Sack Coats

[LioZac0261]

Gentlemen,

I'm trying to research sack coats for my impression. I know Union sack coats had gold button-hole stitching, and mostly came lined (but sometimes not).

What about Confederate enlisted sack coats? Did they use gold button-hole stitching? Lining?

Any information is appreciated.

[PrattStreetRioter]

http://www.military-historians.org/c...federate-1.htm

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"I know Union sack coats had gold button-hole stitching,

Nein, mein lieber Kindertroll... Where are you "researching?"

The Quartermaster Manual called for dark blue linen thread to be used throughout the blouse. (Although cotton was snuck in.) The prefered dye for dark blue was indigo because of its color fastness. But both arsenals and contractors sometimes got away with substituting inferior blue dyes such as mordanted logwood. Logwood degrades or fades ot brown or tan over time and exposure. (The seeing of brown button-hole thread on original garments once upon a time led some reenactors to believe that the thread was originally brown so makers and vendors made repro garments with incorect brown or tan thread.)


and mostly came lined (but sometimes not).'

The Official Records (Series III, Vol. 5, p. 285) reports Federal total purchases of 3,685,755 lined sack coats, 1,809,270 unlined, and 530,144 knit.

Curt

[LioZac0261]

Hallo!

"I know Union sack coats had gold button-hole stitching,

Nein, mein lieber Kindertroll... Where are you "researching?"

The Quartermaster Manual called for dark blue linen thread to be used throughout the blouse. (Although cotton was snuck in.) The prefered dye for dark blue was indigo because of its color fastness. But both arsenals and contractors sometimes got away with substituting inferior blue dyes such as mordanted logwood. Logwood degrades or fades ot brown or tan over time and exposure. (The seeing of brown button-hole thread on original garments once upon a time led some reenactors to believe that the thread was originally brown so makers and vendors made repro garments with incorect brown or tan thread.)


and mostly came lined (but sometimes not).'

The Official Records (Series III, Vol. 5, p. 285) reports Federal total purchases of 3,685,755 lined sack coats, 1,809,270 unlined, and 530,144 knit.

Curt

That makes more sense. That's why I always come here: I was discussing the topic with another reenactor, and he thought it was gold. Now I see how the thread could have faded to a yellow-brownish color.

So, I guess this jacket uses the wrong color thread around the button holes? http://www.cwquartermaster.com/compare.htm

Thanks!

[PrattStreetRioter]

Just bookmark this page!

Mr Tackitt has supplied the hobby with a plethora of excellent links in one place!

http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/links.htm

[marktaylor]

That makes more sense. That's why I always come here: I was discussing the topic with another reenactor, and he thought it was gold. Now I see how the thread could have faded to a yellow-brownish color.

So, I guess this jacket uses the wrong color thread around the button holes? http://www.cwquartermaster.com/compare.htm

Thanks!

Copied from Curt's message you quoted above.

"The prefered dye for dark blue was indigo because of its color fastness. But both arsenals and contractors sometimes got away with substituting inferior blue dyes such as mordanted logwood. Logwood degrades or fades ot brown or tan over time and exposure."

[LioZac0261]

Wow, that's crazy to think that a $200 coat has the wrong color thread. I didn't buy that particular jacket, by the way, but next time I'll be sure and look for those details.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Wow, that's crazy to think that a $200 coat has the wrong color thread. I didn't buy that particular jacket, by the way, but next time I'll be sure and look for those details.

Perhaps its not crazy. If it correctly made, utilizing the correct material and construction methods, it can be viewed as a garment correctly showing the color of logwood dyed thread after it has oxidized, therefore still being a "correct" garment. There was a time when there was a shortage of logwood dye for thread and several quality vendors were making Federal fatigue blouses with brown thread on the exterior and indigo thread in the interior to replicate what the thread would look like after some time in the field. I wouldn't be so quick to call a garment crazy if everything else is correct.

[LioZac0261]

Perhaps its not crazy. If it correctly made, utilizing the correct material and construction methods, it can be viewed as a garment correctly showing the color of logwood dyed thread after it has oxidized, therefore still being a "correct" garment. There was a time when there was a shortage of logwood dye for thread and several quality vendors were making Federal fatigue blouses with brown thread on the exterior and indigo thread in the interior to replicate what the thread would look like after some time in the field. I wouldn't be so quick to call a garment crazy if everything else is correct.

Another valid point. Well, if I have another question about sack coats I'll come back here. Thank you all.