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Comrades,
I have posted this question here vice the authenticity forum, as I felt it more appropo. However, I would ask the mods to move it if they should disagree.
My question is this: In rereading Geoff Walden's excellent article of surviving CD jackets, I noticed his description of the trim being indigo blue kersey wool. I pondered that thought for a moment, taking into account the huge volume of these jackets being made, and the expense of indigo blue kersey, why would it be used for trim unless a ready source was available. What occured to me was the possibility that those trims were being made from federal coats captured and cut up for the materials.
I have a difficult time imagining the CS government spending scare resources on producing an expensive trim when, for example, the Richmond issues were indicating an abandonment of trim color, along with surperfluous belt loops and shoulder tabs. However, if one considers the huge quantities of federal materials captured through the early part of the war, and also of the possibilities of further claims on clothing, knapsacks, etc, abandoned on the field, then it seems to me perfectly plausible to "recycle" materials from captured coats, the blue for trim, and buttons as, well, buttons.
Am I overthinking this issue, or is it possible that this might be all or part of the source for this material? Seeing that these coats were made in such huge numbers, and for so long, it just seems a bit penny-wise & pound-foolish to be manufacturing so much trim colour.
Anyway, I'd appreciate your thought on this, or any documentation as to where the trim cloth came from, if not through captured garments.
Respects to all,
I have posted this question here vice the authenticity forum, as I felt it more appropo. However, I would ask the mods to move it if they should disagree.
My question is this: In rereading Geoff Walden's excellent article of surviving CD jackets, I noticed his description of the trim being indigo blue kersey wool. I pondered that thought for a moment, taking into account the huge volume of these jackets being made, and the expense of indigo blue kersey, why would it be used for trim unless a ready source was available. What occured to me was the possibility that those trims were being made from federal coats captured and cut up for the materials.
I have a difficult time imagining the CS government spending scare resources on producing an expensive trim when, for example, the Richmond issues were indicating an abandonment of trim color, along with surperfluous belt loops and shoulder tabs. However, if one considers the huge quantities of federal materials captured through the early part of the war, and also of the possibilities of further claims on clothing, knapsacks, etc, abandoned on the field, then it seems to me perfectly plausible to "recycle" materials from captured coats, the blue for trim, and buttons as, well, buttons.
Am I overthinking this issue, or is it possible that this might be all or part of the source for this material? Seeing that these coats were made in such huge numbers, and for so long, it just seems a bit penny-wise & pound-foolish to be manufacturing so much trim colour.
Anyway, I'd appreciate your thought on this, or any documentation as to where the trim cloth came from, if not through captured garments.
Respects to all,
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