Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

[GreencoatCross]

I have been asked by an acquaintance to provide him with a top quality reproduction of a very specific original forage cap. Simply put, I need brass or silver Roman style letters "U" and "S" in 1/2" to 3/4" height. I have tried commercial sources for necklace/jewelry charms as well as stamped brass utility pole markers, but nothing is good enough (the pole markers come close but the size I need is discontinued).

Is there anything like this available on the market without having to pay $18 to $30 a letter from professional sign manufacturers?

[3rdUSRedleg]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

Try S & S Firearms

http://www.ssfirearms.com/

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

I tried to acquire a 3/4" "V" and an 1/2" "A" for a 4th Virginia forage cap from S&S and they basically told me to pound sand and didn't offer any help or advise in trying to acquire the letters. Maybe you guys will have better luck Brian since you are a vendor. This is a real problem in the hobby as the only letters available are A-K. I really wish someone would make a run of all letters just once.

[LtCol0802]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

I may have the letters you need. I will have to check when I go home. I got these from S&S years ago when I was trying to come up with a good substitution for WA letters for a Washington Artillery cap. I have since had these made just for that application per the originals. Very time consuming and expensive process. I will let you know.

John Owens

[JimKindred]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

I tried to acquire a 3/4" "V" and an 1/2" "A" for a 4th Virginia forage cap from S&S and they basically told me to pound sand and didn't offer any help or advise in trying to acquire the letters. Maybe you guys will have better luck Brian since you are a vendor. This is a real problem in the hobby as the only letters available are A-K. I really wish someone would make a run of all letters just once.

The issue you ran into is that the demand for such is so small no one really has any incentive to make them in any real quantity.

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

Ever thought of asking a tin smith to see if they can help? Sheet brass can't be too much different to work with than tin when it come to making stuff like this. Just a thought.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

John, sounds interesting! I am looking for one "U" and three "S" possibly additional sets based on interest. I've also considered buying sets of those hospital steward insignia that have the silver "US" letters but I don't need the wreaths and I'd have to buy three sets just to get one USSS letter group. Parsley Brass apparently has cast brass alphabet letters but they're too large.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

I'm told by my roommate that another way to make these would be using Precious Metal Clay or Art Clay Silver. It's small particles of metal infused with a binder that can be shaped, stamped, carved, etc., allowed to dry, then kiln fired. The outer layer is scrubbed and polished to reveal the sintered metal. It seems to be on the expensive side but it's an intriguing possibility.

[garyjd]

Re: Brass or Silver "Alphabet" Letters??

The letter Z is a tough one to get too. :(