Vendor Feedback

[unionblue]

To All,

Just found this excellent thread and would like to ask any and all of your for help with an impression I would like to do.

For years in reenacting, I have portrayed primarily a Union infantryman followed by a Confederate infantryman. Well, years have passed and I am passing on my Union infantry uniform, equipment, etc., to my about to be 16 year old grandson.

I would like to do a civilian impression, perhaps that of a newspaper reporter.

Could any of you suggest a sutler that provides quality civilian clothing? From the feet up, I might add.

Appreciate any advice you could offer.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[kealbo54]

To All,

Just found this excellent thread and would like to ask any and all of your for help with an impression I would like to do.

For years in reenacting, I have portrayed primarily a Union infantryman followed by a Confederate infantryman. Well, years have passed and I am passing on my Union infantry uniform, equipment, etc., to my about to be 16 year old grandson.

I would like to do a civilian impression, perhaps that of a newspaper reporter.

Could any of you suggest a sutler that provides quality civilian clothing? From the feet up, I might add.

Appreciate any advice you could offer.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Well,Unionblue,I have been singing Andrew Kasmars praises for months.I have only been at the correspondant thing a little over a year,but have learned a ton.Would like to welcome yoi into our little circle of maniacs in the Bohemian Brigade if you would like.Just keep in mind,that as more or less"imbedded" reporters and artists,we dress for the field,and arent usually equipped for the ball-room.
Andrew has a facebook page and is the owner/proprietor of Beauregards tailor.His work is excellent,to say the least.His knowledge and research is in-depth,and his rates are,i think,quite reasonable,as well as his service and time on orders.
Maybe we will meet at the 150th Chickamauga?

 

[johan_steele]

To All,

Just found this excellent thread and would like to ask any and all of your for help with an impression I would like to do.

For years in reenacting, I have portrayed primarily a Union infantryman followed by a Confederate infantryman. Well, years have passed and I am passing on my Union infantry uniform, equipment, etc., to my about to be 16 year old grandson.

I would like to do a civilian impression, perhaps that of a newspaper reporter.

Could any of you suggest a sutler that provides quality civilian clothing? From the feet up, I might add.

Appreciate any advice you could offer.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Andrew Kasmar has been mentioned, Ezra Barnhouse & Stony Brook (they've had a significant amount of civilian items on their consignment page of late) are two others that come immedietly to mind.

 

[unionblue]

Well,Unionblue,I have been singing Andrew Kasmars praises for months.I have only been at the correspondant thing a little over a year,but have learned a ton.Would like to welcome yoi into our little circle of maniacs in the Bohemian Brigade if you would like.Just keep in mind,that as more or less"imbedded" reporters and artists,we dress for the field,and arent usually equipped for the ball-room.

This is exactly the impression I would like to do, dressing for the field and NOT the ballroom.

Andrew has a facebook page and is the owner/proprietor of Beauregards tailor.His work is excellent,to say the least.His knowledge and research is in-depth,and his rates are,i think,quite reasonable,as well as his service and time on orders.
Maybe we will meet at the 150th Chickamauga?

I am simply an old dinosaur when it comes to the likes of facebook. Do you mean to say the man has no online website?

And thank you so much for responding to me.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[unionblue]

Andrew Kasmar has been mentioned, Ezra Barnhouse & Stony Brook (they've had a significant amount of civilian items on their consignment page of late) are two others that come immedietly to mind.

Thanks, Johan, I'll look up them both.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[kealbo54]

I am simply an old dinosaur when it comes to the likes of facebook. Do you mean to say the man has no online website?

And thank you so much for responding to me.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Oh yes,you can go to his web-site by just typing in BeauregardsTailor

 

[kealbo54]

beauregardstailor.com

 

[unionblue]

Oh yes,you can go to his web-site by just typing in BeauregardsTailor

kealbo54,

Thanks for helping an old dinosaur navigate this 'brave new world.'

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[kealbo54]

Old dinosaur!? I imagine we could find each other in the same Labrea tar-pits.All it takes is,as with anything,a certain willingness to accept and welcome change!

 

[Tin cup]

I know Cody Mobley, and Phil Graf personally, gifted craftsmen on antebellum uniforms and clothing.
https://sites.google.com/site/companytailor/home
https://www.facebook.com/TheCompanyTailor
One of the Paletots they made.

Kevin Dally

 

[kealbo54]

I know Cody Mobley personally, a gifted craftsman on antebelem uniforms and clothing.
https://sites.google.com/site/companytailor/home
https://www.facebook.com/TheCompanyTailor
View attachment 17258One of the Paletots Cody made.

Kevin Dally

Aright dandy outfit!

 

[Diplogeek]

Just wanted to give a shout-out to Dirty Billy. I'm a bit of a hat fiend (understatement), and while I have a black slouch hat that I bought from Clearwater which is very well-made and that I like a lot, I wanted something a little different to wear with my Confederate impression when the occasion arose. I've been eying various Mosby hats (not least because the brim is a bit narrower and the way it's bent up a bit keeps it a little more out of the way when we're drilling), and after I went to Gettysburg and found Needle & Thread closed, I decided to check out Dirty Billy's, mostly because I'd never been there before. The woman at the counter left me alone while I tried on various hats and such, but she was helpful when I asked whether she had a Mosby in dark brown in my size, since the only one on the shelf was a size too large. She went into the back and got Bill, who first tracked one down and then offered to put some felt in the band to make sure it fit just right.

I know some people have had negative experiences with Dirty Billy and that he has a rep for having a somewhat... abrasive personality on occasion, but he was very cordial and helpful to me, and the hat itself is very well made, so I wanted to put in a good word for him. My only regret is that it's going to be about four weeks before I can wear this hat in the field!

 

[D.H. Hill]

Can anyone recommend the Galla Rock Oklahoma Mystery Jacket Pattern?
(http://stores.gallarockpatterns.com/-strse-37/GRSP-dsh-310-Galla-Rock-Trans/Detail.bok)
I know in the past some people have had issues with that company but mostly with delayed shipping, but all said reviews were all rather old.

 

[Diplogeek]

Here's some more positive feedback, this time for John Zaharias over at Button Baron. I got a Ben Tart RDII blank for Christmas, and I wanted to order buttons and thread to have on hand when it arrives. I'm also thinking about ordering an enlisted frock blank, since it looks like I may be signing on with a unit in Germany that does an AOT impression, and a frock would be a little more versatile than a Columbus Depot jacket. John has been incredibly helpful in giving me information and advice as far as sorting out my button options for both jackets, as well as suggesting some alternatives that might work better for me. If you do any of your own uniform construction (or want to try), I'd definitely recommend going to Button Baron for your buttons. They've got a huge selection and are really knowledgeable and helpful.

 

[johan_steele]

Here's some more positive feedback, this time for John Zaharias over at Button Baron. I got a Ben Tart RDII blank for Christmas, and I wanted to order buttons and thread to have on hand when it arrives. I'm also thinking about ordering an enlisted frock blank, since it looks like I may be signing on with a unit in Germany that does an AOT impression, and a frock would be a little more versatile than a Columbus Depot jacket. John has been incredibly helpful in giving me information and advice as far as sorting out my button options for both jackets, as well as suggesting some alternatives that might work better for me. If you do any of your own uniform construction (or want to try), I'd definitely recommend going to Button Baron for your buttons. They've got a huge selection and are really knowledgeable and helpful.

I'm not sure if I'm thinking of the same fella but several years ago I had a wonderful conversation w/ a button collector that owned an original "housewife." We had a long fascinating discusison about the huge variety of styles and materials of period buttons available during the ACW period. From clam shell "pearl" to the common paper backed tin. It led to a discussion about how clamming along the Mississippi river led to quite a few towns along the upper Mississippi opening button factories and how that badly damaged the ecosystem by the near extinction of certain kinds of clams. It will forever remind me how a seemingly unconnected hobby, like button collecting, can lead to a fascinating learning experiance.

 

[Phiip McBride]

Howdy,

I'm new to the forum and this is just my second post. Hats are a big deal to me and over 15 years I have bought good ones for me and my sons from the three makers: Clear Water, Tim Bender, and Dirty Billy.

Tim Bender's hats are the most recently bought and have been the quickest to arrive, and both are great.

The Clear Water hats have been the slowest to be made and shipped, and neither of them looked quite like what I thought I was getting from their website. On the other hand, I keep going back to both of them because they have worn so well over the long haul and have a character of their own and look like the well-worn slouch hats in the images I see of Confederate soldiers.

The hat and Zouave fez that I've bought by phone order from Dirty Billy also shipped quickly and are fine headgear. I was with a young reenactor in Billy's shop in Gettysburg in 2009 and the young guy wanted to buy an Indiana Jones looking hat, over my objections. Billy diplomatically guided the youngster to an appropriately shaped slouch that the guy still proudly wears. I also have to say Billy saw me just shy of going down from the heat and dehydration at the 150th Manassas event when after the Saturday battle, I walked into his tent with a friend. He immediately brought his own chair to me and gave me a bottle of cool water. That's how you make a lifelong friend.

At the 150th BGA Gettysburg this past summer I wore a tan Clear Water tall beehive bought in 1999, one son wore a brown Bender low beehive bought in 2010, and the other son wore a black low crown bowler bought from Dirty Billy in 2007. All of them were spot on for our Texas Reb impressions.

Phil McBride
The Alamo Rifles

 

[28thNewYork]

Just sent a "trial" order to Missouri Boot and Shoe to see if I want to order my representation "leathers" from them. Have also dealt with three individuals whom I would like to recommend (only one is a "vendor"):

Frank Starr--provided a beautiful M1841 for a reasonable price
Tom Frost--provided a superb Company of Military Historians pattern Federal haversack
George Duross (Partners Leather)--provided a nice piece of leather at a very reasonable price

The first two items are for the 28th New York representation while the leather will be used to create an apron for my planned carriage- and wagon-maker impression. Also have a Galla Rock shirt pattern coming for the latter.

 

[Phiip McBride]

Missouri Boot and Shoe Company has had a fine reputation for a long time, and I have to add my endorsement. I wear his shoes that fit just right. I use his Houston Depot Confederate cartridge box and cap box, and am delighted with their quality, even though he appears to have stopped offering those two products.

 

[28thNewYork]

Want to commend the quality of service and product I've recently received from Boyd Miles. Been debating about a civilian hat to wear, wavering between straw, a bowler, and an old fatigue cap (my impression is of a "current" carriage- & wagon-maker/former War of 1812 soldier). Saw Boyd's 1850s-'60s "mechanics" hat and knew I had my answer. He happened to have it in stock in my size. Arrived within four days with a complementary color silk cravat as a bonus. Not much more to say...

On a slightly different note, would also like to recommend Dragon Hobby of Sterling, VA to those of us who model and/or collect military models. Dragon carries the excellent Verlinden line of figure models, both 1/35 and 1/16 (120mm), and has again provided me a new resin model at a very good price with quick turn-around.

 

[28thNewYork]

Missouri Boot and Shoe Company has had a fine reputation for a long time, and I have to add my endorsement. I wear his shoes that fit just right. I use his Houston Depot Confederate cartridge box and cap box, and am delighted with their quality, even though he appears to have stopped offering those two products.

Received the cap box from MB&S early last week and couldn't be happier. I'll definitely be ordering from them again in the near future.