Question about Kersey and Serge

[Skutatos]

Im hoping one of the cloth experts here can help me out.

What exactly is the difference between a kersey and a serge?

I have an original British P40 battledress jacket from the 2nd World War which is made out of a heavy wool Serge. The Serge looks and feels almost exactly like the kersey in high quality authentic reproduction items, unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to view original civil war period kersey in person so that is all I have to go by. Very similar weave, weight and nap.

This intrigued me a little bit and I thought I would ask out of an interest as to what exactly defines one or the other and what I should look for.

[Coatsy]

Re: Question about Kersey and Serge

Try this article from way back

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?1864-The-Fabric-FAQ-by-Chris-Daley&highlight=serge

Remember the search function here may net some great finds....

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Question about Kersey and Serge

Well Mr Daley's article didn't cover serge. As far as I coud make out from the net serge is of finer yarns and is not finished in the nap.
Any other comments are welcome.

[Coatsy]

Re: Question about Kersey and Serge

Yes, I know that Chris' article does not cover serge. But it covers the kersey in question that Mr. Bruff was asking. Maybe some of our more period material familiar posters such will pipe up on serge.

This is what I found using an online dictionary

serge [sɜːdʒ]
n
1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Textiles) a twill-weave woollen or worsted fabric used for clothing
2. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Textiles) a similar twilled cotton, silk, or rayon fabric
[from Old French sarge, from Vulgar Latin sārica (unattested), from Latin sēricum, from Greek sērikon silk, from sērikos silken, from sēr silkworm]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/serge

[Skutatos]

Re: Question about Kersey and Serge

So it appears then that Serge is a broader term for twill woven materials.