Mobile Depot Jacket

[modelf85]

I recently saw a mobil depot jacket that is everything I have ever wanted in a confederate coat. I saw it on the cotton city tailors website and I know it is correct for the western theater, but is it correct for the eastern ANV theater?

Answers welcome,

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Hampton

This jacket is also know as the "Mystery Jacket"....because there isnt allot know about it other than it may have been made in Mobile.

[markj]

Hi,

You are likely talking about the Mobile Depot (square front) jacket on the "CCT" site. Yes, it's very nice and I've also considered getting one as well. However, if your impression is primarily Army of Northern Virginia I would recommend you stick with a Richmond Depot-style jacket or something identified to a depot definitely known to supplied items to ANV units.

Of course, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that some Western depot items might have filtered into Eastern units (e.g., jackets and trousers issued to Longstreet's troops while they served in Georgia and Tennessee) but I would suggest sticking with what the preponderance of evidence indicates.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[modelf85]

I thought about that but I never cared much for the richmond depots

thanks,

[3alabama]

Back in 1981 Chris Schreiber and 2 others formed the 3rd Alabama. They did so because "they saw in a back issue of the Men at Arms magazine that had a photo of a 7 button front,balloon sleeved uniform jacket with a single left side slash pocket identified to a member of the 3rd Alabama".That picture helped them make the decision to form the 3rd Alabama because " atleast we know what they wore". That Description sounds like a Mobile Depot AKA Mystery Jacket to me. I have never seen the magazine they saw this picture in. I wanted to post this in hopes one of you may have some old issues around and can post this picture. I would love to see a copy of it or any other documentable evidence of this coat in the ANV.

[coastaltrash]

Bud,
You should go after what is correct for the impression, not what looks kewl. Research, documentation and actually giving a damn is what seperates this part of the hobby from the rest.

[markj]

Let's focus your search a little bit: Are you portraying a specific unit or are you trying something "generic?" This can make a world of difference.

To piggyback on what another individual mentioned previously, half the battle in reenacting is overcoming your personal desires and sticking with what was actually done (at least within a reasonable doubt). You are portraying people who thought like you, in some ways, and very differently than you in others. What seems "right" or "correct" to you may have been incomprehensible to them in the context of the age they lived in. To most soldiers, "a jacket was a jacket"; they cared little about where it came from (unless it was from home!) as long as it fit them reasonably well and did the function for which it was intended.

I felt the same way about my field jacket that was issued to me when I was in the Marines: I didn't give two hoots about where it came from as long as it looked decent and kept me warm during those long, lonely nights out in "The Bush."

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[modelf85]

I just like the outside pocket, shame its not authentic,

thanks,

[bcatgrappler]

once again, go with what is right for the impression, not what you think is cool, and if that means getting a richmond depot, then get it

Mike Ray
Ruff n' Readys

[hireddutchcutthroat]

I thought about that but I never cared much for the richmond depots

thanks,

Maybe you should portray the Army of Tennessee, and wear Western Depot jackets such as the Columbus, Demopolis, and Mobile in all their outside pocket glory.