H.B. McComb

[Mutt]

I've ordered Frederick Gaede's The Federal Civil War Shelter Tent but am antsy to get more information on shelter halfs as I plan on making my own in the very near future (after more research). I know I may find out via the book, however what do we know about the maker H.B. McComb? I found reference to the production numbers in the CRRCompendium of course.
More fuel to my fire is that I live in Wilmington, Delaware and am wondering if it's the same Wilmington H.B. was located in? Probably a "C'mon buddy, what other Wilmington could it be!?" question, but I'll admit ignorance and ask it. If it is the case that it is the same Wilmington, I plan on making trips to the Historical Society and archives and eventually attempt to find where the manufacturing took place (if a building still stands or at least the area it was in, hoping it's not some place I could get robbed!).

Thanks for any and all info. Again, I'm sure I'll have some answers soon enough from the book.

Best Regards,

[Brian Baird]

Re: H.B. McComb

Henry S. McComb was out of Wilmington, De. and had 7 contracts is 1863 with the NY & Phil. Depots & had one contract in 1864.
Brian Baird

[Gallinipper]

Re: H.B. McComb

"C'mon buddy, what other Wilmington could it be!?"


Could always have been Wilmington, NC, but I think that's highly unlikely! :D

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: H.B. McComb

Henry S. McComb was out of Wilmington, DE[...]

Brian's dead on.

[Mutt]

Re: H.B. McComb

"C'mon buddy, what other Wilmington could it be!?"


Could always have been Wilmington, NC, but I think that's highly unlikely! :D

Exactly Mr Croxton :) Unless the "North" part of "North Carolina" kicked in. :sarcastic

Thanks for the info thus far all! Has satiated my appetite a tad.

PS - no idea why I put H.B. instead of H.S. Been one of those days

Best,

[GreencoatCross]

Re: H.B. McComb

Henry S. McComb, Wilmington, DE and Philadelphia, PA.

398,000 knapsacks (8/62 to 8/64)
339,400 haversacks (8/62 to 8/64)
150,000 knapsack straps (5/63 and 12/63)
27,000 hatchet slings (8/19/61)
2,000 prs. gaiters (3/31/64)
21,733 ponchos (12/62 to 11/63)
335,000 neck stocks (8/31/61 and 2/25/64)
169,000 shelter tents (4/63)
10,400 common tents (8/63 and 11/63)
4,413 hospital tents (4/63)
1,610 wall tents (4/63)
5,000 prs. infantry trousers (12/62)
70,000 waterproof blankets (10/62 and 4/63)
20,000 knapsacks (11/13/63

[Rhinevalleylad]

Re: H.B. McComb

Hi Brian,

some more info about the waterproof-blanket available ???

Painted blankets and / or rubberrized blankes ??

Greetings

Ingo Rolletter
5th Va Vol Inf (Germany)

[Mutt]

Re: H.S. McComb

I was wondering the same thing Mr. Rolletter.

From what I've scrounged up thus far on H.S. McComb, he was quite the businessman/go-getter/union supporter. he was the first major manufacturer of leather belts in Delaware. He raised a regiment, the 5th Delaware, whom he outfitted entirely. They were stationed at Ft. Delaware. He had a mansion in downtown Wilmington, that was, of course, raised in 1934 to put in a new federal building. Plenty of post-war details as well, but it really doesn't go with the topic at hand.

Thanks for the info!

[ScottCross]

Re: H.B. McComb

The Mudsills published an article by Pat McDermott many years ago, concerning original shelter halves and complete instructions to make your own. It reproduced two of McCombs' known manufacturer's stamps also. If you can dig up a copy of that, you are set.