Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

[CJDaley]

Boys and girls:

I publish information on the research section of my website for everyone to enjoy and share. I've had hundreds of follow up questions from do-it-yourselfers and other vendors asking me for more info so they can reproduce the item more authentically, I've never turned down a research request from anyone. I've seen scores of garments made from that research and it all looks pretty good.

Some people have told me I should make the research section of my website 'members only' and charge a fee. That's NOT why I post stuff.

Today I got this note from some firm in Pakistan.

Dear Sir,

We are making Enlisted Frock coat on your website http://www.cjdaley.com/commercialenlistedcoat.htm Functional cuffs, handmade button wholes on the parker coat, piping still thin inserted into the jacket. The skirt line attached also below the last button of the jacket.

Simple to be superb quality, $52.50 of each coat includes shipping by DHL on your door step. Delivery in just 3 weeks on all your orders.

Regards
Civilwar Reproduction by Nanba

https://www.nanbasports.com

info@nanbasports.com

Let's ignore the fact that I pay $75 per yard for fabric for these coats, or that the original had non-functional cuffs, or that they've never seen the original coat....ah forget it!


Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm upset about. Maybe it's because when I made these coats authentically only a few dozen guys bought them at $550+ and now the masses in the hobby can get them for a 10th of that price....heck, I don't think I even made minimum wage when I made these coats.

Anyway, I've got enough sewing to do without wasting time on the internet, just thought I'd share my gripe with the CW hobby......

Back to work.....

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Chris,

I believe that anyone who actually would order this deserves the size 34 chest rat's nest of blue cloth that would eventually show up at their door.

Nothing will ever beat the Pakistani company that posted pictures scanned from Echoes of Glory on their website as their catalog.

"Really? I can have a frock coat that looks EXACTLY like that for $61.24???"

[Mcouioui]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

I questioned me a few years ago behind by seeing Chinese and the Pakistanis start the WWII reproduction manufacturing, I thinking, CW? NO, it is too small as business, they will not dare... And Here we are, its come. :(
If, i say, IF, it was real, quality equal to this price there, you are died...
But I think that we shall remain in the comparison Enfield defarbed vs Enfield Pakistanis...
It is people believe that, are to be happy... ;) :)

[Mcouioui]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Chris,

I believe that anyone who actually would order this deserves the size 34 chest rat's nest of blue cloth that would eventually show up at their door.

Nothing will ever beat the Pakistani company that posted pictures scanned from Echoes of Glory on their website as their catalog.

"Really? I can have a frock coat that looks EXACTLY like that for $61.24???"

$52.50 Dan, not $61.24, with shipping ;)
You dream about it all the night, I am sure :D;)

[Drygoods]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Badly made, inaccurate clothing for living history can be found world wide and this is no surprise to anyone. Have you seen some of the websites in the hobby magazines? I mean, have you looked at all of them? My opinion is that the one and only way to find accuracy is to deal with your tailor f2f and have a good chat. Word of mouth is your best, or worst, advertisement but nothing beats having the product to review in your hands before making a purchase.
The most unfortunate thing is that this rubbish is actually allowed to continue and be sold at events. You see this awful clothing and wonder why people buy it: first, they know nothing about history or clothing, two, they think they've got a bargain, and third, some people without a conscience will sell anything. Sad business all the way around.:( But we all could use a head's up about these "bargain's.":(

[FloridaConscript]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Chris,
I know a guy who does voodoo. I'll put in a call for ya.....

[Charles Kaiser]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Funy, if you klick on German Language Button, its al written in Dutch.
The old mixed up story in Amerika has gone to asia.. Dutch and Deutsch is not the same thing.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

William,

That price was in reference to the Otis Baker's officer's frock coat being sold by the Pakistani firm that had the pictures of originals on their site. After all, they have a picture of the original, so the reproduction must look exactly like it, right?

Pakistani and Indian-made items are a staple of mainstream re-enacting. Brian and I don't bother setting up at mainstream events anymore. The money just isn't there but we can at least enjoy a simple, relaxing weekend outside. It was when we began to be attacked by mainstreamers for our "outrageous" prices that we stopped bothering. I had one woman who was so vocal to us that to get rid of her I said "Well ma'am, when you buy from (vendor X) Al Qaeda wins." It was entirely tongue-in-cheek comment but it had the desired effect. That was our last mainstream event.

[Mcouioui]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Funy, if you klick on German Language Button, its al written in Dutch.
The old mixed up story in Amerika has gone to asia.. Dutch and Deutsch is not the same thing.

Same for French, its Italian :)

[Mcouioui]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

William,

That price was in reference to the Otis Baker's officer's frock coat being sold by the Pakistani firm that had the pictures of originals on their site. After all, they have a picture of the original, so the reproduction must look exactly like it, right?

Pakistani and Indian-made items are a staple of mainstream re-enacting. Brian and I don't bother setting up at mainstream events anymore. The money just isn't there but we can at least enjoy a simple, relaxing weekend outside. It was when we began to be attacked by mainstreamers for our "outrageous" prices that we stopped bothering. I had one woman who was so vocal to us that to get rid of her I said "Well ma'am, when you buy from (vendor X) Al Qaeda wins." It was entirely tongue-in-cheek comment but it had the desired effect. That was our last mainstream event.

I agree 200% Dan ;)
My choice is make for a long time, you know...
I just regret that the so difficult work to take out people of Mainstream, is going to be even harder :(

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Hallo!

"Really? I can have a frock coat that looks EXACTLY like that for $61.24???""

Ha! In America one cannot even go into a fast food joint and get a product that looks anything like the one in the ads.

;) :)

Seriously, we should not be surprised. A basic law of economics says that where there is demand, they will be supply.

As long as a large segment or portion of the "Hobby" eagerly seeks out and buys this stuff, there will be suppliers (especially in countries where a worker makes 10-20 cents an hour) who can supply it, and vendors here who can mark it up and make a profit.

In (seeming) "defense" of the Chinese or Indians, they CAN make some really good stuff as anyone who has had a modern business suit hand-made in Hong Kong might could confirm.
BUT, they make what the market is buying, and what levels of material and workmanship the buyers want them to make.
AND, many want stuff that will allow us to get out there and play with the rest of the lads for the cheapest possible outlay of cash.
Same for F & I, Rev War, War of 1812, WWI, and WWII.

And while we may laugh or groan about uniforms, we havesome lads here who do not laugh or groan about Indian "non guns."

Others' Mental Pictures, and mileage will vary...

Curt

[DougCooper]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

Those guys also make tennis shoes and rugs...but not well.

No stream of conciousness like a 3rd world stream of conciousness. Those clowns have absolutely no idea what they are saying, or doing...but unfortunately, their market doesn't either.

I wore my C J Daley Parker frock (see avatar above) to teach some 6th graders last week and one kid asked if it was hard to make. I asked him to count the stitches on the cuff. They got it. I wore my CJ Daley Louisiana jacket the next day, and showed them the photo of the original as we discussed Antietam. A couple of oohs and ahs came from that.

Anyway, Chris - hang in there until 2016. At least 3 kids will be calling!

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

I wore my C J Daley Parker frock (see avatar above) to teach some 6th graders last week and one kid asked if it was hard to make. I asked him to count the stitches on the cuff. They got it.

Those stitches aren't the hard part. You learn a couple or three different stitches, then repeat them a few thousand time, then PUFF! You have a frock coat! For me, the hard part is the stuff you do with an iron, folding, and lining stuff up. Stitching is the "reward" for getting that other part done to the point where you're ready to sew.

...but, that neglects the topic of pad stitching... but let's not go there.

$60 for a frock? Yeah, why not! What's $0.000000013/hour among friends!! :wink_smil

[Clsinclair]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

What their ad should say, "Come on in and pet the goats. Rub them today and wear them tomorrow".

[Backus]

Re: Civil War Reproduction by Nanba

I'm just glad I can finally get my Robert E. Lee uniform at a low low price. Now I can finally recreate the surrender at Appomattox right here in my living room.
What's sad is probably someone out there is saying that, and they are serious about it.