Requesting Input: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

[D F Smith Historic]

Hi All

In preperation to going to an All In Stock basis for Trans-Mississippi Depot Co.
Starting Aug 1st.

I am intersted to see what the most comon chest size is in the hobby currently, to better provide ready made jackets and coats the will fit customers out of the box.

Don S

[PVT.THIB]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

I would say based on stuff sold on the boards that a 42-44 is fairly average.

[D F Smith Historic]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the input, although I am wanting to get a more accurate idea of sizes.

All the best

Don S

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Don,

My bell curve on sizes peaks right at 44 and 46, with perhaps ten more jackets in 46 sold per year than 44. That has seemed to remain fairly constant over the course of the last ten years.

When I made two dozen state jackets for the Rich Mountain event several years back, of the 24 jackets made 13 were size 46. And if I make a custom garment for an event I always make two, one in 42 and one in 46. And they usually sell pretty quick.

Hope this helps!


Best,

[PieBoy96]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Hi Don,

My comrades and I are almost all size 38 or 40 jackets, and I'll tell ya it's TOUGH to find jackets that size. Few vendors have inventory in that size and it's rather frustrating sometimes. It's almost to the point that anytime I see a size 38, I scoop it up no matter what! One time I ordered a 38 jacket from a vendor, and it was actually considered a "custom order."

So just an idea... stock some smaller jackets and once word gets out, they might be snatched up fairly quickly.

And did you get those MD buttons?

[CJDaley]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

This is a chart I came up with after I sold my first 1,000 sacks:

34: 6
36: 12
38: 52
40: 130
42: 202
44: 200
46: 140
48: 108
50: 78
52: 20
54: 36
56: 4
58: 6
60: 6

That gives you a good range for Federal garments, a quick glance at sales for Richmond jackets, tait jackets, CS frock coats, CS overcoats and CS vests, give me about the same for Confederates.

If you're looking at a bell curve, it's between 40 and 46.

Of course, what I've noticed is that if I have small garments in stock, my 'more manly' customers get upset, if I have larger items in stock, my thinner customers get upset.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

[PieBoy96]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Chris, are you saying I'm less manly? :wink_smil

[CJDaley]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Chris, are you saying I'm less manly? :wink_smil

Yes, you are less manly, but that has nothing to do with your chest size. :wink_smi

[Terry Sorchy]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Oh Paul, When you age you'll grow Its nature. Someday you to will be a 44:cry_smile
Cheers:D
Terry Sorchy
A used to be 40/42/ now 44

[csabugler]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Paul, I think that was a P.C. term for "fat bastards". That would be me, a 50" in the chest and 38-40" in the gut. I seldom see jackets on this forum in the 48-50" range, but they are plentiful at the mainstream tents.

[PieBoy96]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Yes, you are less manly, but that has nothing to do with your chest size. :wink_smi

Right in the heart, Chris. Right. In. The. Heart.

[Tom Dodson]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Real men wear a 48-50.
Tom Dodson
47th Ga

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Oh Paul, When you age you'll grow Its nature. Someday you to will be a 44:cry_smile
Cheers:D
Terry Sorchy
A used to be 40/42/ now 44

Oh, how I miss the days when I could wear jackets from Sorchy Depot! :cry_smile :wink_smil

[MLovejoy]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

I'm right in there with the 44/46 chest, but I'd love it if someone would be accommodating to those of us with gorilla arms in the 36/37 range.

[oldsecesh]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

I've noticed when a size 48 pops up on the buy and sell forum, it usually moves pretty fast. Maybe consider a couple. Some 48's are just big guys ... not necessarily fat.