1860's eyeglasses

[Union_Buff]

Hey all.

I've been sifting through some websites that deal with 1860's glasses and can't find any frames that could fit my specialist lenses. And this is one thing that has nagged at me for a while. Any help is greatly appreciated

[Severon]

I'll look into it.

[wilber6150]

Hi,
I got a couple of pairs of era specticles..One I bought from an antique show, and the other off ebay..i then brought them to my local walmart and had their vision center replace the lenses with my correct prescription. Since my prescription is strong I spent a little more and got the ultra thin lens..It worked out very well...

[101combatvet]

Probably, anything that looks like "granny glasses" will work.

[Buffalo-Guard]

The pair I bought is dated 1860-1865. They do not have screws in the hinges but rather are bent as was the method of the day.
You cannot get places like Wal-Mart or Pearl to do something like the lens. You must go to the smaller more personal optical stores.
That’s how I had mine done. Also they cannot put bi or tri focals in them. Contact;
RAMM OPTICAL

257 Kenmore Ave, Buffalo, NY 14223




716-834--9500

John

PS ask for the guy who works at the VA. Tell him that I sent you and that I am the vet who does the re-enacting.


Note You can get the proper glasses if you look close enough. They should not have screws. Costs, around 15-25 at most.

[wilber6150]

Another thought to consider depending on your level of authenticity..Most glasses of the civil war didn't have the curved frames that fitted around the ears, so they are a little loose and some people who use them do tie a piece of yarn or something around them to hold them as tight as modern glasses..Or you could go a little less authentic and get a pair whose arms do fit around ears. I believe they are more 1880's then 1860's, but from the from they look good and if you hide the arms under your hair the public cant really see them..It depends on balancing your need for authenticity versus what you can live with in your hobby...

A site for these glasses can be found here
http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cP...cd375d5475e96b

[wilber6150]

A site for antique glasses is http://www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/

And a site that tells about history of specticals and different variations thru the years is this
http://www.sptddog.com/sotp/spec.html

[Union_Buff]

The pair I bought is dated 1860-1865. They do not have screws in the hinges but rather are bent as was the method of the day.
You cannot get places like Wal-Mart or Pearl to do something like the lens. You must go to the smaller more personal optical stores.
That’s how I had mine done. Also they cannot put bi or tri focals in them. Contact;
RAMM OPTICAL

257 Kenmore Ave, Buffalo, NY 14223




716-834--9500

John

PS ask for the guy who works at the VA. Tell him that I sent you and that I am the vet who does the re-enacting.


Note You can get the proper glasses if you look close enough. They should not have screws. Costs, around 15-25 at most.

Thanks for that John

I'll definitely go there when I revisit in 2014.

[wilber6150]

The pair I bought is dated 1860-1865. They do not have screws in the hinges but rather are bent as was the method of the day.
You cannot get places like Wal-Mart or Pearl to do something like the lens. You must go to the smaller more personal optical stores.
.

Actually, you can get them done there as I have had them done and many members of different units that I know have also..Just take the frames in first so the optical tech can take a look and make some measurements, then they can order in the lens for the frame.. I had then put in for my rev ear and civil war frames both authentic and period correct..It only took about a 4 day turn around..

[thrashassault]

I actually had this problem when I first reenacted. But finally I found a contact that I can wear so now I don't need my glasses.

I also knew a guy that had problems with his eyes that he had to wear tinted glass out in the sun. All the places we went they let him because it was a health issue. I wonder if he would have gone to a big event though weither they would've let him or not.

[wayne jackson]

several pair for sale now on e bay.
look under civil war relics,or civil war antiques

[Union_Buff]

I actually had this problem when I first reenacted. But finally I found a contact that I can wear so now I don't need my glasses.

I also knew a guy that had problems with his eyes that he had to wear tinted glass out in the sun. All the places we went they let him because it was a health issue. I wonder if he would have gone to a big event though weither they would've let him or not.

Thanks for that Trash

I'm looking up contact lenses now, to see if they're an option for me, instead of going without my glasses and banging into things and people.

[Buffalo-Guard]

[I also knew a guy that had problems with his eyes that he had to wear tinted glass out in the sun. All the places we went they let him because it was a health issue. I wonder if he would have gone to a big event though weither they would've let him or not.[/quote]

Tinted glasses were worn during the war. There should be no problem at any event. They, although rare, were used.

I have the same problem with reenactors saying that 1859 Mac's , were the only saddle used. There were Mac's Gennys, Hopes, Spanish, Calaforina, Mac 1863 etc.

[thrashassault]

Tinted glasses were worn during the war. There should be no problem at any event. They, although rare, were used.

Interesting, I didn't know that.

[johan_steele]

It's amusing to look into what the various tinted glasses meant. One color meant syphalis, another yellow fever etc. I don't know the particulars anymore but it would be interesting to find out again.

[Buffalo-Guard]

Thanks for that John

I'll definitely go there when I revisit American in 2014.

Pardon.....I did not realize that you were not in The New World at this time.

Just having fun with you. As for glasses. I had problems at Walmart in this area. Went to three in western New York and one in Pa and they could not do them. One of our posters found no problem. It just depends on which ,Wally World, as we call them here in the states, that you venture to. I don't like Walmart because of their intent to venturn onto hollowed ground near CW battlefields to build stores.

To do a correct and proper inpersonation of the CW takes study and time. Then there are those FARBS, that 4 letter word starting with "F", and if you get mixed up with them, welll just look out.

Just look towards folks who have been doing this for years. There are many on this board who will give you the necessary and CORRECT information.

Remember one thing, you are not only doing this for the fun of it, you are held to a higher ground as it were. Those who you present to the spectator are all gone. They cannot talk or teach the truth of what happened anymore.

If you do this thing, do it with gusto and do it with the intent that history MUST be told correctlly and portrayed as such.

My motto is this
'Teach history as it was....not as it is"

[Severon]

All I know is to be careful where you look for glasses. Some places will say that their glasses are the best but will really be ripping you off.

[Union_Buff]

Pardon.....I did not realize that you were not in The New World at this time.

Just having fun with you. As for glasses. I had problems at Walmart in this area. Went to three in western New York and one in Pa and they could not do them. One of our posters found no problem. It just depends on which ,Wally World, as we call them here in the states, that you venture to. I don't like Walmart because of their intent to venturn onto hollowed ground near CW battlefields to build stores.

To do a correct and proper inpersonation of the CW takes study and time. Then there are those FARBS, that 4 letter word starting with "F", and if you get mixed up with them, welll just look out.

Just look towards folks who have been doing this for years. There are many on this board who will give you the necessary and CORRECT information.

Remember one thing, you are not only doing this for the fun of it, you are held to a higher ground as it were. Those who you present to the spectator are all gone. They cannot talk or teach the truth of what happened anymore.

If you do this thing, do it with gusto and do it with the intent that history MUST be told correctly and portrayed as such.

My motto is this
'Teach history as it was....not as it is"

No worries BG, I've planned out my persona right down to the last trait and he's got his head screwed on right

Being with the FARBS? Hell no. Don't want to get yelled at by "hardcores", so mainstream and progressive is my thing.

All I know is to be careful where you look for glasses. Some places will say that their glasses are the best but will really be ripping you off.

Thanks Sev - I'll definitely keep that mind mind when I go out looking for the perfect pair.

[Severon]

Glad to be of service to you sir.

[wilber6150]

Being with the FARBS? Hell no. Don't want to get yelled at by "hardcores", so mainstream and progressive is my thing.

Most people who are "hardcore" will be glad to help you improve your kit and appearence; they dont yell at "farbs". They might shake their head sadly at someone who doesnt care to even try to be correct, but they will also be the first ones to try to help someone who wants to be better, or more authentic, then they currently are.

[Union_Buff]

Most people who are "hardcore" will be glad to help you improve your kit and appearence; they dont yell at "farbs". They might shake their head sadly at someone who doesnt care to even try to be correct, but they will also be the first ones to try to help someone who wants to be better, or more authentic, then they currently are.

Thanks for that Will

I have a hunch that I might do that when I see "farbs" at my first reenactment, even though it will be my first one as well.

[jackpine]

http://www.spectacleshoppe.biz/

the founder of the company is a spectacle collector, If you let them know what you need they'll make it happen.

[Remember1864]

Contrary to other postings in this thread, "granny" glasses will NOT do. And even though some style of "tinted" eyewear was available, it's hardly the norm for a Civil War soldier. That being said, eyeglasses on the whole weren't all that common for the rank and file. Considering the time, (1860s), many folks didn't have access to an eye doctor. Moreover, how many people who needed eye wear actually knew that they needed it? As someone who has worn glasses/contacts for 30 years, I well remember my first visit to the eye doctor. The appointment wasn't made because of my own thoughts that my eyesight was fading. In fact, it wasn't until the doc fitted me with glasses and I walked outside that I realized that there were "spaces" between the branches of trees!
Macular degeneration is generally a slow process and many times one doesn't have any idea that it is occurring. It's usually a teacher or a parent that points out a child's poor vision.


John Marler
Franklin, TN