Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

[Jon The Beloved]

Hello friends,

This might be a shot in the dark but I though I'd enquire:

Has anyone ever successfully, and fairly authentically, reproduced, in any mass, jackets or uniforms in the Veteran, French-style (zouave-style) for a living history or reenactment? I am especially inquiring about the late-war variant 1863-1864 issue to the veteran Federal troops..? I AM NOT PLANNING ON TRYING MY HAND AT THIS per se.. but was wondering how would it be feasible for one to do so for a company of men and it still be up to the accurate par of this A.C. community and not break your unit's bank?

If you made a jacket like this; what materials, pattern, construction, colors did you use? What hangups or successes did you face? Did you modify an existing jacket to add the french 'cut', piping, embroidery, etc.? Again.. I'm not trying to stretch the historical accuracy of any impression but only seek to prick minds about this issue of authenticity in our impressions.

Anyone want to tackle this?

'Oh what we'd all do with limitless disposable income.. period examples and patterns.. hundreds of yards of cloth.. and 50 period sewing machines..'

[kaelin]

Re: Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

Jon
I have located a pattern and have a full description of the coat. I am going to try to recreate it first for the group to see what costs will be involved and go from there!! thanks for posting bud, your zeal and eagerness are unstoppable!!

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

Mr. Harris:

See this thread about the 146th New York uniforms. Someone had a similar question:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12822&highlight=146th+york+zouave

This elite unit was mobilized on October 10, 1862 and served until Appomattox Court House.

[Guy Gane III]

Re: Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

I would definitely recommend talking to Tim or Debbie Sheads at S&S Sutler. They made a fantastic 5th NY jacket and I know Debbie has worked on Gettysburg's uniform restorations.

[BobbyHughes]

Re: Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

Jon,

You may want to contact these folks too. They do a later war (ATL Campaign) 76th Ohio Impression and have the Zouave style jackets.

http://www.28thgeorgiaartillery.com

[AZReenactor]

Re: Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

Looking at their recommended vendors and unit standards I'm guessing authenticity isn't a major focus with this group. While some member in the unit may have done actual research on their "76th Ohio pattern 'zouave-like' veterans' jacket", I'd strongly suggest you verify any information from them with other sources before taking it as gospel.

You may want to contact these folks too. They do a later war (ATL Campaign) 76th Ohio Impression and have the Zouave style jackets.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Late War Zouave/Veteran French-style Jackets.. anyone ever tackled 'em?

Hunt down the talented Mr. Jim Ruley on Elizabeth Stuart Clark's Sewing Academy forum...or on here (not sure if he haunts the AC these days). I remember that he did a bunch of Piatt's Zouave jackets a couple of years ago; they looked stellar. He does a lot of custom work and knows his stuff so I'm sure if you put your information together he can help you with the jacket you're looking for.

Didn't the 76th OVVI have sky blue "false vest" fronts sewn into the jacket itself? A couple of eastern zouave units had similar garments. I could be wrong.