Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

[Iceman]

I assume this is the fold for this question; if not, please move to a more suitable folder.

I am trying to either find well made officer's shoulder boards / epaulets; i.e. gold with the gold lace around the edge; i.e. "shoulder brushes". I'm looking for either a source for them already made, or if someone has instructions/directions on how to make a pair.

Thanks.

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

The unmentionable one has a few federal shoulder boards for sale, 2nd Lt. -Major, I believe.

Hope it helps,

[ajroscoe]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

Stephen Osman is who I've gone through for my boards. He carries several different styles of boards, of all ranks. I couldn't recommend anyone better for price, service, and friendliness. 612 823 4009

[Iceman]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

And we're talking about the gold, shoulder brushes, right? I'm not speaking of the bars on the shoulder with rank, but rather the big, gaudy "shoulder brushes" of the antebellum militia era, correct?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

Fall Creek is the last commercial vendor I've seen of these, so therefore can't vouch for the quality or accuracy

[harley_davis]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

Hallo
Quartermaster Shop, Kimball MI offers the officer epaulets in the various ranks. I got mine a couple of years ago and they are good but then, I have nothing else to compare to. They are still listed on their website as being available.
Respectfully,
Harley Davis
Minnesota

[Spongebucket]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

Nic,
There are some commerially made ones from Atlanta Cutlery. They don't look too bad but the attatchments need to be reworked. I know a fellow that did his up right and said it wasn't too difficult. Hand and Lock, in England, will make you a set....but they will be about as much as a set of originals....but they would look sweet. Patrick Craddock, Craftman's Apron, was talking to me about seeing if he could get some from the fellow that does his embroidered insignia. Again, nothing set in stone...but talk around the campfire.
My 2 pennies
Joe Blunt

[Union Navy]

Re: Officer's shoulder boards / epaulets: Where to find or how to make?

Legendary Arms has them, but they have the solid crescent. If you need other than solid crescent (as we in the Navy use), you might have to get originals. The fringe was different diameters and lengths depending on rank in the army (no rank differences in the navy) and sometimes varied by militia uniform supplier. There are a few Navy sets on ebay at any time, and they did not change much over time, but you only get one fringe size choice that way. Expect to pay between $200 and $400 for a good set of originals.