Berdan Sharpshooters uniform

[Sharpshot]

Gentleman,

I have a pattern for a frock coat and wanted to do a berdan green one. My wife is allergic to wool and I was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of cotton the color of berdan uniform or a snythetic product that looks like wool. I have been checking my local (Phila.) fabric stores with not much luck. Any info would be appreciated .

Thanks,
John

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Unfortunately it is virtually impossible to match the look, appearance, drape, and wear of wool in any cotton or synthetic fiber. What you'll end up with is something that will shrink, age, and fade unnaturally, and won't resemble anything other than a poorly made constume rather than a historical reproducation.

[Duff]

The Berdans frock is virturally impossible to reproduce even with wool. If you insist though, the closest color is called rifle green. Basicly try to find the darkest green you can find. I personaly have never seen any fabric that resembles wool in any way, so someone else will have to help you with that.

[Sharpshot]

I knew I would get some good info from knowledge sources. I will have to figure out another way to go green.

Thanks
John

[MarkTK36thIL]

Best bet might be to take your pattern, get some wool, then find a seamtress to make it.

[Duff]

depending on how allergic she is you could also look into woolrich or similer wool/poly blends.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Is the problem she cannot "be around" wool, or handle wool and cannot sew a coat up, or is the problem that the coat is intended for her to use and she cannot wear wool?

While there are wool/nylon blends that can be found in the 80/20, 85/15, 70/30, and even 60/40 ratios at times... wool, kersey, and flannel look like wool, kersey, and flannel.
Yes, there is say green cotton, but cotton does not appear as, or "look like" wool, kersey, or flannel.

On the other hand, in some circles the "standard" for Berdan uniforms is overly heavy 22 or 24 ounce "blanket wool" which does not "look much like" Period Berdan coats.

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

[Marc]

On the other hand, in some circles the "standard" for Berdan uniforms is overly heavy 22 or 24 ounce "blanket wool" which does not "look much like" Period Berdan coats.

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS

Curt is correct I am at work but the Berdan Frock was made from about 10-12 oz wool orginally, in fact the first frocks were from England.

Many of us have tried for the past years to find just the right dark green color and have come close, but I have yet to see a Berdan frock that is right on colorwise. We have studied Don Trioni's (sp) coat and also at the Smithsonian and have engaged some of the wool manufacturers to try and duplicate. One problem is the law of supply and demand. Since the number of people that would purchase the correct color wool is small any manufacturing interest is nil or if made would be cost prohibitive to purchase.

[reb64]

Curt is correct I am at work but the Berdan Frock was made from about 10-12 oz wool orginally, in fact the first frocks were from England.

Many of us have tried for the past years to find just the right dark green color and have come close, but I have yet to see a Berdan frock that is right on colorwise. We have studied Don Trioni's (sp) coat and also at the Smithsonian and have engaged some of the wool manufacturers to try and duplicate. One problem is the law of supply and demand. Since the number of people that would purchase the correct color wool is small any manufacturing interest is nil or if made would be cost prohibitive to purchase.

If this stuff is hard to find, do you think the orignals wearers had the same trouble or used something more common? I would think there is something stockpiled and hidden somewhere.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

If this stuff is hard to find, do you think the orignals wearers had the same trouble or used something more common? I would think there is something stockpiled and hidden somewhere.

The original wearers had no trouble at all, since all of their uniforms were provided for them (they did not have to make their own uniforms). There were hundreds of uniforms issued, so the minimum quantities that are needed today have no bearing compared to back then. They were all contracted out initially, made, and then issued. The regiments did, however, have trouble at certain times in the war continuing to issue the same frocks and trousers, and at those times issued the standard fatigue dress and trousers as that of the army. Those who are more knowledgeable on Berdan's men and their equipment could post more details on that than I.