Seeking info: Bronze use!

[GreencoatCross]

To all:

A friend of mine here in town runs a small bronze foundry. He's a scupltor and designer and tends to work on small art projects. Recently he offered me a trade in cast bronze items for a 19th Century inspired modern winter coat, which I'm thinking of producing anyway for a local clothing store. I figured that since he's offering I could use the opportunity to try and reproduce some kind of small bronze item from the war.

My knowledge of the use of bronze during the CW is limited...it's just something I've never considered before. Mostly I am interested in finding out just what kind of common items that would have been available to soldiers were made of bronze or bronze-based alloys. Buttons, badges, medals, pins, buckles, accouterment plates, etc is what I'm after.

Thank you for your assistance,
Brian White
Wambaugh, White, & Co.
www.wwandcompany.com

[Charles Heath]

Brian,

Email Scott McKay to inquire about a run of red brass block I buttons that were done maybe eight years ago. Your foundry fellow should know the textbook differences between bronze and red brass. Although he probably doesn't have much call for the latter metal it may be worth the novelty of casting a run of something a little different.

Just a thought.

[Tom Ezell]

The Atlanta style CSA belt plate also occurred in a few iterations in red brass... and makes a very nice touch in an AoT impression. Hannover Brass has these from time to time.

But the best thing to make of bronze is cannon tubes...

[Gary of CA]

Another vote for a 12 pdr gun. Become a professional musician and you can always use it when your local symphony performs either Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" or Beethoven's "Wellington's Victory." Write all your expenses off when you practice for performance too.

[GreencoatCross]

Thanks for the replies, guys. As it turns out my friend can cast pewter with his eyes closed so I am going to shoot for a run of those square "CSA" pewter buckles.

The first project my friend suggest was, of course, a cannon tube....I wouldn't be able to do anything with it except maybe use it as some kind of home theft deterrant.

Brian White
Wambaugh, White, & Co.
www.wwandcompany.com

[tmdreb]

I personally think a cannon tube would be a wonderful thing to have! Will you be selling any of the buckles?

[jgr1974]

I would love to see the CSA pewter buckles! It is also believed That the same company cast the smooth face pewter buckles, aka no letters but same size. Lon Keim has several photos of them in his book! Another suggestion for the pewter castings would be a nice ladies buckle! I am a small time craftsman, and have had several requests for ladies buckles, but can't seem to find any! I refuse to use the "pot metal" ones!

Please keep me and the forum informed! I may be intersted in several! I think you made a good choice! These buckles are another under represented type in the hobby!