Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

[DBURT]

Hello all.

I have been invited to post on this new thread on the AC about mine and Craig Barry's current book 'Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms and Accoutrements' published in January 2013 by Schiffer Publishing of Atglen PA.

Myself and Craig teamed up some five years ago and self published two books on the British involvement in the war in the shape of "Supplier to the Confederacy: S. Isaac Campbell & Co, London, and another 'Supplier' title 'Peter Tait & Co, Limerick'. It was after these two were published we approached Schiffer with another new idea, this time on the arms and accoutrements supplied by the various British commercial makers that supplied the Confederacy.

The result is our current book which details the various arms and accoutrements supplied by these firms to the fledgling Confederacy. We have the histories of most of the most common gun makers in England, like London Armoury Co, J.E. Barnett & Sons, Parker Field and lots more, plus accoutrement suppliers like Ross & Co. We also feature the story of how and how Caleb Huse and Edward Anderson - amongst others - bought and shipped them.

The 192 page hardbound book also features 150 colour and B/W pictures of different arms and equipment, including detailed analysis of the ball bag, knapsack, pouch (Cartridge box) cap pocket and lots more.

I am honoured to have been invited to be included on the new Book Shelf thread, and would be pleased to answer any questions you may have on our book

Kindest regards,

David Burt, co-author. For further information on the book, and to view some comments and reviews, click here:

http://www.amazon.com/Suppliers-Confederacy-English-Arms-Accoutrements/dp/0764342487/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341132571&sr=1-1&keywords=Suppliers+to+the+Confederacy+English+arms+and+accoutrements

[DBURT]

Re: Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

You can also view pictures from the book, and pictures from other individuals of British arms, uniforms and equipment by clicking here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Supplier-to-the-Confederacy-Series/258104527536404?skip_nax_wizard=true&sk=page_getting_started

Regards,

David Burt, co-author

http://www.amazon.com/Suppliers-Confederacy-English-Arms-Accoutrements/dp/0764342487/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341132571&sr=1-1&keywords=Suppliers+to+the+Confederacy+English+arms+and+accoutrements

[DBURT]

Re: Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

This thread is from an old post I put on the AC a while ago with pictures of the Ross & Co pouch in my collection which is featured in the book. For these and more visit the facebook page listed above.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?39114-Ross-amp-Co-CS-imported-British-P1860-Pouch

Dave Burt, England

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

The Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Arms & Accoutrements was at # 2 on the Military & Naval Press bestsellers list last week. See https://www.naval-military-press.com...can-civil-war/. New "Suppliers to the Confederacy" book is coming out in March 2014, published by Stainless Banner. It is a combined 2nd edition of SIC & Co and Peter Tait in one volume, hardcover. There is some additional content and more images.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

The amount of stuff coming from Britain was mind boggling in my opinion. But, I'm curious as to whether or not these companies got left holding the bag for a lot of unpaid debt from the Confederacy when the war ended.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

Interesting question. The motto of those in the mid-19th century who profit from bloodshed is that honesty is less profitable than dishonesty. It is important to distinguish between "investments" such as the Erlanger bonds (they were left holding the bag). Those who speculated with running the blockade sometimes lost their investment. Peter Tait lost $30,000 with Scotsman Alexander Collie on a joint shipping venture, even though not one shipment was lost to the blockade. This was not the fault of the Confederate Govt, Alexander Collie was a crook. Much of the war materiel purchased was through the fraudulent Commission House SIC& Co who kept two sets of books (their contracts were canceled and a number of questionable charges were not honored). However, SIC & Co paid the contractors themselves for the goods and then attempted to overcharge the Confederate Government. The legitimate businesses were paid in full in advance. Other legitimate business expenses, were paid by the CS Govt as agreed...although with currency worth much less due to the fluctuating exchange rate.

There is a bit of mythology that holds that London Armoury Co went under because of the fall of the CS Government. Well, the loss of their biggest overseas customer was not helpful, but note the following:

Source: The Letters of Charles Dickens, Volume XII 1868-1870

20 August 1868

To THE MANAGER LONDON ARMOURY Co

Sir

Be so good as to provide my son Mr Edward Dickens who is going out to Australia with a rifle in accordance with his choice. Will forward a cheque in the amount upon knowing what it is.

Faithfully Yours,

Charles Dickens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PS: The party to which this was sent was to James Kerr, Gun & Pistol Maker, successor, London Armoury 36 King William Street, EC. This was the business address for the offices of LA Co since mid-1863, when they sold the Bermondsey factory and relocated to Victoria Park Mills in Hackney. If they were bankrupt and out of business in 1866, it wasn't for very long.

[DBURT]

Re: Suppliers to the Confederacy: British Imported Arms & Accoutrements

Both books in the set available now!

Dave Burt