Just a friendly piece of advice

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Chums,
If you are thinking of leaving the hobby and selling off all your hard won uniforms, accoutrements etc....DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

9 times out of 10 you will come back with your tail betwixt your legs and then where will you be? I'll tell you: You will be in a world of sh%#!

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Or we will be seeking out the Skillet Licker to see what items he can forage or ferret from his usual routes of supply.
Where will we see you in the field, Joe, during the 150s?
Cheers,
Paul Hadley
Proud owner of more ACW gear than a spouse should know about

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Gents-

SOLID ADVICE. When I bailed out years ago...oh how I wish I hadn't sold all my gear. At the very least hold on to your musket! That is so hard to replace after you get a wife and kids.

When I went off to college I dropped out and thought I would never return to the hobby...WRONG!

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

I generally tell folks who quit to hold on to their gear for a year or two. If you have no pangs for the hobby after that long, you're probably OK. I've seen enough folks quit and sell off everything all at once, only to turn around and repurchase everything within 6-12 months.

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Sorry, John, I forgot to change my signature.
It is especially tough for me considering how many item I had that were one of a kind and stuff that was from makers long ago gone. All I am left with is a battered old cup with a bail wire and a officers grade forage cap from Filthy William that doesn't fit so well anymore....that's it. I started to go over in my mind some of the stuff I let go, but I got so heartsick I just stopped.

My health is such at the present time that i could not come back as a campaigner. At this point I'd just like to see my pards around the campfire and help out where ever I could, maybe some light picket duty/guard mount etc. As far as re-outfitting myself, the above is all pie in the sky until I come up with a goodly amount of cash. And as far as old vendors and such, you probably know more than I do at this point and the main guy I dealt with, you know who, I have not talked to since I folded up my tent. He is in the field now, I hear, as a sutler. Is dealing with him any better? I hope so.

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

A truer statement was never told. I was very active in the hobby in the late 80's and early 90's, three kids later I found myself in a financial pinch and also feeling guilty about going to events while the little lady was home with the young'uns. I made a snap decision to sell my traps to my group and get out. How I wish I had just held onto my gear. Now the enfield I spent less then $500 for is way over that, not to mention the rest of my accumulated gear. I sometimes get the bug, but it would be cost prohibitive to get back in. So I add your CW traps to your hand tools as two things you should never sell (did that when I got moved up to an office job, only to go back to my old assembly job a year later).

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

I had to replace some stuff, 10 years old, that was lost in a basement flood. Boyo, prices have gone up.

I'll betcha' a dollar that after July of 2013, there's all kinds of stuff for sale. For a lot of folks, that's when the war ended. lol.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Hallo!

I will play Devil's Advocate, and throw the heretical opposite POV.

I quit and returned to the Civil War twice (1991 and 1999).

Actually, it benefitted me (just not in the wallet- which perhaps should not be the ultimate consideration if one subscribes to the "Campaigner Manifesto... ;) ).

Meaning, my clothing and kit were 5ish-some years behind the Evolutionary Curve, and haivng to replace Schtuff" with more current, researched, documented, and "authentic" reproductions improved my impresions.)

But, I do concede that the Evolutionary Curve was steeper in the past- such as the shift away from say C & D Jarnagin as the ultimate, "hardcore," authenticity choice/source and into the realm of the "premium" makers. Now, today, evolution continues but on a slower, flatter arc. So, if one is already at the so-called "High End" of Material Culture one can be replacing Premium WITH Premium.

:)

Sell now! Before the WWI Centennial drives CW back to a 2,000 person niche segment and floods an inflated declining market!

Just a-funnin', just a-funnin'!

:)

Curt

[Michael Semann]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

My health is such at the present time that i could not come back as a campaigner.

Same here Joe, that is why I've largely transitioned to the civilian side of things.

Hard to believe that you are down to those few remaining pieces after having operated that Jim Dandy retail business not so many moons ago. I still miss that source, but fully understand the circumstances that necessitated your closing it.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

No worries, Joe!

Why don't you send me a list of stuff you're looking for with size info. If I see a bargain, I can let you know.

Happy to help!

Wick

[Mutt]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

You're makin memories flood back now Joe! I agree, solid advise. I know two fellas that sold quality stuff off when leaving Civil War reenacting for other pursuits (WWII being one), I benefited from it :) Good news, neither show signs of asking for the stuff back after some years now, though I sold one a pair of old shoes just so he could barely scrape an impression together for a Living History. Go figure.

Just remembered Joe, I still have my Brandon Jolly fatigue blouse I bought from you off a blanket at Pennypacker Mills!

Best,

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Wow! Pennypacker Mills! That was one of my first events as a sutler. I didn't want to hang with the big boy's up on skinner row so I found a nice shady oak, set up my dog and laid out my blanket. If I recall, I had like 5 or 6 NJS cornfed pleated frocks there. Most enactors at that event had never seen the "good stuff" before...alot of lookers but sticker shock aplenty.

Cheers!

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

PM sent, Joe. A lot of us aren't as physically fit as we once were -- not going to keep me out -- what would you need to borrow for Perryville, KY?
Paul Hadley

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Just sent you a PM, Paul ~ How's the famous Zoo Bar? Just saw Magic Slim in the NYC earlier this month, got my bones a shakin!

[john duffer]

Re: Just a friendly piece of advice

Marse Hofmann

Back when I had money my fondest moments were the daily visit to your website to see what new treasure I couldn't live without.