Civil War Flags?

["Lo" 1863]

Did not know where to post this exactly, so I hope it's ok here. Anyway I was wondering where is the best place to buy cotton flags that match the real flags used in the civil war? You know like the kind the reenactors use. Thanks!

 

[.Ol'WarHorse]

Not sure if there cotton, but down in Gettysburg they have a ton. Stars and Bars, Erin Go Bragh, you name it, that place has it.

Here is a good internet store. Can't say I saw this store while I was down there though.

http://www.gettysburgflag.com/Civil_War_Flag.php

 

[johan_steele]

What are you willing to spend? A true authentic flag is going to start in the $1000 range because the fabric was typically silk, and it was good sized often 4' x 6'. If you are wanting something to hang from your flag pole polyester flags are $20-30 or so. Huge difference.

My unit paid well over $1000 for our National, a Regimental is going to run us $1500 minimum.

 

[Dred]

I could ask my unit where they got this flag. The one in the pic. It was custom ordered and seemed to take forever to get it, but it IS beautiful!

 

["Lo" 1863]

What about this site? I have been looking at it for a while. By the way the South used cotton for the most part for their flags, right???

http://www.shopcivilwar.com/civil_war_flags_page2.htm

 

[larry_cockerham]

There were of course, no polyester flags in the war since the DuPonts were busy making gunpowder. Cotton is soft and fuzzy and is pleasant to hold and look at and should be kept indoors as much as possible. If you are going to be out in the rain, such as one might expect at parades and events. (Us southern folks do a lot of that. Gives us an excuse to bring out the Southern Cross) then a good grade polyester has it's merits. As Shane pointed out, there are many sutlers about the land who will create anything imaginable for a fee. The price of course goes up with the labor involved. The key to reaching those folks is to contact a variety of re-enactor outfits. All have sources because of the necessity for flags. I can find out who our local guys use if you need it. I'm in Tennessee.

 

[unionblue]

Larry,

When my reenacting unit, the 76th OVI had their repro flags made of silk, like the originals were, we paid $500 for the National (Stars & Stripes) and $1,000 for the Regimental (as I recall).

These were both hand painted and took a few months to produce.

But man, was it worth it, the first time we unfurled them at a battlefield reenactment!

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[johan_steele]

http://regimentalcolors.net/

The link is just one site for hyperaccurate museum quality repros, you pay for it too.

There are others out there but these fellas are the high end.