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Thursday, May 07, 07:49:47am [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4 ]

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Date Posted: 02/ 8/05 12:38:19pm
Author: Doug Cooper
Subject: Daley Tait jackets

Gang, I would like to clarify some confusion about Chris Daley Tait jackets that has apparently arisen over an order by one of us. This member has told several of us that he received a "horrendous" Tait jacket in the wrong fabric that looks like a child made it.

Nonsense.

Fabric - there is only one source right now for blue-gray kersey, Charlie Childs, and that is what Chris uses. His K-1 has been a standard fabric for Tait's, RD 3's, and imported capes and overcoats for many years. It matches some of the surviving RD 3 jackets and a Tait or two and is a bit lighter than others. Unless one has seen a jacket in person, relying on photos to try to match fabric is too hard. In any case, Charlie really does have the only fabric right now. Pat Kline no longer makes it and anything from England is hit or miss, and very expensive. Of note, Bob McDonald, original uniform expert and owner of Tait jackets and trousers, likes the weight of CC's fabric as it matches more closely the original Tait's he has seen, one of which was so stiff it could almost stand up by itself (combo of the kersey plus linen lining).

Also, Chris did not increase his Tait price even after Pat Kline got out of the fabric biz. Childs BG kersey is about $9 a yard more than Pat's was. The cost of the imported Irish linen lining has gone up as well as the Euro has risen so fast vs the dollar.

Stitching - Chris has personally examined the original jacket he bases his on, owned by a member of the 2nd Virginia Infantry (with a red collar) closely. The top-stitching on the cuffs is only about 3-4 stitches per inch max...it is not a beautiful thing. The double row of front panel top stitching on most Taits is only on the front panel that has the buttons, not the side with the buttonholes, though at least one of the jackets only has a single row on both sides.

For our member to insist he got a "horrendous" Tait, never having seen the original, nor knowing anything in general about the other surviving originals other than photographs, lacks credibility. We need to check our facts before we run around on fire in public potentially damaging the rep of a guy (or anyone else) who is probably one of the most knowledgable, most exacting, and certainly most ethical vendors in the hobby.

And in case anyone is wondering - I bought my Tait "off the rack" from Chris as part of a run, like I do most everything...it was not custom made.

Doug

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