Opinions on Quality / Authenticity

[toccoa42]

Of this vendor:

http://www.blockaderunner.com/

I've not seen them on the approved vendor list. Any helpful opinions, positive or negative, are welcome.

Thanks,
Lynn Kessler

[paulcalloway]

It's been a long while since I've seen anything produced by blockade runner but I have to say that what they used to carry wasn't the kind of uniforms or equipment that I would recommend to those wanting to field a progressive/authentic impression - whether military or civilian.

You have to make your own decisions, but remember the authenticity triad of materials, craftsmanship and patterns - you should never buy from any maker who is taking shortcuts on any of those three.

The makers who I CAN speak for are listed on our Approved Vendors list. We recommend you use these vendors whenever possible (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/links).

[ElizabethClark]

Speaking only as to women's things, I've not seen anything listed in their on-line catalog that meets my own history-heavy requirements for the Materials/Craftsmanship/Patterns triad Paul mentions. Examining the sites and products of the few citizen-wear vendors on the Approved Vendors list will be instructional to those seeking a different level of accuracy in their clothing.

[Craig L Barry]

I will take a stab at answering this. Residing in Middle TN, I can claim first hand familiarity with most of the products offered by BRI. In my experience doing product reviews as Asst Editor of the Watchdog Civil War quarterly I find that with most things you get what you pay for. BRI's primary market is "soup-to-nuts mainstream on a budget". That said, they have some reproductions of tools like the Enfield combo tool, and various US pattern rifle musket and musket tools that are exact copies, very nicely made. Their Enfield snap cap chain is right, tear drop shaped, etc. Very nice. Again copied from an original in hand. They are working on reproducing a correct iron snap cap to go on that fine chain, but they do not have one yet. BRI also produces some good tin canteens, including a tin St Louis Depot version that is copied from an original where they reproduced the sloppy welds and the spout just right. The original is in the store, if you want to compare it. I know because I did. You can get a decent jean cloth cover and hemp twine cork wire with their canteens. However, side by side they offer stainless steel canteens, too...obviously those are not recommended.

The BRI "de-farbed" Enfield done by Todd Watts is very, very good. I've seen them all, too. See the review in the book The Civil War Musket (Watchdog 2006) Todd is a professional gunsmith. After seeing what he could do, I recently had him re-work the stock, barrel proofs, barrel bluing, bands and so on for my son's P-53, which was already de-farbed by an approved service provider, but not to the standard of detail from Todd Watts. The ramrod channel is marked, under the barrel he has copied the barrel maker's stamp and other neat details like a JS anchor stamp and rack numbers on the tang and ramrod. The stock re-contouring and re-finish with boiled linseed oil is a big plus. Nobody else currently takes it as far as Todd does for BRI. His barrel proof marks are non-pareil. It is very hard to get a decent stamped impression on that hard steel barrel that is not deep in the middle and too light on the edges. Todd gets it just right. I can tell you from having done it the barrel proofs are very hard to get right. His stock and barrel stamps are the best in the business, and so is his re-bluing, and re-case coloring of the lock plate. Todd also does de-farbs of 1842s, US 1861s and CS Richmonds which can be recommended, too, but the Enfield is the real speciality. These are enthusiastically recommended.

BRI has a decent repro Enfield bayonet with a correctly blued socket and BSAT marks copied from an original from Birmingham maker Geo Salter. I don't know of any others offering accuracy modified Enfield bayonets like these, which can be recommended.BRI sells a variety of Civil War books, some from approved vendors, they carry the Columbia Rifles Research Compendium, which most of us would agree is a fine work, a book well worth having.

On the downside, BRI's leather cartridge boxes and cap pouches are strictly the cheap imported variety, same with shoes (made in India). Uniforms, shirts and hats are hit or miss. Mostly miss. BRI cuts corners there. They are well known for their tents, but those are not hand made to the standards of the A-C community from what I observed. Not up the same attention to detail as the recommended items mentioned above. They offer an Enfield thong tied leather sling which is not recommended, a copy of a design from November 1871. I don't know why that is. Hard to say. That sling sticks out like a sore thumb. And so on...

In conclusion, some BRI products are very good, some are so-so and some are not recommended at all. If you don't do the recommended research buyer beware. All in all, you will do better on most items with the A-C approved vendors. These vendors specialize in producing well researched, top quality items...no corners cut. However, BRI does have some good competively priced products that can be individually recommended as outlined above.

[DougCooper]

Lynn, I have had occasion recently to extensively examine some of the their uniform items, insignia, etc. Everything I have seen in person was incorrect in pattern, materials and construction. They say alot about their "extensive collection of original items" being the models for many of their articles. Of course, no one is allowed to see this collection and in any case, the reproductions probably have nothing in common anyway.

There are two exceptions:

1. Leech and Rigdon sword snaps are excellent (made off originals).

2. A copper mess plate patterned after one dug near Hoover's Gap appears to be a good repro as well.

They also have a good collection of books.

And that is about it. I can't speak to weapons or accessories - Craig has that covered well.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

I got from them a wonderful knife & fork combo, its the type that has a wood handle and they slide into each other. They are the only sutler I've seen with them, they must've had them commissioned.

Some of their buttons are nice too.

Greg Starbuck

[Frenchie]

On the plus side, Blockade Runner has correct U.S. Navy hard rubber buttons http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg29.htm

[tarheelmilitia]

I myself have been pondering their N.C. buttons. The silver washed ones are mighty enticing. Has anyone purchased any of these?

[27thNCdrummer]

Dana,
I checked C. Terry Teff's book North Carolina Civil War Buttons and I didn't see any silver washed state seal buttons in the book. There were plenty of brass and copper washed buttons. The Blockade Runner's copper and brass washed NC buttons look good though.

[Joe Walker]

I have a dug NC state seal button with Silver wash. (about 1/2 of the silver left).

Joe Walker

[Clsinclair]

I would visit Wartrace, TN to run in the Strolling Jim 40 miler. The Blockade Runner had a store in town. Now it is between Wartrace and Bell Buckle, TN. During my last trip I did visit the Blockade Runner and their collection was in a large room beside the main part. All the items in the collection were original. I especially wanted to see an 1858 smooth side canteen to see if it had a green looking patina on it. My original has the green patina and I thought at first that someone had painted it. They had one and it had the same patina. The main reason that I visited was to purchase a scabbard for my NCO sword. Over the phone I was told that they would sell me one without the sword. When I arrived they would not sell me one without the sword. I explained to the owner what was said and who said it. He walked in a back room and brought me an original scabbard for a musicians sword. He just said here and I took it and he didn't charge for it. It didn't fit and I sold it for $125 to a collector.

I have purchased a Federal Frock coat from them and it was made of the same heavy wool that is sold on sutler row. I have since sold the coat and had one made with English broadcloth. I have also purchased a CD Jacket and it was so-so. I also sold it and then purchased one from Chris Daley. Daley's was much better and correctly made. I have also purchased the Enfield tool and it is correct.

I advise anyone who is new to consult someone that knows what is correct and what is junk. Perhaps I should have followed that advice when I was new and I would not have wasted so much money. I would say that 90 percent of my kit was purchased from the approved vendors on this list and the other was purchased from another well known vendor with the exception of the things that I make for myself.

Regards,
Claude Sinclair

[Rebel Yell1863]

I bought a uniform and a few other things from them when I started reenacting. I have since SOLD all of it! Your best bet is to stick with the approved vendors list, then you only have to buy the stuff one time! Because it's done right.:D

[26NCT]

Dana,
I checked C. Terry Teff's book North Carolina Civil War Buttons and I didn't see any silver washed state seal buttons in the book. There were plenty of brass and copper washed buttons. The Blockade Runner's copper and brass washed NC buttons look good though.

Take a look on page 22 of Mr. Teff's book. For the button he has cataloged as NC-7 Blank Back 23MM. In the description of that button he states, I have seen combinations of materials including brass fronts and copper back, copper fronts and brass back; plus silvered examples." Now even Mr. Teff states in his book that it's not the end all book on NC buttons and he list severall other books and articles that he feels offer more information on the subject.

[27thNCdrummer]

I was not trying to state that the silver washed buttons did not exist just that they did not seem to be that common. I have a friend that does a lot of relic hunting in Petersburg and other sites in NC and he does not talk about finding any silver washed NC state seal buttons. I do not doubt that they existed and were worn on some jackets, just not as common as the brass and copper buttons.

[tarheelmilitia]

Follow this link and you will find an example of the silver washed state seal. http://www.cwartifax.com/cgi-bin/display_items.asp?cat=34&Next=10 Wish I could find one!

[mattifatti]

I was wondering if anybody has purchased anything from the Blockade Runner and what they thought of those goods on authenticity standards? I did look in the approved vendors section and did not notice them there but I did not know if many people knew of them as when I ask questions at events most people say, "Who? Huh?"
thanks for your help,
Matt Kraybill

[Vuhginyuh]

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11341&highlight=blockade+runner

[FlaYankee]

I have one of the Blockade Runner p53 bayonets. It is very comparible to my original p53 bayonet I purchased years ago. The only thing that bugged me was the locking ring and screw on their bayonet. I recommend replacing it with an original locking ring and screw (blued of course), purchased seperatly from Lodgewood Mfg as I did.
Just my .02.
Kindest Regards

[Johnny Lloyd]

Hello-

Gotta be "pick-and-choose" with Blockade Runner... the site is mainstream with some progressive, but has a -select few- items that are nice. The blued Enfield bayonets are nice as well as are some of the small parts they have. But if someone cares about what they sell, then that means they will sell only historically-correct items (or, at least ones that their proper research/existing pattern study has found). If you buy anything, then get a money-back guarantee if not completely satisfied.
It looks to me Blockade Runner is trying their best to go more toward correctness and not totally the tchochkies [sic- help me spell that darn word] the "sutler row" tents consistantly try to sell at mainstream/national events. Applause for that.

Notice I wrote -select few- items... caveat emptor

That's my 2 cents... it's as good as anyone else's. :p
-Johnny

[gilham]

QUOTE=Frenchie;63829]On the plus side, Blockade Runner has correct U.S. Navy hard rubber buttons http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg29.htm[/QUOTE][/PHP]


Just so you know the 1851 Goddyear hard rubber buttons they carry are plastic

[Csayankee]

Well that have bought three items from them when I first started, I have two of them left. I purchased a 1853 Enfield because they have the best price on non-defarbed rifles around here. I also purchased a bayonet for that rifle and it did not have any of the mordern Indian markings. The scabbard did ok for a 7 rivet and I have it some were in the junk pile.

[toccoa42]

the tchochkies [sic- help me spell that darn word]

Chochkarai -- somewhat corrupted Yiddish -- means knicknacks of a very cheap and crappy sort -- what your grandmother wouldn't dare sell at her tag sale for fear of ridicule.

[Johnny Lloyd]

You corrected "Ridicule"... touche, mon ami! LOL

Lynn- sir, we do have to meet one of these days... Look up on here John Greenfield or any one of the Gawd Awful Mess-ers. Seem to be a good bunch of guys.

Ugh... you said "tag sale" for "yard sale"- you sure ARE from New England... lol ;)

Ya' know what farbonzo sutler trinkets I mean, though. :D

Needed a laugh..

Cheers- Johnny

[toccoa42]

Ugh... you said "tag sale" for "yard sale"- you sure ARE from New England... lol ;)

Actually, I'm FROM Indiana. There, it's "garage sale". But tag sale will do.

I moved here in 1976. The most difficult linguistic change to get used to was calling a "sub" a "grinder". And I now pahk ma kah.

Ya' know what farbonzo sutler trinkets I mean, though. :D

Yes I do. I don't buy them.

Lynn- sir, we do have to meet one of these days... Look up on here John Greenfield or any one of the Gawd Awful Mess-ers. Seem to be a good bunch of guys.

Will you be at Rememberance Day in Gburg?

[Todd Watts]

Been poking around here and looking at what is said about BRI. There are some items they have that indeed are on the cheap side. They have a lot that is really decent quality for the money, and some stuff that they really strive to "get right." I suspect this is the same for any sutlery. I am there almost weekly and have the benefit of actually knowing the staff almost as an employee and have discussed what I read here and hear in camps regarding some of their items. I can tell you that primarily, they are a business. They strive to make customers happy first, and a huge part of that is price. They have over the years spent a lot of money and effort to have some things detailed, only to have to price them then so high that they do not sell, effectively leaving them with a box of perfect stuff they cannot sell. So, booties, bayonets and scabbards, suspenders, tinware, etc. from India simply has to be the case for them to sell them at the prices the consumers demand. They don't like it but business demands it. They have "stitch Naziis" order jackets from time to time with certain numbers of stitches per inch to copy some jacket that is in a museum someplace, and when they then quote the very high price for doing this added hand-labor, the customer gets angry and argues with them. It used to bother them but now they just shrug and hope the guy is happy buying from someplace else willing to do that added labor and loosing money in the process by paying the seamstress more for less productivity.:rolleyes:

I guess what I want to say is that Connie and Jerry at the BRI really do care about this hobby and want to make us all very happy. However, they also have to stay in business so they are forced to cut corners here and there. We just have to learn what is "right" from them and get those items. The novices can jump in with their prices and buy all the other items and be pleased. As they learn and want more authentic stuff they then can start zeroing in on the right item from the right sutler. You won't meet nicer people either.:)

[Bob Steele]

I would just like to mention that Craig L. Barry 's post on Blockade Runner is the kind of information I am looking for. I have wondered about the de-farbed Enfield offered by Blockade Runner and wether it was any good or not. Craig's excellent post answers the question. You can find some articles which are good at main stream sutlers, but you have to be very careful as most items are far from authentic. Best to stay with the approved vendors at AC unless, like Craig, you know otherwise.

[WoodenNutmeg]

I moved here in 1976. The most difficult linguistic change to get used to was calling a "sub" a "grinder". And I now pahk ma kah.

Grinder is about as Connecticut as it gets.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Grinder is about as Connecticut as it gets"

I moved once, and went from a "sub" to a "hoaggie," and some clerk that wanted to put "soda in a sack" rather than my "pop in a bag." (Sorry Dad...)

Curt
American English Mess