Dixiegunworks; Good or Bad?

[SethJ]

I've been looking for nice and accurate patterns for making federal trousers and a sack coats. I know of the obvious "civilwarpatterns", but I'll be the first to admit, I'm not very skinny. Not only that, but I prefer a physical pattern. Well, in my search, lo' and behold, I find Dixiegunworks sells patterns for both. I've purchased from Dixiegunworks before (a CSA bowie knife), and know that they are good and friendly folks over there, but I have not purchased anything besides that.
I was wondering if their patterns were up to snuff for making 'campaign' quality clothing (most likely using fabric from Joanns, being the closest fabric provider by me.)

But not only have I the question about the patterns, i also have the question about their other goods. Things like their forage caps, which I have considered purchasing. I'm unsure from the picture given on their page if it would be a purchase, I would be thankful I made, or a purchase I would heartfully regret.
(Federal Blue Forage Cap Listing)

I've also wondered about their quality of other items. Their canteens are apparently soldered with lead, and I've heard their rifles are imported. So, I'm unsure if its recommended for more than just patterns, or if it's recommended for those even.
Any advice, either secondhand or firsthand would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
-Seth

 

[Pollaco]

No complaints!

 

[Dan Kohli]

Their website is easy to use, and customer service is decent. The Italian imports are actually pretty good and are widely used in the hobby. As for their clothing patterns and leathers, there are companies who are better known for their campaigner quality patterns, leathers, clothing, and fabric.
I will try to compile a list when I have time.

 

[thomas aagaard]

" I've heard their rifles are imported"
Only original springfields are not imported. ;-)



An alternative would be buying kits from wambaugh, White & Co.

Garment Kits

Wambaugh, White & Company produces high-quality, museum-grade reproduction Civil War uniforms and clothing.

wwandcompany.com

Everything is already cut so you just need to put it together.

 

[captaindrew]

Dixie for guns, absolutely, I've dealt with them a few times. But for clothing there are better options. I'll second @thomas aagaard recommendation above. Several of the good quality uniform guys like Wambaugh and White and Ben Tart offer kits you can assemble. You know you'll be getting top notch patterns and the correct fabrics.

 

[RedRover]

REcommend you steer clear of the patterns Dixie sells. For Patterns, most are costumey, and not produced by a tailor. IN fact the "Period Impressions" patterns Dixie GW and other sutlers sell are POORLY designed, and bear almost no relation to historical garments. Recommend steer clear.

I can only recommend US Army patterns from Charlie Childs:

Childs, US Army patterns, Civil War....

These are the patterns that the best Civil war period tailors/vendors use. Childs drafts them from period tailoring books and comparison with original garments. Whereas most of the costumey patterns sold for civil war clothes are just variations of modern blue jeans or pajamas patterns... and look it.

For the Army trousers too, I also HIGHLY recommend Past Patterns' US Army trousers pattern. Comes with extensive notes on the construction and variations of the originals, and detailed drawings of the processes of assembly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you are not familiar with sewing or the assembly of period Army trousers:

Past Patterns: US Army trousers...Pattern

Wambaugh and White, and Ben Tart (BnB Tart, or Tartex textiles) sell the correct blue flannel for sack coats, and sky blue kersey for trousers. In fact, Wambaugh sells pre-cut kits of sack coats and army trousers, with assembly instructions. I think its a deal, considering you are only paying shipping for the cloth that will be used; also getting the right patterns.

I am a fan of Dixie Gun Works; buy lots of books, and other shooting supplies from them. But their replica CW clothing is not considered particularly "authentic" if compared to originals, though depending upon the reenactment group, might meet their standards.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I go there for gun stuff but nothing else really.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Some of their swords are tempting to get, especially the Model 1832 Foot Artillery sword.

 

[iron bender]

Dixie for guns, absolutely, I've dealt with them a few times. But for clothing there are better options. I'll second @thomas aagaard recommendation above. Several of the good quality uniform guys like Wambaugh and White and Ben Tart offer kits you can assemble. You know you'll be getting top notch patterns and the correct fabrics.

Received my 3rd sack coat in my lifetime over 35 years, and my first from Wambaugh and White yesterday. It's the way to go. They say be ready to wait 4 months but I got mine in one month. Fits just like a piece of USGI gear should fit. Sleeves too short, shoulders a touch too tight and the gut a little big just the way I love it! Give them your measurements and it'll fit the way it should. I'm a big guy at 6'2, 44 chest and 230 lbs. Best I've seen! First I had was an unlined Jarnagin at 87 Shiloh at 12 years old. This Wambaugh/White is the tits compared to the old stuff. As for Dixie Gun Works, they're my fav, for black powder stuff....read gun stuff, as in shooting black powder musket/rifle/pistol. Not too sure about their CW uniform stuff

 

[captaindrew]

Received my 3rd sack coat in my lifetime over 35 years, and my first from Wambaugh and White yesterday. It's the way to go. They say be ready to wait 4 months but I got mine in one month. Fits just like a piece of USGI gear should fit. Sleeves too short, shoulders a touch too tight and the gut a little big just the way I love it! Give them your measurements and it'll fit the way it should. I'm a big guy at 6'2, 44 chest and 230 lbs. Next to my old Keaghy sack coat it's the best I've seen. First I had was an unlined Jarnagin at 87 Shiloh at 12 years old. This Wambaugh/White is the tits compared to the old stuff. As for Dixie Gun Works, they're my fav, for black powder stuff....read gun stuff, as in shooting black powder musket/rifle/pistol. Not too sure about their CW uniform stuff

W&W are definitely top notch, just about all my clothing I use now for both US and CS impressions has come from them. You did luck out timewise, you probably caught them at the right time when they were making a run of them, they send small batches of them to a couple sutlers. Everything else is 4 months or more but their quality is worth the wait.

 

[RedRover]

W&W are definitely top notch, just about all my clothing I use now for both US and CS impressions has come from them. You did luck out timewise, you probably caught them at the right time when they were making a run of them, they send small batches of them to a couple sutlers. Everything else is 4 months or more but their quality is worth the wait.

Any idea on the delivery time on his garment kits?

 

[captaindrew]

Any idea on the delivery time on his garment kits?

I believe they come out rather quickly but I've always ordered finished products so don't quote me on that. Send Dan an email and ask, he's really good about answering in a timely matter with any question I ever had.

 

[RedRover]

I believe they come out rather quickly but I've always ordered finished products so don't quote me on that. Send Dan an email and ask, he's really good about answering in a timely matter with any question I ever had.

Thanks. I have also appreciated his customer service from past years, though have personally been out of the loop for several years.

A LOOONG time ago I got one of his sack coat kits, and it was super. Might get another.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Any idea on the delivery time on his garment kits?

I ordered in early September 2021 and would think time varies.

It took 10 days from order to shipping.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I ordered a haversack kit from him and it came in about a week, if I remember. It may depend on what you order though, I imagine a haversack is easier to cut than say, a frock coat kit.

 

[drezac]

I ordered their M1841 Artillery Sabre ( the $49 one) several years ago. I have been pleased with it. I ordered it with full knowledge that it would not be top quality, however at that time I only was going to use it one time a year when we do our Lincoln repose at the Ohio State House for honor guard duty.