Memory.

And I'm going to Graceland, Graceland.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Yup...

And my traveling companions
Are ghosts and empty sockets
I'm looking at ghosts and empties
But I've reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland

CHS
Who has a pair of Baker suspenders around here somewhere. Maybe down in the Jungle Room.

[50th VA Corporal]

Picked up a very interesting pair of Otis Baker braces from Carter & Jasper/Rambling Irishman. Patrick Landrum (Jacks and Tens) had them artfully displayed in a rubbermaid box at the STRI combined battlefield park arty living history this past weekend. Like finding gold in a box of straw, the braces practically jumped right out of the box and into my hands, and I could not put them on my trowsers fast enough.

The history is pretty well known on the Otis Bakers, they are copied from a pair in the Jackson Mississippi museum, etc, but it is the quality of the reproductions that stuns. Tim Koehn is the maker, and his mark is nicely placed on the back. The originals were obviously custom made for Baker as they combine a few features of what we would call a "farmer" or "poor boy" pair of braces (handsewn button holes, two separate braces, no leather tabs on either end), but also feature some excellent hardware in the form of japanned two prong buckles, and with the common two tabs (per brace) front of the same custom blue/white striped webbing. These two prong japanned buckles are the best quality I have seen.

Personal preference, but I like to add an overlapping piece of material on the back of one of the braces to act as a "slide" where they cross in back. Currently in the process of throwing out most of the braces I've made myself or modified as they look like garbage next to this kind of material and workmanship.

I picked up a pair of these some time ago from N.J. Sekela. Not only to echo your positive comments, but they are very comfortable, too. By far my favorite pair.

Jas. T. Lemon
50th VA Corporal

[reddcorp]

Mrs. Lawson:

Me an tha boys is right partial to that'un too. Particular Lt. Dean.

Andy Redd