Thoughts on K. Windahl & Co for custom Jacket

[rebracer]

I have been trying to find someone to do a custom CS shell jacket for me based on some photos I see K. Windahl & Co will do custom versions of their commutation jacket which would work for what I want.

What is everyone's experience with them? What are your thoughts on the quality/authenticity?

Ive reached out to Wambaugh, White & Co. on this project but they dont seem interested. Anyone else yall would recommend?

 

[RedRover]

Beauregard's Tailor, advertises for custom orders as well.

Historic Reproductions

Authentic reproductions of historic 19th century military uniforms including Federal, Confederate, and other Civil War era garments. Custom and made-to-order.

beauregardstailor.shop

 

[Mississippian1861]

I've heard good things about Mr. Windahl, but have not used him. Aside from Beauregard's Tailor, I think Joe Blount of Carter and Jasper will do custom orders as well.

 

[rebracer]

Thanks guys, Ill consider all of these options.

 

[captaindrew]

Windahl does nice work but expect a very long wait. What are you looking to have done?

 

[rebracer]

This jacket worn by men of the 42nd AL Inf, 7 buttons with the two breast pockets and what looks like a visible hem at the buttons. I have never really seen this jacket anywhere else but I have two photos of two different men from the 42nd wearing similar jackets with these two breast pockets.

I dont mind waiting for someone to do this jacket the way I want, but I dont want to wait a year I guess.

 

[Mississippian1861]

Ben Tart might be able to cut out a jacket like it. His commutation jacket blanks are pretty customizable via his acwkits.com site. You may want to reach out.

 

[rebracer]

Here is another man of the 42nd AL, the same distinct breast slit ppocketsand hem on the edges along the buttons. The color may be tapered on this one and a darker color but it's still very similar. It's rare to see similar jackets like this for most AOT units in my research. These two men were in different Companies so I beleive these two photos are enough evidence to surmize this could be a somewhat standardized jacket worn by men of the 42nd.

 

[captaindrew]

Check the Honest Sutler also if you haven't already, he makes some really nice stuff

 

[rebracer]

Check the Honest Sutler also if you haven't already, he makes some really nice stuff

Ok, Im not familiar with him, Ill take a look.

 

[rebracer]

*Update to this thread*

Well after the wait my jacket is finished it arrived yesterday and Kyle (K. Windahl & Co) did an excellent job! It was well worth the wait and we talked at length about the details of it before he got started. It is the closest I think we can get to the jacket in the photos above. As this was done as a commutation jacket some custom touches were included such as Gash Shirting for the body liner and muslin for the sleeves. based on the pronounced stitch lines in the original photo we went with machine top stitching as this was also not a depot jacket. While I was 90% sure the buttons in the photo were federal eagles, I went with cast brass buttons as it has been confirmed nearly all of the buttons dug in the Alabama parole camps after Vicksburg were cast brass Block I buttons.The jacket material is a Tart Drab jean.

here are some photos, Kyle has this jacket up on his facebook page and he now has photos of my jacket on his website for Commutation Jacket examples.

 

[captaindrew]

Nice jacket! Good quality is certainly worth the wait. Thanks for the report, pics, and glad you're happy with it.