Another Knit Sack Coat

[GreencoatCross]

This is an dynamic photo I found on eBay a few days ago depicting a soldier wearing a knit blouse and star belt buckle. Notice the ribbed knit fabric the coat is made out of as well as the binding on the edges; this binding is also seen in the Paul McKee knit blouse photo as well as in a number of other original images of soldiers wearing dark colored or light gray knit blouses.

[Skutatos]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Neat photo, thanks for sharing.

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Speaking of Knit Blouses, does anyone know if ********* ever produced his run of them? I know he was holding off producing them until x number people ordered them. If he did make them, and someone bought one on the forum, you care to share pictures? Just curious as to the construction details.

Great photo Brian! Thanks for sharing it.

[Cpt Boone]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

He never ran it. Not enough interested parties.

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

That's too bad! Really cool project though.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Eric, he also had a prototype made up as well as a web page featuring documentation that included photos of an original knit blouse remnants from the White Oak Civil War Museum, the McKee photo, and QM records from the PA Reserves that I had stumbled upon on eBay.

I haven't made the "issue" style blouse but I made one several years ago based on the 7th NYSM photographs that turned out nice. It was all a single layer of heavy ribbed gray knit wool with black cotton tape binding and original Goodyear buttons. It was unlined, without facings, and made a VERY comfortable lounging-around garment. It's one of the very few things I regret selling, and I've been looking for more of the same material in vain to make another.

Attached is a portion of an image that came up in a recent thread, as well as a portrait of Capt. Clark of the 7th NYSM wearing his gray knit "Aspinwall." The NYSM variety seem to have been made with white trim.

[Skutatos]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

I believe the black man in this photograph may also be wearing a knit sack coat:

http://www.shorpy.com/node/9894?size=_original

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Nathan, that is definitely another knit sack coat.

[Skutatos]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

I'm interested in learning a little more about these. Does anyone know a source of information about these, like production numbers, manufacturer(s), dates ,etc?

[Cpt Boone]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Here is a picture of a washer woman with one on and a picture of the fragment from the museum. I have one of the prototypes and it is comfortable. Of course I am teased about being Mr. Rogers. It's a beautiful day on the battlefield...

Here's the a link to my site that has the information on it. http://tjkoehn.webs.com/knitblouseproject.htm This is for information only. If anyone has a problem with the site, please let me know.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Tim, thanks for posting the link to your web page...I didn't know it was still around!

[ScottCross]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

I'm interested in learning a little more about these. Does anyone know a source of information about these, like production numbers, manufacturer(s), dates ,etc?

Nathan,
If you can get access to a local National Repository Library, get the 38th Congress, 2nd Session, House of Representatives, Executive Document #84 "Contracts Made by the Quartermaster's Department/Letter from the Secretary of War/Transmitting an Abstract of Certain Contracts made by the Quartermaster's Department". This document lists contracts for all the different depots from late 1863 to January 1865. it is 130 pages long, so it takes time to find what you are looking for, but it lists knit sack coats, contractors, dates, quantity, and price. I'd look them up for you on my photocopy, but it would take hours and I am at work.

[Cpt Boone]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Thanks Brian,

I was glad of your heads up on the document. Was cool to get it, even though the project went nowhere.

[Skutatos]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Nathan,
If you can get access to a local National Repository Library, get the 38th Congress, 2nd Session, House of Representatives, Executive Document #84 "Contracts Made by the Quartermaster's Department/Letter from the Secretary of War/Transmitting an Abstract of Certain Contracts made by the Quartermaster's Department". This document lists contracts for all the different depots from late 1863 to January 1865. it is 130 pages long, so it takes time to find what you are looking for, but it lists knit sack coats, contractors, dates, quantity, and price. I'd look them up for you on my photocopy, but it would take hours and I am at work.

Thank you for the information, I never know where to look for these things. I have access to a University Library which also serves as a Federal and State Repository Library and should have that document available.

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Another Knit Sack Coat

Tim, Thanks for sharing all the info! I'd like to get one of these one day. You know they have a knit sweater on display at the "Threads of War" exhibit in Charleston, SC right now. I was there two weeks ago and found it very intriguing. I snapped a few photos of it. If I can figure out how to post pics later I'll share with you guys. Funny thing is while looking at the knit sweater I remember thinking how under represented knit goods are in the hobby. Even if the guys do tease you about being Mr.Rogers!