Regulation Neck Stock

[Masich]

I'm looking for a pattern or even a good photo of an original Civil War period neck stock. These things are not as simple as they appear--it's not just a two inch leather strap. But how is the leather cut--does it taper evenly at the two ends or is it shaped to the contours of the neck and shoulder like some of the earlier lace-on stocks? Has anyone traced an original or photographed one unrolled? The two originals that I handled (nearly twenty years ago) had blued or japanned two-pronged buckles--can a case be made for cast brass or wire buckles?

Thanks for any help--I'm making this stock for a California Volunteer impression.

Andy Masich

[Lone Guard]

Mr. Masich, sorry everyone missed your post, we've started talking about neck stocks in another article.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2547

As for a photo, this was found on a google search and came off the Sykes' Regulars (http://www.cwreenactors.com/~sykes/index.php) page:

http://www.cwreenactors.com/~sykes/equipment/images/Clothing/dress_uniform/neck_stock/UDB_Neck_Stock_03.jpg

[Masich]

I've seen the stock on the Sykes' Regulars page (those guys do a great job with info and equipment photos) but I think the artifact pictured has been altered (note that the billet is made of supple leather and is not cut and creased as originals are usually found--I could be wrong about this but would sure like to see another specimen. The body of the stock sure looks original--note the distinctive concave curve to the "collar" portion. I've seen this feature on the two unissued specimens I saw years ago (none of the reproductions have it). I'm especially interested in seeing the shape of an original stock as it would appear if it were unrolled (a difficult thing to do with an original piece). Anyone else out there with an original or a pattern?

Andy

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

I don't know what other originals you have seen, but this one conforms to the two I've seen that are attributed to the CW period, including the one at the Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning. The stitching on the photographed one on Sykes's is the same as that I have diagramed. The pictured stock also appears to have been worn, as the curvature from top to bottom is the result of the chin pressing or curving the top down and the bottom curved from the collarbones pressing upward into it. Having worn neckstocks for pre-CW history such as Mexican and Seminole War, my stocks have all taken that curved roll after use.

[Masich]

The originals I saw at the Arizona Historical Society in Tucson were unissued and had that same top to bottom curvature. I just assumed they all came this way--the same way you'd find starched collars during the latter half of the 19th century, that is "in the round." I have never seen a Civil War period stock "flat" but then again, I've only ever seen two close up. Do you know anything about the Sykes Regulars specimen? If the billet (strap that goes through the buckle) can be believed, it may also be an unissued/unworn stock (there are no holes even poked through the leather--how could it have been worn?).

I'm eager to see your pattern and photos of other original examples in order to sort this all out before fabricating them myself.

Andy

PS California Volunteers were issued these things, which they quickly dubbed "dog collars."

[Lone Guard]

General Orders,} Hdqrs. Dist of Southwestern California
No. 3 } Los Angeles, Cal., February 11, 1862.


I. Each soldier will carry one greatcoat, one blanket, one forage cap, one woolen shirt, on pair of drawers, one pair stockings, one towel, two handkerchiefs, one fine and one course comb, one sewing kit, one piece of soap, one toothbrush.

II. Each soldier will wear his uniform hat without trimmings, one blouse, one pair trousers, one pair stockings, one woolen shirt, one pair drawers, and may wear a cravat in lieu of the leather stock.

III. Each soldier, whether of cavalry or infantry, will have one canteen, one haversack, one tin cup. In his haversack he will carry one fork, spoon, and plate. He will wear a good sheath knife.

IV. Each company, whether of cavalry or infantry, will have only enough mess pans and camp kettles (in nests) for absolute requirements; also a few short-handled frying pans, some large tin pans in which to mix bread, one or two strong coffee-mills, a 6-gallonkeg of vinegar, a few pounds of black-grained pepper, four axes, four camp hatchets, six spades, six shovels.

V. Officers will not take mess-chests, or trunks, or mattresses on the march. It is suggested that each mess of officers of not less than three be provided with to champagne baskets covered with painted canvas for their mess furniture. These can be packed on a mule. Their necessary clothing can be carried in a small hand-valise, or pair of saddlebags.

VI. The Companies of the First California Volunteer Infantry will drill with knapsacks on and with personal effects packed agreeably to the above orders, from the date of receipt thereof.

VII. The Colonel commanding has observed that there has grown up a habit of writing for the press about military matters and movements of persons in the volunteer service of this district. This is not only unprofessional, but strictly prohibited. There must neither be discussion among military men nor any but official letters written for publication, which have for their object the purpose of giving either censure or praise to any person belonging to the profession.

By order of Colonel Carleton:

Ben. C. Cutler,

First Lieut., First California Vol. Infty., Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen.


In the 1st California we wear the cravats instead (since I'm still upgrading my kit, I still have neither). At the last Kelly Canyon I attended, Troy tried to wear his dog collar for a bit, and after some discomfort (and chuckles from the rest of us), he ditched it for a cravat

[Masich]

Glad to see you're doing your research--Carleton was a spit-and-polish regular, but he also had a good measure of common sense. When equipping his Arizona expedition he allowed the men to wear cravats, but after the march of the California Column the men did wear their frocks and stocks on dress parade at forts and garrisons. The men of the Tucson garrison had their "dog collars" and only occasionally did the company commander allow them to wear cravats instead of stocks. Stocks were still drawn and worn even late in the war.

[Lone Guard]

Has anyone ever come across soldiers shaving down neck stocks for more comfort?

[coffee boiler]

Martin, Augustus Meyers mentions shaving down the neck stock for comfort in "Ten Years in the Ranks".
Quote (http://www.cwreenactors.com/~sykes/equipment/neck_stock_ref.php)

[Masich]

Here are two repros I made based on measurements taken from six originals in public and private collections. The billet should be un-creased and of a light and flexible leather. The curve of the stock is made by applying the wet leather to a wooden form--which accounts for the tack holes found on all the originals.

[AZReenactor]

Very nice. They look very much like the originals I have seen as well. Did the maker indicate if they might be willing to do more? If so could you share who made them?

[Sut Lovingood]

Andy,
Very nice work on the neck stock.

Troy,
There is still an example at the AHS Tucson. Let me know when you may be able to get this way and I can pull them for you.

[W. K. Osman]

We've made several regulation stocks for museum exhibits, and are happy to share our pattern and a photo of our original. This one is contractor marked which is why we kept it and dumped a better condition original. The stamp reads B. J. WARDEN and there is a tack hole through the center of the stamp. We've not yet looked up the contract date and specs., but have them filed somewhere.
http://home.earthlink.net/~coehornmortar/images/stock.jpg
The half pattern is taken from the original, and does not show the other pieces and stitching placement, but hey, we had an original to copy so didn't need to make those notes. The thin patent leather adjustment billet is 3/4 inch wide and 4 3/4 inches long. Black japanned two prong thin sheet iron buckle has a maker mark but we can't make it out under the paint.
When we finished the stitching, edge tooling, dying, etc. we wet the stock body and then just hand cupped it into shape and fastened it around a can to dry as we remember. Not rocket science, though forms were originally used in producing these by the thousands of course.
http://home.earthlink.net/~coehornmortar/images/stockpattern.jpg
Stephen

[AZReenactor]

Stephen, Thank you for being so generous with your work and research.

Andy, Thank you for your info and insights as well.

Rae, I'll shoot you an email next time I'm headed down that way. Should be in the next few months since I need to access the UofA Library again for some items.

[Sut Lovingood]

Stephan,

Very interesting neck stock. That is the exact same neck stock that is at the AHS Tucson. Besides the Warden stamp on the leather under the buckle, the buckle itself should have a Pat. Stamp. The one in our collection is hard to make out, Patent 185?. Do you have a clear stamp on the buckle?
I will try to get some pics and post.