Jacket Vs. Event!

[Tiger_rifles]

I understand Ross, and I meant no hard feelings or insult to anyone. We all have our own reasons for being in this hobby. But even those on a budget can have some fun with uniforms/gear.

So you pick up a flannel shirt from the sutlers, what $30- $40 bucks, stop by Jo ann's and get some trim/tape and a needle and thread. A few nights of sewing while you watch TV and bang you have a battle shirt! Now I know that is not the whole deal, but a good overshirt or battleshirt can work for so many events! And clearly The same is true for a good 4 button CS sack coat or a Commutation jacket. Even the nicest of these jackets can be had for under $200,(yes that means you will have to give up one of your B-day or Christmas gifts to get the coat!), but it works for so many events early and late war!

I had two coats I used from 1982 to 2004! At the 140th of Spot's Courthouse I decided to up my impression. I ordered one of Chas. Cantrell's Mystery Jackets in a sumac dyed jean w/Federal Eagle buttons. I cannot explain to you the joy and excitement in owning a jacket like this! I wore it for the first time at the 140th of Franklin using all my old gear, the only other new item I had was a pair of used trousers I got for $30. The use of that jacket changed everything! It changed how I felt about the event, my role at that event, my enjoyment, you name it...... had a blast!!!

Since then I have changed the buttons on that coat to simple coin buttons and folded down the collar to use it as a civilian coat at many local events, and now I am working on adding some trimmings and some civilian buttons I got off this forum to make a Commutation jacket for next year. Now I am sure there are some purests here that would look down on that, but I plan to get as much use out of this jacket as possible.

You just have to ask questions and do a little research and buy smart. I friend of mine makes Federal Sack coats as good as any of the "Big Bugs" can make, and only charges $70. And I know it really turns folks soar when one of these "Dealers" is selling an unlined, Union Sack Coat, 100% machine sewn w/only the button holes hand done...... for $200 or more!

OK I'm rambleing, gotta get off the soap box for awhile, gotta fix some fence before the horses get out again.
Hope everyone is having agreat Labor Day W/E!

[Tiger_rifles]

I think that entirely his initial point if I read it right. Most people look at an upcoming event and procure a jacket/coat (or other pieces of kit) for that event. He is asking if anyone (like us) gets an odd jacket/coat and then looks for an event for that to fit in.

Thank you Flattop for the in-put, Ross is correct! My deal is I re-worked a nice Mdl 1816 musket and one of the guys that makes really nice uniforms fell in love with it! He traded me future uniforms ,(from some of his special runs!), for the musket. So now what do I do w/this uniforms but try and find the best event they should go too!

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Thank you Flattop for the in-put, Ross is correct! My deal is I re-worked a nice Mdl 1816 musket and one of the guys that makes really nice uniforms fell in love with it! He traded me future uniforms ,(from some of his special runs!), for the musket. So now what do I do w/this uniforms but try and find the best event they should go too!

I know EXACTLY what you mean Paul. I traded some of my handsewn clothing awhile back for a McClellan saddle. I then of course had to pick up all the other various cav items to go with it. Now all I need is a horse....

[Tiger_rifles]

I know EXACTLY what you mean Paul. I traded some of my handsewn clothing awhile back for a McClellan saddle. I then of course had to pick up all the other various cav items to go with it. Now all I need is a horse....

Well, come on Ross- start heading for Colorado! I got a Mare that is coming into season for the first time and she thinks nothing of running thru 3 strands of barbless wire and 110V electric to get to the two geldings next door! Neighbors Are getting fed-up w/trying to catch her at 6 am. Good thing the Ranch supply store also has a Labor Day sale!!!

[Tiger_rifles]

Ok, I would like to hear what anyone has to say about the Pattern offered by Galla Rock Mert. for thier "The Oklahoma Mystery Jacket", what is believed to be a Trans-Mississippi coat.

Is this truely a Trans-Miss issue item or just an odd AOT Depot Coat?

[Viceroy]

Regarding the original question:
I think that artillery shakos are friggin' awesome. When the heck would I be able to wear it? Tonight, I shall finish my first arty shell.

Also, I think that the 97th NY Inf was a Polish unit with red square top hats / pants. I would love to find some good information on that uniform, replicate it, and find a good event to wear it... if it indeed was worn. There is a full color image (drawing) at the Polish museum in Chicago. Great museum, btw.

http://www.polishmuseumofamerica.org/

[Viceroy]

Regarding the original question:
I think that artillery shakos are friggin' awesome. When the heck would I be able to wear it? Tonight, I shall finish my first arty shell.

Also, I think that the 97th NY Inf was a Polish unit with red square top hats / pants. I would love to find some good information on that uniform, replicate it, and find a good event to wear it... if it indeed was worn. There is a full color image (drawing) at the Polish museum in Chicago. Great museum, btw.

http://www.polishmuseumofamerica.org/

Correction: 58th NY Inf.
http://dmna.state.ny.us/historic/reg...8thInfMain.htm

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/84/58thny.png/

[skamikaze]

one of the biggest arguments I have with newer guys who are joining my group is that they want to buy those oddball items when they don't even have their basic kit hashed out. I want them to have an authentic PEC kit before they go get an Ohio state jacket or whatever.

They always say, "well, YOU have a ______." Then I realize its true, I have way too much garbage in my closet. I have shirts and hats I've never worn, and really don't intend to wear. Gear that has sat since the day I bought it. Stuff I bought, then sold, without ever using.

The life of a gearwhore is a strange one. I constantly troll the forums and events looking for that rad deal, and justify it by underselling some piece of gear I rarely use. Sometimes I just get frustrated with the mess and give away piles of junk. I looked at pics of the last few years of events, and most shots have me decked out entirely in clothes I don't own anymore....

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

one of the biggest arguments I have with newer guys who are joining my group is that they want to buy those oddball items when they don't even have their basic kit hashed out. I want them to have an authentic PEC kit before they go get an Ohio state jacket or whatever.

They always say, "well, YOU have a ______." Then I realize its true, I have way too much garbage in my closet. I have shirts and hats I've never worn, and really don't intend to wear. Gear that has sat since the day I bought it. Stuff I bought, then sold, without ever using.

The life of a gearwhore is a strange one. I constantly troll the forums and events looking for that rad deal, and justify it by underselling some piece of gear I rarely use. Sometimes I just get frustrated with the mess and give away piles of junk. I looked at pics of the last few years of events, and most shots have me decked out entirely in clothes I don't own anymore....

Dog, I'll give you the words of a well-known (but un-named here) campaigner of the first order: "Boys, none of us buy reenacting gear, we just rent it". Truer words for the progressive were never spoken. I and many others I know make something specific for an event, wear it for that one event, and dump it off on the open market. If you make your own, your rental isnt' that expensive, but if you pay retail, those rentals can add up.

[Tiger_rifles]

Dog, I'll give you the words of a well-known (but un-named here) campaigner of the first order: "Boys, none of us buy reenacting gear, we just rent it". Truer words for the progressive were never spoken. I and many others I know make something specific for an event, wear it for that one event, and dump it off on the open market. If you make your own, your rental isnt' that expensive, but if you pay retail, those rentals can add up.

Eric and Ross,

Very true Gentlemen, but this is not exclusive to CW or Re-enacting. My next door neighbor will spend untold amounts of cash and time restoring an old car or truck, just to sell it at half what he has in it or worse trade it for some other rusted out hulk he hails in on his flatbed. Another friend at work races moto-cross. buys a bike, changes out almost the entire thing for some race, then parks it in the garage to start a new project for a differant race.

We are not alone! And In some ways we may have found a cheap way to keep us entertained!!