Gang,

I've been kicking around the thought of a Vendors folder with Robert and wanted to ask a serious question.  Who do you consider to be the top five mainstream sutler/vendor types currently in the hobby, and WHY do you say so?  Since I am on the authentic side of the spectrum, I wouldn't know too much about who is who anymore.  Biases and prejudices are to be kept to a minimal.  If I start a vendor folder, I will invite the most common answers to join us and post.

(I already know most of the authentic vendors!)

I'd have to say the Regimental Quartermaster is right up ther and here's why. I have herd the employees there tell customers the truth about what they are buying and why the item is less expensive. I think that's a pretty good policy and, they've been around for quite a while.

Interesting idea, and I think really worthwhile.  Most of the folks we'd consider authentic vendors have (necessarily?) small, boutique operations focused on clothing and equipment.  But mainstream vendors can offer other goods of acceptable quality, like books or particular specialty items.

I haven't ordered from any of these folks in years, so I might not be the best judge, but:

Fair Oaks, if you're in Virginia and wanted to pick it up yourself, could get you a decent deal on a weapon.  You also can't miss on their canteen halfs.  They apparently got out of the clothing business, which -- no disrespect intended -- was probably just as well.  Items purchased on-line arrived quickly in good condition.

Fall Creek has a few things and similarly ships and delivers in a timely manner.  I've had mixed results on their weapons -- probably not them but the manufacturer.

I've had positive dealings with Jarnagin, buying both my gum blankets from them.  Interestingly, one has the extra eyelets for wearing the blanket as a rain cape, the other does not.  Bought them a couple of years apart.  Also purchased their nesting tin cans and oil cans.  For the record, never use an oil can for ink <g>

My favorite non-ACW vendor is John Neal Booksellers, which offers nibs (try the Gillotts 303 and 404) and oak gall ink.  But I would put them on any C/P/H list, too.

I forgot about Jarnigan. I also have some of their tinware and have seen some of their latest leather work(cartridge box). IMHO, they don't seem in a hurry to ship stuff if you know what I mean.

Ken,

FYI, sent you a couple of PMs

I've always found Jarnigan a good source for leather goods and Reg't QM a good source for weapons. They carry such a big inventory, you can usually find a weapon that's only marginally bad, instead of really bad. The Italian's quality control is really bad.

Keep in mind, that for many Streamers, their vendors are the same as used by the CPH crowd. If you don't believe me, just ask the quality vendors who their best customers are!

Absolutely Bill!  Many of my authentic maker friends provide for the mainstream masses.  Daley, Morris, Wambaugh...they all do a good bit a business on that side.

I like to browse through Blackade Runners items occaisionaly.
Their descrïption are informative as well as entertaining.  Have bought a few items from them also.

So far I've dealt witn Blockade Runner, Regimental Quartermaster, Fall Creek, C&C, and ebay.  

Not counting ebay, Blockade Runner has the the better prices on alot of stuff.  I got my brogans from there.  They were less expensive than most places (for American made) and they boasted "no break-in time".  Well they were right.  And I wear a 13 wide!  Delivery is fast and their customer service is top notch.  

RQ and Fall Creek are very good also (RQ is the only place I've seen were you can get a clean-out screw for a '61 Springfield) but nobody beats Blockade Runner on delivery speed.

I bought my uniform, and leathers from C&C, the dreaded fresh fish special!  I'm happy with them.  I've seen higher quality sack coats, but it's good for the price, and the trouser, I'd put against any of the pricier pairs.  Very good for the newbie on a tight budget.

Another site with good prices and delivery time is Legendary Arms.  They are not exclucively Civil War, but the stuff they have is pretty good.  Got my canteen and flat wear from them.  

--Last edited by TheBaldYankee on 2007-05-15 05:23:10 --

Ill agree with the above poster on C&C and Blockade Runner. Got my boots and the husbands brogans there, they got here very fast and a great price. I wear my boots all the time and find them comfortable.

C&C... They had told me they were mailing our stuff, after 2 weeks I still didnt have it, I emailed them asking for a tracking number because we hadnt received yet. They didnt email me back but I got the package 5 days later.

Ill need to find my records to see who else I have dealt with.

I forgot about E-bay.  But you have to be careful on clothing when they give out sizes on items.  I have a couple of items that did match thier pictures but i think their tape measure may be short a couple of inches at the start.
I bought my latest pair of brogans on ebay and they were used in condidtion but they fit me the best of any I have had so far.
So like every where else buyer be ware.

Good discussion so far, keep em cominng. Just remember we want to hear why you buy from a prticular vendor. Please don't start bashing vendors or discussing them negatively as that is not what we are looking for. If there are issues with a vendor mentioned, it would be best to notify us of the problems via private message. Just keeps us clear of any legal issues.

As far as metal items are concerned, I've had good service from Village Tinsmith and C&D Jarnagin

http://www.csa-dixie.com/villagetinsmith.htm

http://www.jarnaginco.com/

There's a couple Ebay Stores worth noting.  Milk Creek Merchantile, and Tombstone Outfitters.  Both have decent gear at good prices and fast delivery.  Everything arrived as advertised.  

The big thing with me, above price even, is customer service and the places I mentioned here and in my previous post are all good.  But Blockade Runner tops the list.  They have contests too, and that makes buying fun.  This past Christmas they were giving away a Defarbed Enfield.  I didn't win though . Any time I've called with a question though, they've been very helpful.  They also send out these flyers with your order, and when you collect 4 (I think) you can get money off your shipping on the next order.  All that is why I think they deserve mention here.  

--Last edited by TheBaldYankee on 2007-05-15 05:24:30 --

Yakima makes a very nice Wedge tent. The closest to the QM specs for size of any of the tents I've seen. All they need is a sod cloth and foot ropes. I've had mine for twenty years and it's still going strong.

They are also one of the sponsors of the site. See their ad under "Re-live the Civil War".

I would like to recommend Missouri Boot and Shoe, for boots and Federal double bag knapsacks.

In looking over his website, he talks about his product compared to originals.  Also when I ordered my knapsack from him, he quoted 4 weeks and in 4 weeks I had it.

He is a little tricky to get hold of on the phone, but if you try hard enough you will get him, and he is quite helpful.

Edit: Sorry, I misread Ken's original post that he was looking for Mainstream sutlers.  Either way I would still recommend MB&S to a mainstreamer.  

--Last edited by lhsnj on 2007-05-12 22:38:08 --

For what it's worth, here is the list of approved vendors from my mainstream group (who have decent standards) (also note the number of CPH vendors on it to buttress what someone else said about streamers buying better stuff):

19th Century Hats by Bender
C&D Jarnagin Company
Cedar Creek Supply Depot
Childs Country Cloth
Civil War Eyewear
CJ Daley Historical Reproductions
Civil War Muskets
Dells Leatherworks
Dirty Billy's Hats
Fall Creek Suttlery
Jersey Skillet Licker
L.D. Haning Accouterments
Missouri Boot and Shoe Company
Panther Primitives Tents
Provisional Supply
Regimental Quartermaster
NJ Sekela, Clothing Designer
Sew Long Ago
Wambaugh, White, & Company  


I think I should point out that IN NO WAY am I personally endorsing these vendors as I have not dealt with all of them, some items are better than others at some, but this is just an example of one unit's (my home unit) approved vendor list.  

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2007-05-14 22:32:47 --

Is anyone interested in stores Ive bought patterns from? Ive had some good, some not so good. I have an order on some other things that I hopefully will get this week, if not I wont be a happy camper but Ill let you know.

I've bought from so many sutlers I can't remember them all. No offense, but it totally blows me away that Blockade Runner is spoken of in good terms...I guess I'm still in the mindset of the "other" forums. Now, don't get me wrong, most reenactors seem to think they're the WalMart of the reenacting world and they aren't worth your money. I've bought loads of items from them, and been well pleased with the service and quality. I've owned 2 pairs of brogans, both BR purchases, both still being worn. No complaints here.

I've bought uniform items from C&C including my favorite butternut britches. My pards are starting to avoid me now, as they have over 4 years of service, with not a tear, or a washing either

To move away from the decidedly mainstream sutlers, I cannot brag enough about Dirty Billys hats. You may get a decent enough uniform or leathers on sutler row, but do yourself a favor and buy a high quality hat.

Gregg Hensley
22nd NC State Troops, Co. K
The McDowell Boys

Gregg,

This is why we are asking for the input. We will weigh the pros and cons of each while looking at their quality both in product and service. There are some which will likely not make the cut beause of material quality and others who will mis because of customer service issues.