ACW Union Frock Coats (1 Viewer)

[curassier]

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but many of the recent Britains Union offerings have been dressed in frock coats - some with hat, some with kepi. Are there any specific units that this dress would be most appropriate for? Presumably they are not seeking to represent units of the Iron Brigade since I see Ken has designed specific figures for them? Would it be appropriate to mix frock coats and sack coats in a given Union unit? Thanking you all.
Curassier

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There...the simple answer is yes you can mix. If you look at period images it is harder to find everyone dressed the same than with slight variations, once they are in the field. Although I designed new Iron Brigade figures for 1st gear/W.Britain, these will also mix well with the earlier releases with felt hats and kepis or fatigue caps. In the next go around we will add some Federals in sack coats with felt hats and/or Hardee hats too. By Gettysburg you would find a fair number of Iron brigade members wearing this last combination along side of men with 9 button frock coats. The 9 button was fairly common and these earlier releases could represent any number of units, although at the time of release I was considering Ohio troops. I suggest you pick up one of the photographic history of the Civil War books at one of the major bookstores. These period images will be a treasure trove of details for you.
By the way these will go perfectly with the Iron Brigade set I sculpted for Don Troiani...these show up on E-Bay from time to time. These in turn, will work with the earlier ones I did when I was working for Conte including the special set that came with a section of turnpike fence, and before that, the 3 figure set for Ertle/W.Britain. You should be able to combine all of these to build a realistic company. Look for additional flags and support figures later this year from 1st Gear/W.Britain.
I hope this helps, Ken Osen

 

[BlackHat]

Yes indeed, quite a few photographs show a mixture of tunics within a unit. Headgear is usually even more varied in many units -- Hardee hats (often undecorated), modified Hardees, various civilian hats, issue forage caps, private purchase kepis and so on.

How about some Union troops in shell jackets? Those were quite popular in the West.

 

[kilted vampire]

Hi There...the simple answer is yes you can mix. If you look at period images it is harder to find everyone dressed the same than with slight variations, once they are in the field. Although I designed new Iron Brigade figures for 1st gear/W.Britain, these will also mix well with the earlier releases with felt hats and kepis or fatigue caps. In the next go around we will add some Federals in sack coats with felt hats and/or Hardee hats too. By Gettysburg you would find a fair number of Iron brigade members wearing this last combination along side of men with 9 button frock coats. The 9 button was fairly common and these earlier releases could represent any number of units, although at the time of release I was considering Ohio troops. I suggest you pick up one of the photographic history of the Civil War books at one of the major bookstores. These period images will be a treasure trove of details for you.
By the way these will go perfectly with the Iron Brigade set I sculpted for Don Troiani...these show up on E-Bay from time to time. These in turn, will work with the earlier ones I did when I was working for Conte including the special set that came with a section of turnpike fence, and before that, the 3 figure set for Ertle/W.Britain. You should be able to combine all of these to build a realistic company. Look for additional flags and support figures later this year from 1st Gear/W.Britain.
I hope this helps, Ken Osen

I know that uniforms are a speciality with you, can you show us the different types of coats and hats?

 

[General Custer]

This charging figures are great!