Please see these two links:
www.libertyrifles.org
www.libertyrifles.org
Unless I am reading these (excellent) articles incorrectly, it would seem likely that there was little to no interfacing used on RD jackets, compared to the ones in the second link.
Interfacing was very common on men's jackets of the time, so if it is not there to any great extent, maybe a tactic to save on fabric cost?
Comments?
The Confederate Clothing Bureau jackets were not tailored, but were mass produced. Cut out at clothing facilities, and Given out in kits and sewn up by country women.
This doesn't mean no Confederate jackets were interlined. Those tentatively identified as "Charleston" jackets have interlining in the collars to give them some support unlike the Richmond ones.
Here's reference to some Dept. of Alabama jackets with some interlining in parts...
As Les Jensen observed in his ground-breaking article, Survey of Government Made Confederate Jackets , there was a distinct style which he dubbed the “Department of Alabama” jacket. Jensen gave...
www.adolphusconfederateuniforms.com
Complete interfacings, padded linings, etc. were hallmarks for tailored garments of the period. The padded linings, interfacings, etc. made the garment at least appear to better advantage in wear. They could be added by the soldier who cared rather more for his appearance.
But the The Confederate "gray jacket" of jeans etc. was more akin working man's "livery" in make than anything fashionable....
The Confederate papers called on the public to supply the soldiers, so far as they could from late 1861 with such dress, and it subsequently became the Army standard...
"Clothing our Soldiers—All who can do should at the earliest possible day, make up something like the following for their friends and relatives; two pairs of pants, heavy brown or gray mixed jeans lined, if thought advisable with domestic. One roundabout, or army jacket of the same material, lined throughout, with side and vest pockets. It should be long enough to come some four inches below the waistband of the pants and large enough to be worn over the vest or outside shirt. One heavy vest of jeans, linsey or kersey; One overshirt, of some woolen or mixed goods, one or two pairs of drawers, as the case may require, two pairs of heavy woolen socks, one good blanket ["lined is advisable"], or a loose sack coat; or hunting shirt with belt."
Stuff made up for work, wasn't generally gotten up fancy like with padding, etc. where it wasn't necessary.
The coarse cloth generally used was of the class frequently used to mass produce negro clothing before the war. One Confederate noted it was the standard for army purposes... even for tailored outfits for lack of better...
Mosby said the Confederate mass produced clothing was precisely like penitentiary dress... and perhaps was made there...
Fashion wise, one wag said the simple and cheap Army jackets they were made to fit a barrel: ""Anybody could put on the clothing, but scarcely any object in nature, except a flour barrel, would find a fit…" and another, "the cloth was of rough coarse texture, and the cutting and style would have produced a sensation in the fashionable circles..."
The US Army's fatigue sacks had no interlinings either. The Confederate army jacket was the southern equivalent.
Bringing the