Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

[CitizenSoldier]

Greetings,
I was wondering if anyone out there was manufacturing and/or selling reproduction GAR buttons, insiginia, and badges for authentic historic interpretive programming?
Thank you,
Darrek Orwig

[Mike N]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Darrek,

I've not seen any repro GAR membership badges or buttons but original buttons and hat badges are not diffucult to find or especially expensive. With some careful shopping around you can buy original (Type V) membership badges for $50 or less.

I made a lucky find at a garage sale and paid $2 for a cigar box full of old buttons that included 9 coat size and 8 sleeve size GAR buttons.

Good hunting!

Mike Nugent

[hardtack1864]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

I have seen GAR badges go for about $50-150 on some of the relic dealers, but no reproduction that I know of.

[Rob Walker]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Our unit does a GAR immpression. Most of the lads purchased actual GAR membership medals and buttons as well as lapel pins and ribbon bars. They are still out there and are rather cheap although they are becomming increasingly collectible. I searched a year or so ago for repro buttons. All that I found available was replacement ribbon for the medals.

Rob Walker
Co. H 119th NYSV

[James A. Page]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Okay... I'll bite. Why reenact the GAR?

James A. Page

[CitizenSoldier]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Fellers,
Thanks for your assistance regarding sources and ideas for obtaining GAR material culture. Currently the museum in which I work is planning to do some 1870's GAR interpretative programing to show an example of a post rebellion veterans association to our patrons. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Darrek Orwig
ddorwig@yahoo.com

[1stMaine]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Okay... I'll bite. Why reenact the GAR?

James A. Page

Comrade,
Well, there are a number of excellent reasons for recreating the GAR. First off, it gives us older fellows and greybeards something to do without all you pesky young critters hanging around and complaining about older folks, grey hair and expanding waistlines. For once we have somewhere to reenact where young and trim is the exception:)
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it gives us a whole new venue of interpretive history at the Battlefield parks. With my "veteran" GAR impression, I can now go into Gettysburg, or Antietam or wherever, and talk to the public about what my old battalion did. I can walk around the monuments and talk about why they're in the wrong place and why those dammned 232nd Californians ought NOT to have their monument where it is since they were too busy skeddadling to the rear, and so forth. In other words, i can BE a CW Veteran and not be out of place with all the monuments and plaques and tourists. To top it off, it sure makes it easier to pull off the impression, especially with kids, since many of them have seen images of the old fellows walking around these same monuments. That willing suspension of disbelief, etc. If you know the unit history really well, then it's easy to do a first person as a veteran touring the old battlefield.
Thirdly, you only need yourself and a couple of pards to do it up right, especially if one or more is of the other "persuasion" and you and they can get into a debate about who was where and who whipped who when. You can even continue the impression in town over dinner and drinks. It makes for extrememly interesting theater, especially if one can comfortable stay in character and is good at extemp.
The GAR and the UCV offer so many possibilities for further research and portrayals. After all, the war was still fought on paper and in debate halls for many many years after the shooting stopped. No reason why we shouldn't take advantage of that avenue as well, especially as we accumulate so much knowledge. Why let it go to waste?
Respects to All

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Well, It wasnt really living history, but I was married at G.A.R. Post 11. Joe Hooker, Alameda CA.

I find the GAR very facinating, especialy since some many vets moved out here after the war and built this area. We do not have any battlefields out here, but you cannot go to a park or down Main St California without seeing a GAR bench.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Grand Army of the Republic Reproductions...

Last time I was in there, Regimental Quartermaster had a mother-lode of original and inexpensive GAR buttons in a box on the floor under the rifle racks. I made a mental note of that in case I ever decide to do that impression, but I think I have a few years to go still, so I might as well share the source..