Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I used to bring original coverlets when I did civilian or when Dan and I set up shop at events but I no longer do that. I'm down to using an original pipe, original buttons/pins/needles in my housewife, and I carry an original 1860 Traveler's Edition printing of James Fenimore Cooper's "The Water-Witch." I intend on using original buttons for my military garments after I've stockpiled enough of them.

[Marc]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I used to bring original coverlets when I did civilian or when Dan and I set up shop at events but I no longer do that. I'm down to using an original pipe, original buttons/pins/needles in my housewife, and I carry an original 1860 Traveler's Edition printing of James Fenimore Cooper's "The Water-Witch." I intend on using original buttons for my military garments after I've stockpiled enough of them.

Brian,

Original Good Year Rubber Buttons?

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

Marc,

I meant original brass buttons. The original rubber eagle buttons are worth $200 to $300 each depending upon the condition so I don't think I would ever, EVER use them in the field. I do have a bunch of original pin-shank rubber buttons that I'm considering using on a run of USSS caps though.

[garyjd]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I do have a bunch of original pin-shank rubber buttons that I'm considering using on a run of USSS caps though.

Oooooo. I would like one of them. Although I'm a bit curious of what the cost would be. :) ~Gary

[chaplain]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I carry an original bayonet, depending on the event. In the past I have used original forks, spoons, and a button or two. Occasionally I will bring dug relics (bullets, fuses, etc...), shotgun, and coins to living histories and school presentations.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I still use my original forks, and I sometimes will take my original (post-war but simaller design) civillian saddle to living histories.

[Horace]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

It really registers with me that somthing like an original bayonet is much better made than even the best modern reproduction. I don't have one but I'd use one. I took an original hatchet to an event where there were two repro hatchets were also being used. The repro handles had broken by the end of the day and mine was fine after 140ish years.
Using original tools like that makes sense to me. They're better made than repros. Cutlery, as has been mentioned, is more in danger of being lost than damaged. Jewelry isn't in much danger of being banged up. Spectacles also, to a degree. After that, the nervousness about damaging an artifact isn't worth the trouble.

[Rob Weber]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

Hi,

I carry a few original items...Non regulation sword, binoculars, wallet, CDV's, eating utensils, eye wear, time piece, shovel, various buttons, a buckle, bayonet (which was stolen), all pretty much items that will survive in the field if properly cared for. The sword, bayonet and time piece I carry mainly because repops suck. I will admit that it's pretty cool to carry these things and show the public. They are of course very interested in seeing this stuff. However when the bayonet disappeared and the spring in my time piece broke it did not go over well.

Cheers,
Rob Weber

[Southernlady1862]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I sometimes bring my 1840's fiddle to events in it's original case. However, it had a small chin rest placed on it in 1912...... I know that makes it unauthentic but I don't have the heart to remove it after nearly a hundred years!

[Aaron "Isaac" Gardner]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

For a few years I carried a small number of original items, including cutlery, a knife and coins. At some point I decided that the risk of losing these pieces outweighed being able to use them at an event. I personally would not use original uniform articles, blankets, or weapons, though I have pards that have done so. Early on in reenacting, a pard lent me a blanket of his for a Confederate impression, and I only found out on the last day of the event that it was an original. It immediately added a level of concern to any dust or mud that had accumulated on it over the weekend. I would prefer to not have to worry about such damage.

Of course, as mentioned, a living history is a somewhat different matter.

Cheers,
Aaron Gardner

[Union Navy]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I use a few original items, either on me or on my table at living histories:
1862 Appleton & Tracey (Waltham) pocket watch in a 6 oz. coin silver case
1842 Polyglott Bible published in Boston
Brass binoculars of unknown porvenance
Several cannonballs
1862 Sharp & Hankins navy carbine (for display only)

[Nighthawk]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I agree with Brad Ireland. I use original items appropriate to the scenario, event, and weather. Items like my 1850's Tennessee made woven coverlet, an original Locale timepiece, and especially my 1858 dated Lorenz, are really bridges to the past for me and I especially enjoy the situation being right so I can use them.

[Salt Pork]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I wear original glasses, even though there are starting to be more authentic frames coming out most of them are just wrong in one way or another.

Salt Pork

Please Note: Mr. Summe. You must use you real name when posting here. First and last. It is one of the "Big Three" rules. Setting an auto signature in your settings page is a good idea. Thanks, Herb Coats, Moderator

[Philip cav]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

I have a original nail on my powder horn that is what my strap attaches to. Also sometimes I carry original cutlery, but that is about it. Also, the new unit I am with has a founding member carrying an 1860's roofing hatchet. I would say that it just depends on the situation and person.


Philip Brening

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Wearing Originals vs. Reproductions....

This discussion caught my eye. One thing not mentioned much here is the employment of original hardware. While admittedly an old timer I have been scouring dig boxes at CW shows for 25 years. As such, I have accumulated alot of junk but some very nice, often innocuous pieces over the years such as brass and iron sword belt keepers, saber buttons, belt hooks, brass buckles, roller buckles, Confederate (British) and Federal horse equipment hardware, bit chains, etc. Often these were in excellent condition (occasionally non-dug originals are found) purchased for as little as 50 cents or $1.
A couple of years ago I built a western arsenal pattern CS saber belt completely out of original parts (except leather of course) using an original roller buckle, saber hanger, saber buttons ...even the shoulder strap has an original adjustment hook. The pattern was from an original photograph but the hardware was all original. Moreover, when I was building saddles in the 1980's and 90's I once built a complete Federal McClellan saddle, bags, crupper, bridle, halter etc. ...every bit of it using original hardware including bit, every buckle, foot stands and skirt screws. I then did a CS saddle McClellan (eastern arsenal) again completely out of original hardware- except the CS pommel shield (even then they were no less than $400 and now completely cost prohibitive go for $1,500- $2,000!!) However, all of the clipped corner coat strap plates, iron O-rings, buckles, screws, etc. were original pieces purchased from relic hunters.
Now, one might automatically think this would be impossible to do today but, actually it is not. Old relic hunting collections are a gold mine!! But, at larger CW shows and the good ones in the east such as Richmond and Gettysburg one can still find this stuff in large quantities and often it can be purchased quite inexpensively. In fact, last year at Nashville I bought from a digger several Federal halter buckles, rings, squares, stirrup strap buckles, bridle buckles etc. that were in nearly immaculate shape....only surface rust. Paid $1 or $2 bucks for each item. I sell or give a lot of this away nowadays but still use some.
I might suggest that those of us who make our own gear or, even when we order it from someone else, that perhaps we consider making it using original hardware. Clothing pieces such as suspender buckles, Federal issue iron trouser buttons are cheap and easy to find but so are decent roller buckles for cartridge boxes, buckles for canteen slings and other items. As noted in other posts many of us use original buttons, watches, eye wear, etc. Why not hardware? Of course, you have to know what your looking for, what “pattern” of buckle or hardware piece was used “where” (research is important!), condition is important too (too much pitting takes away from the “look”) and then, how to re-condition the pieces, etc. However, my over-riding point here is the tremendous satisfaction one can get from using these items in the field. First, no doubt it is correct in pattern and the right “look” that one does not have to worry about in reproductions. Second, there is something quite special, even surreal about being in the field and wearing accoutrements or riding on horse equipment with the look and feel of original hardware. If you get a little of that kind of satisfaction with clothing buttons, a bayonet, etc. imagine “all” or nearly so, of your hardware? Anyway, just my two cents.

Ken R Knopp