question on Jarnigan equipment

[billmatt04]

Gentlemen,
I know that this forum is to be reserved for strictly correct uniform and equipment articles, but I was wondering if uniform articles made by Jarnigan would be allowed to be sold on this forum? The only reason I ask is because I have some uniform articles from them and if I were to want to sell them, I was wondering if this forum would be appropriate. I would appreciate any feedback.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
Pvt. 104th Illinois Vol. Inf.

[K Bartsch]

Gentlemen,
I know that this forum is to be reserved for strictly correct uniform and equipment articles, but I was wondering if uniform articles made by Jarnigan would be allowed to be sold on this forum? The only reason I ask is because I have some uniform articles from them and if I were to want to sell them, I was wondering if this forum would be appropriate. I would appreciate any feedback.

Sincerely,
Matthew Cassady
Pvt. 104th Illinois Vol. Inf.

Matthew,
While I'm not a moderator, I feel quite confident in writing that you would not be permitted to attempt to sell military clothing manufactured by C & D Jarnigan on this site -- simply because the items are not generally considered acceptable reproductions of Civil War military clothing within the c/p/h community. That said, I assume you're upgrading your impression and thus have items you no longer need or want. That would also seem to indicate that you've embarked on this "journey without end which has authenticity as its destination." Welcome! In the meantime, I'd respectfully suggest you would probably do better to put them up over at cwreenactors.com or better yet, you might offer them for sale to friends who are still engaged in mainstream reenacting.
Cordially,

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Matthew,

Are you talking about equipment or uniforms? Your subject title says equipment, but your post says uniforms... If it's unifoms, then here is my suggestion.

Do you own a dog?

If so, I recommend tying a big knot in your Jarnigan uniform and let your dog have at it. Dogs love um....

woof woof.....Good Doggie!!

Just a friendly suggestion.

[DougCooper]

As Aaron and Keith have said, Jarnagin uniforms are not up to snuff. They fall far short in pattern, materials (correct wool and wool jean) and construction techniques (handsewn buttonholes, etc). A glance at the names of their fabrics is a quick clue. It has always been a mystery to me how some of Jarnagin's equipment could be passable and yet the uniforms completely unacceptable. But it's all relative I suppose. There are some costume makers out there who advertise that they can beat the "high price" of Jarnagin with of course completely awful garments. Best bet is to sell yours within a mainstream unit or on the Szabo forum as suggested above. Good luck and come back to our resources page for the sources of the correctly rendered uniforms.

[JimConley]

Please, no Jarnagin here. Follow Aaron's advice and tear the s@%t up. I know that the stuff may look better than most of what's out there in the mainstream, but don't add to that. My improper stuff sits in a closet under a bunch of junk. Jarnagin stuff may be better than most mainstream sutlers, but the idea is to get those boys interested in new gear to go to PROPER vendors and get the right stuff. I would personally feel guilty selling something improper to someone, hardcore or mainstream.

[edharmon]

What is the quality like for their non-uniform goods (gum blankets, tin ware, leathers, etc.)?

[yankee659]

I like to wear my improper sack coat on a cool spring or fall day doing yard work and such, sure it does'nt look snappy for living history, but works well for practical use. Hey, tactical to practical (I crack myself up). ;)

jeremy mohr
yankee659@hotmail.com

[JustRob]

What is the quality like for their non-uniform goods (gum blankets, tin ware, leathers, etc.)?

Ed,

I have found Jarnagin non-uniforms to be good, depending on the particular equipment in quesiton.

Jarnagin is not the very top of the line for leathers, but they are still quite good, and within "reasonable tollerances". They offer an excellent variety of cartridge and cap boxes.

I have had good experience with their tinware. Like the leathers, some makers are better, but Jarnagin is well within spec.

The Jarnagin gum blanket is about the only good one on the market. Their latest offering is copied off an original and is quite decent (if still a bit heavy).

People have been less complementary about their knapsacks, mostly because of the construction methods used. Still, I had a Jarnagin knapsack for years and got nothing but complements on it from the campaigners.

I hope this helps.

[Jeffrey Przewozniak]

I have found Jarnagin non-uniforms to be good, depending on the particular equipment in quesiton.

Eallo all,

I feel uneasy about personally endorsing one vendor's product while at the same time avioding other items sold by that same vendor like the plague due to their inaccuracies. It's not a matter of finding the best products without rhyme, reason, or regard for anything except the end result, it's a matter of principle. Would you have no trouble buying an excellent leather belt from the same fellow who has a "SUPER SALE!" sign on a dozen stainless steel dark blue covered canteens in that same tent? I would.

In the case of the gum blanket in question, one is really caught between a rock and a hard place, considering it's supposed to be the best.

It's a big ol' compromise for reenactors...and I don't like compromises. I am in earnest,

[PieBoy96]

To echo what Rob said above, I do agree that most of their uniforms and equipment are inappriopriate for this forum. However, I found that some of their items are, again, "very close."

Their leathers have been improving and I have one of their US cap pouches and cartridge boxes myself. When I get some dough for CS leathers, I think I will go to a higher grade, but I am fairly satisfied with my US stuff.

And I, too, have been carrying a retarred Jarnagin knapsack and haversack. It's funny though, because on MORE than one occaision, guys have complimented my knapsack...including Tim Sheads of S&S. They always take a look at it and ask, "Wow, who made your knapsack?" Obviously only looks of foolishness come aross their face when I break the news it's a repainted Jarnagin, haha.

Anyway, I've seen most Jarnagin items removed by moderators on the Wanting to Sell threads, with the exception of some of their leathers and their gum blankets. If you're looking to sell, do something as suggested above, or heck even keep them. Bury that sack coat in the ground for a week or two and boom---Sherman's March impression....just kidding. Actually that kinda stuff is also great for films....nothing like getting a squib through an old coat!

Good luck!

[Nighthawk]

Jarnigan leather gear really isn't bad at all, and as I have had several of their boxes over the last few years, I can say that Dave is really producing better quality leather gear than ever before. I had the opportunity to examine and handle an original Bivens Bros. Shelbyville Ctg. box this weekend. I must say, the Jarnigan repro I have is pretty much spot on for the original. Even the "sunburst" style vice marks were very close in design to the original. The tooled line around the edge of the outer flap was deeper and wider than the repro, but that is easily corrected. The buckles in particular were very close to the original in configuration.
I know there was some discussion on the old board about the practice Jarnigans uses of pre punching their stitch holes. Well, I have handled an original CS holster that had rows of pre punched holes at all different odd angles and positions on it. The owner diagramed it as if it were opened and lying flat, and lo and behold, the pre punched holes were for the belt and sling loops, and buckles of a cartridge box! It was evident that the manufacturer of the holster was:
1. making cartridge boxes as well as holsters, and
2. pre punching all of the stitch holes.

Jarnigan's leather gear is good quality and getting better. That being said, it is probably wise to recall one of Stillwagon's little jewels:" It is better to know what makes an item correct, than it is to know who makes a correct item."

[2RIVB]

Just my 2 cents, but if I am going to pay the money for an item, I would like to have it as close to 100% correct, as is possible. Why would I buy a product that I have to make corrections to the basics of it's construction (not talking about "field" alterations). Also, I am leary of buying from vendors who make some things that are ok, and some that are crap. I would rather buy from a quality vendor, who has all good products, and a reputation for making historically faithful reproductions. All these posts have said that these goods are ok, or good. Why not buy items that are great or excellent. There are several PREFERED vendors on this site's vendor page, who make outstanding, dead on to the original, items. Why buy something that is ok? Think about the logic here (or lack there of).

Here is the vendor page.
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/local_links.php?action=links&catid=1

[Jimmayo]

I had a chance last week to examine one of Jarnagin's new P-1861 hand stitched boxes when I put a boxplate on it for a friend. I was so impressed that I got an original out and another box made by a AC endorced qualitity vendor (from the old forum) for a little comparison test. Overall the Jarnagin box compared favorably with the original and was equal in qualitity and construction compared to the other reproduction. The tins were exceptionally well made.

I would NOT recommend obtaining Jarnagin's accouterment plates.

[Yellowhammer]

Guys,

"Close enough" and "within tolerances" is only good enough when no other options are available.

When makers like Robert Serio (Missouri Boot and Shoe), Tim Welch (LD Haning), Nick ************ (Historic Clothiers), Hank Kluin (F.Burgess and Co.) and Lukas Berg (Quartermaster Stores) are making top notch leather gear, why would you skimp a few dollars and buy something marginal?

Authentic leather gear has been hard to come by for many years. Today, we are blessed with several incredibly gifted makers. With that in mind, why accept a "B" when you can have an "A." (Which is what this forum is about!)

[BlindSword]

I own a jarnigan knapsack, haversack, and gum blanket, as well as a sack coat. While the gum blanket is very nice, the sack coat is not the greatest. The knapsack is'nt too bad, but it's very dificult to come across the money for CJ Daley and Skilletlicker items.Still, It is really horrible owning fall creek and jarnigan items... :sad_smile

[JimConley]

I own a jarnigan knapsack, haversack, and gum blanket, as well as a sack coat. While the gum blanket is very nice, the sack coat is not the greatest. The knapsack is'nt too bad, but it's very dificult to come across the money for CJ Daley and Skilletlicker items.Still, It is really horrible owning fall creek and jarnigan items... :sad_smile

If you're involved in authentic living history, yes! Those items aren't authentic. I realize that most of us are pressed to have an all-out authentic impression, but there are remedies. Most of the guys that have outstanding impressions (Southern Guard, WIG, etc.) started out the same way most of us had, in the mainstream. It has taken many years and years of collecting proper gear to have great impressions. I too, do not have the best impression, but am doing everything that time and money will allow to do so. That is why we have these guys to look up to and apprentice under, so to speak. If you don't have an item necesary for a campaign, or if your stuff is not up to snuff, borrow good gear for a weekend. Surely, if you are involved in authentic living history, you have pards that are willing to help you out until you can afford the right stuff. Many here on these forums would be happy to help one improve. That is why we have the "Authentcity Discussion" and "Camp of Instruction". As Mr. Stillwagon said, "close" and items that are ok aren't coshure for events listed in the "Authentic Events" folder and there are even more where those items are not welcome. Pard, I truly hope that your mentaltity does not include so much of what you have said above, because that's wrong, at least here. As I said, you can borrow proper gear and gather bits and pieces along the way, if in fact you want to be a part of proper re-enacting. You should be a stickler for what you carry in the field. That does not necessarily mean arrogant or cynical, but come at this arena of the hobby with the right point of view. We do this to honor soldiers in a aracic period of history. Is it not worth it to spend some hard earned bucks to do it properly?
P.S. Please, please, mention Fall Creek here no longer!

[JimConley]

Bye the way, I feel the same things are being harped over and over here. Moderators, has this thread not passed its peak?

[paulcalloway]

As others have suggested, I encourage you all to make use of the Approved Vendors list (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3712). It's their financial contributions to this website that keep us online. I believe it makes a lot of sense to support those who in-turn, support you.

Because Jarnagin's uniforms and gear is such a mish-mash of mainstream gear and "pretty close reproductions" it makes it a real morrass to try to moderate sales. I think the best tactic is to recommend those with Jarnagin gear (some of which may in fact be "Pretty close") to take it to the Szabo Site (http://www.cwreenactors.com/)or to the Camp Chase Site (http://www.campchase.com/)and sell it there.

We're going to keep this forum for authentic reproductions by known makers only. The stuff selling here shouldn't be "pretty close" at all... but rather dead-on accurate.

THE AC APPROVED VENDORS LIST (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3712)