Who Makes?

[RyanBWeddle]

Who makes quality officers insignia, hat cords, & corps badges?

I know of Osman. Are there others of similar quality that are out there ?

[CJDaley]

Who makes quality officers insignia, hat cords, & corps badges?

I know of Osman. Are there others of similar quality that are out there ?

Excellent question Ryan. There is a great source for quality HAND embroidered rank insignia, corps badges and cap devices.

Jan "BJ" Zircle (IWP Fabrications) can be reached at GiltWire@aol.com. Jan does everything by hand and uses only metallic materials (no plastic in these babies). His stuff is second to none and he specializes in one of a kind items like QM shoulder straps, Surgeon straps and other cool stuff. Unlike many of the machine embroidered boards, these come with a slight curve, have the proper stiffeners and backing material.

Jan doesn’t many any two alike and has researched these items for decades.

Prices are very fair considering the great amount of hand work and the expense of the materials involved. A double row shoulder strap is about $120.00, but second to none in my book. His cap devises start at $60.00.

If folks would like, I can post some pictures of Jan’s work here on the website?

Ryan, if you are going to be at Point Lookout in a few weeks I’ll have some samples of his work there.

For more prices, contact Jan directly at:
IWP Fabrications
P.O. Box 700504
San Antonio, TX 78270-0504
Phone/Fax: (210)495-9182
GiltWire@aol.com

Disclaimer: I do not sell or profit from any of Jan’s work. This is merely a product endorsement of a talented craftsperson.

[CJDaley]

Some more prices from BJ:

Double row straps are $120

Standard" Infantry straps are $55 (darned cheap, since the Pakki ripoffs retail at $25 and dealers only pay $4/pair)

The "subdued" set is $25 (Note that subdued doesn't mean small, it just means the borders aren't filled in)

Mexican War/Militia pair is $65

Quartermaster/Surgeon straps are $65

fully embroidered edge corps badges are usually $25

badges with beaded wire edges are $5 a pop (although I think those are entirely underpriced)

issue" corps badges without edges? Those are $1.50 each

[GreencoatCross]

I have BJ working on some hand-cut "USSS" brass letters for my cap right now and he's gone out of his way to help me track down the proper "type face" to use for them. He has been a huge help and was more than willing to assist me AND exchange ideas whereas many other companies or individuals refused. I can't wait to get my letters from him!

In the meantime though, I am interested in seeing some photos of his work. I recently recieved from him a wonderful scan of an early 1863 style II Corps badge which was most impressive. Chris, if you don't mind, could you throw some photos up for us?

Brian White
Randolph Mess, USSS

[CJDaley]

[markmason]

Officers hat insignia. This is something I have been looking for, and the proper insignia, embroidered bugle with same embroidered numbers within the bugle. These are commonly seend on caps and hats. Chris, does he make these too?

[CJDaley]

Yeah, he does hand embroidered cap devices and corps badges as well. The cap insignia start at $60.00