C&D Jarnagin has closed.

[13thKyCav]

I'd heard that C&D Jarnagin had closed for retirement, & their website is now gone.

When I started reenacting in the mid 80s, they were THE uniform maker as far as authenticity (at that time) went. Today's understanding of correct material culture was in its infancy. Still, the catalog stated that they drew from original items to make their reproductions. Their leathers & tinware & uniforms were top notch. My first unit's uniforms most all came from them.

Hard to think of all those sutlers & makers are now gone. More than I can even think of at the moment. New Columbia, Jersey Skillet Licker, The Quartermaster Shop, Stony Brook Company (& before that it was known as Brooklyn Arsenal. Chris Sullivan still makes trousers & sells on ebay) & so many more now all part of the past. From those times, I think the literal 'last man standing' is Fall Creek. When I started, I think Blockade Runner was just the middle Tennessee area & they did iron pieces, like tent pegs & fire grates, etc. I don't remember them from the time that I started.

Thanks for the many years that they contributed to the hobby.

 

[captaindrew]

My first unit in the mid 80s had a company sutler who was basically a guy with the Jarnigan catalog. You'd go to him and tell him what you needed and he made suggestions then ordered it from Jarnigan for you. Still have a couple serviceable items from back then. For the time it was the best stuff out there. Been in business a long time.

 

[13thKyCav]

My first unit in the mid 80s had a company sutler who was basically a guy with the Jarnigan catalog. You'd go to him and tell him what you needed and he made suggestions then ordered it from Jarnigan for you. Still have a couple serviceable items from back then. For the time it was the best stuff out there. Been in business a long time.

That's how we did it with my first unit. I remember one time we ordered 7 jackets at one time, & everyone got theirs before the expected delivery time. Things really changed over the years.

 

[JD-reb]

Our unit in the 1980's 18th Mississippi Co. B Benton Rifles was outfitted by C&D Jarnagin. I still have my dress uniform as seen in my photo to left! They were a true quality manufacturer.

 

[iron bender]

Loved going to Corinth with my dad when I was a little kid. Still have the first uniform Carolyn made me about 1980.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I still have a pair of Jarnigan shoes that are serviceable! Yes it's a shame to lose another long time vendor.

 

[gary]

Jarnigan was highly praised in Authentic Campaigner. May he enjoy retirement.

 

[Mississippian1861]

David's leather gear and tin were always top notch, I still have a couple things from him I will always use.

 

[RebelWeber]

19th Virginia Company K ... The Old Richmond Gray from Jarnagin was and is iconic. I got my uniform just in time for 135th Gettysburg (my first season) the last Gettysburg I attended was 161, where did the time go?

 

[JimW]

I always felt his slings were the best repros for display. I used them for my "display" leather and Forage Cap (not any of the uniform though); visited the shop twice. Always a pleasure to chat with, sad to see them closing.

Glad to see the wayback machine has held some of the info:

https://web.archive.org/web/20250410084456/https://www.jarnaginco.com/leather definitions index.htm

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Sad news. Confirms a suspicion I had the other day when I went to go to their site to look for Dragoon stuff.

Another page of reenacting history has turned.

 

[James Brenner]

It is a shame. Dale was particularly knowledgeable on the care and manufacture of leather products.

 

[13thKyCav]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I still have a pair of brogans I'd gotten in 1988, a CS infantry kepi & shell jacket from them. Along the years I'd also picked up a colonel's frock coat from a trade blanket. It is sad to not see their site any more. And thanks so much Jim W for that link, at least there's still something left online.

 

[frontrank2]

My first Hardee hat ( 6th Wisconsin) and frock coat were from Jarnagin about 30 years ago. Still use the hat but the coat is a little small.

 

[Dan Kohli]

I was hoping to get a leather neck stock from him in the future.

 

[iron bender]

Very obscure, but this is where 'reenacting' started for us. Today I was digging through and trashing old paper files at my shop and came across this gem. We made all of Dale's stampings for 30 years. Plates, cup bottoms, mucket lids and bottoms, forage cap buckles, belt clips, canteen halves, heel plates, shelter stakes, etc. Some of these items were copied from dug stuff found around the Jarnagin household. The Jarnagin's had an incredible collection of original 'stuff'. This bill is from August 82. Delivering parts to Corinth with my dad was my fav as a little kid. Getting to see everything at their house, plus the battlefield, and the mandatory Vicksburg/Championhill visit. FYI we still make all these stampings for several vendors/sutlers out of domestically made tin and brass. Buy USA!...and I wish David the best moving forward!

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Our unit in the 1980's 18th Mississippi Co. B Benton Rifles was outfitted by C&D Jarnagin. I still have my dress uniform as seen in my photo to left! They were a true quality manufacturer.

Hmmm.
Anyone in this photo look familiar to you? (Taken in front of Buffalo Historical Society Feb 1983.)

 

[JD-reb]

Hmmm.
Anyone in this photo look familiar to you? (Taken in front of Buffalo Historical Society Feb 1983.)

View attachment 581306

I sure do! That's me in upper left holding the Battle Flag! Both this later war shell jacket uniform and the gray dress uniform were manufactured by C&D Jarnagan. I also still have my dress uniform! Great memories of this group and times!