Brogans Smooth out vs Rough Out

**marcstephen** · 09-09-2004, 09:27 AM

I am going to be buying brogans from one of the AC approved vendors. Should I get rough out or smooth out?

Thank you for your help

Marc Findlay
marcstephen
64th Illinois Infantry

**JimConley** · 09-09-2004, 10:39 AM

I believe the only AC Approved Vendors that offer brogans are Jersey Skillet Licker and Orchard Hill Sutlery. You may not have the option to choose between rough side or smooth side out, BUT you should not be concerned with this detail, however. Anything that comes from an AC Approved Vendor is researched and reproduced to replicate an original item. You should be confident in the authenticity of brogans bought from an approved vendor.

**JimConley** · 09-09-2004, 10:42 AM

But, if you care to look into this matter further, it has already been discussed.
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...e+smooth+rough

**marcstephen** · 09-09-2004, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by JimConley

But, if you care to look into this matter further, it has already been discussed.
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...e+smooth+rough

Thank you very much for your imput.

Marc Findlay

**Richmond Depot** · 09-09-2004, 05:55 PM

Isn't Tom Mattimore at Mattimore Harness an approved vendor?

**JimConley** · 09-09-2004, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Richmond Depot

Isn't Tom Mattimore at Mattimore Harness an approved vendor?

Yes he is. But he isn't listed on the links page of Approved Vendors, as that was where I looked. So you have another option here.

Sorry Mr. Mattimore, didn't leave you out intentionally.

**tmdreb** · 09-09-2004, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by JimConley

I believe the only AC Approved Vendors that offer brogans are Jersey Skillet Licker and Orchard Hill Sutlery. You may not have the option to choose between rough side or smooth side out, BUT you should not be concerned with this detail, however. Anything that comes from an AC Approved Vendor is researched and reproduced to replicate an original item. You should be confident in the authenticity of brogans bought from an approved vendor.

Jim,

Not that I disagree with your assessment, and I'm not coming down on you, but personally, I'd rather see questions asking "what makes an item authentic?" rather than "who makes an authentic item" to paraphrase John Stillwagon, I believe it was who said something similar. Show a man what to look for, and that will tell him where to look.

**JimConley** · 09-09-2004, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by tmdreb

Jim,

Not that I disagree with your assessment, and I'm not coming down on you, but personally, I'd rather see questions asking "what makes an item authentic?" rather than "who makes an authentic item" to paraphrase John Stillwagon, I believe it was who said something similar. Show a man what to look for, and that will tell him where to look.

I agree with your statement. He had already made it clear that he would be purchsing a pair of brogans from an AC Approved Vendor. If he doesn't have the option that he specified, then should he be concerened? Is that not why we have Approved Vendors? I just believe it's an issue that really is fretted on more than necessary. If he were to purchase a pair from Joe Hoffman, for example, would he really need to worry about his query buying brogans from Nick ************, who as we all know, is a well-reserached and accomplished craftsman?

I do not disagree with you whatsoever. More and more people should be concerned about authenticity and what about an item makes it authentic. It was just a simple answer to the question.

**Silas** · 09-09-2004, 11:07 PM

I recall a quote from RE Lee around late 1863 about how much he disliked the issuance of rough side out brogans. The phrase he used was something like, "the practice of creating them [rough side out brogans] is abhorant to nature and should be stopped."

Take phrase with a grain of salt. If you blacken or otherwise treat rough side out brogans between events, they may become just as water tight as smooth sided brogans. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

For clarification, Orchard Hill sells Mattimore brogans. I bought a pair of the NY brogans from Dan earlier this year. I ordered smooth side outs, but did not realize until after a weekend's wear that they were rough side out. They were so well done when new that they appeared to be smooth side out. A little Huberts Shoe Grease (pine tar and bees wax) between events and they look like smooth side outs.