For a Christmas present for an amigo of mine, I sure would like to get ahold of the coat, or a patten of one,like the one with the navy collar (?) that Clint wore as Josey Wales. Is it just a matter of adding the "flap" in the back, or would there be more to it?
Look at a Dixie Gun Works catalog for patterns.
I seem to remember it as a Cavalry Greatcoat, and both sides wore pretty much the same style.
If you're going to produce one - there 'is' more to it - but such things can be bought through the various Civil War reenactor dealers.
Scouts Out!
St George
Thanks for the feedback amigo, but I wondering if we're refering to the same jacket. The one that I'm talking about was about waist length, and had three quarter length sleeves. Could this have been a cut down version of the one to which you refered?
FH
BTW your alias wouldn't have any conection to the city of the same name in Utah, would it?
No idea.
I saw that movie and the movie poster when it was first released and my recollection is of that particular photo, nothing more.
It was common for the Irregular to use those articles of clothing that they'd come across, and any sort of greatcoat was valued as a prime source of comfort and warmth, as it doubled as a blanket.
It 'could' have been cut-down - but clothing made for mounted men was generally saddle-length, so you need a much better view of his outfit.
Nonetheless - you'll find good patterns available from Dixie.
As to Utah - no - not at all.
Vaya,
Scouts Out!
I would be interested to find out if anyone found out anything on this coat!
I personally have NEVER seen one like it anywhere other than this movie (Josey Wales). It's NOT a classic Cavalry "Roundabout" nor is it much like one of the Historical "Great-Coats" either. Something about this coat screams Bush-Guerilla, which is,I think, exactly what it was meant to do...
I think it's important to note that Josey was a part of a Confederate Guerilla Group...this may seem obvious to some but not to all and it also lead me on some interesting searches where this Jacket is concerned.
Throughout the movie different characters refer to the confederate Guerilla's or Josey inparticuler as "BushWhacker(s)".
Also, in the rain sequence near the beginning of the movie Josey's Jacket looks like it's shedding water like an Oil Cloth.
So...I've been doing random searches for "BushWhacker Coat", "Confederate Oil-Cloth Coat", etc...
As of yet I have found NO exact matches to his jacket but some with certain characteristics of it.
From what I remember of it, it looked like an oil cloth duster with the sleeves shortened to about 3/4 length and cut off below the waist. I think it had the shoulder cape but now I'll have to watch it again to pay more attention. I doubt anyone actually in that situation would cut up a good duster like that.
Considering we are talking about Confederate Guerrilla's, who were'nt known for their adherence to military dress code...it's hard to say what they would or wouldn't do as far as their clothing.
I'm guessing that because Josay's coat is so unique that it was either supossed to have been hand made by him or for him and to serve in a very utilitarian way much as many of the more country type guerrilla's were partial to wearing a home made shirt of plaid that had large U shaped pockets on the breast.
The length of Josey's Coat (it goes below the waist line to below the crotch) looks to be the standard if not shortened length of an enlisted man's frock coat. The sleeves, which are shortened to a little below the elbow, are obviously made so to free up the lower arm and hand motion...Confederate Guerrilla's were known to favor pistols and to carry up to four of them at a time
(as Josey does) most being simply tucked in their belts for ease of draw.
Hey! Here's a thought...maybe I can track this sucker down through the costumer for the movie.
I'll repost if I find anything.
Howdy Pards!
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/Michael1787/outlaw-josey-wales-12.jpg)
IMHO, in this case... you might be looking at a Hollwood production and then attempting to find a historical garment in the Past that actually existed that matches a "Wardrobe" creation.
I can think of no actual Civil War era uniform item that was the basis of "Josey Wales" jacket. (Without watching the movie again, it reminds me of a cut-down body and sleeves from a modern "Australian Drover's' type coat" kinda/sorta...
You best bet, IMHO, may be DVDing the movie so that individual frames can be frozen or "stepped" in full clarity and the details sketched down. With enough sketches (or possibly collecting enough Internet images from the movie), you might can fight a maker or just a sewer who can create a similar one for you.
There was a small, new, company on-line company I once saw that was starting to do some Eastwood western "prop" items- but I do not recall the name. (came about a few months ago when a pard wanted an Eastwood "Pale Rider" coat and hat.)
Mick Archer
Great Pic! That is not one I have found online and I've really been looking...got anymore? :)
Yes, I am certain you are correct about the Non-Historical Part of this coat.
As it happens, I do own Josey Wales on DVD and have been going through and making sketches. Two of the best scenes in the movie for this are the "Rose of Alabama" scene where Josey takes off his gun belt and the his jacket hangs naturally AND the
"In Town" scene where you can get some great close-up's of Josy's shoulder cape.
As it also happens, my girl-friend is a Civil War Re-enactor and a wonderful seamstress!
She has promised to do some sketches for me of Josey's Coat and if she let's me...I'll post them here!
Now how about any opinions as to fabric? I'm thinking canvas of some kind but what is that color? Sometimes it looks brown and other times it looks to be a dark grey...I'm inclining toward the grey. Opinions anyone?
Well it's been 30 years, but Glenn Wright was still working last I knew....
Glenn was the Costume Designer for OJW and about a dozen other Eastwood projects...
I know he did Unforgiven... Heartbreak Ridge in the ninties...
You might try contact through SAG ( he has acted )
Be sure to post pics/drawings that show it. If you make a pattern, it would be interesting to see that. If I were going to make one, I'd make it from oilcloth. Probably a dark brown.
You can buy dark brown oil cloth from Panther Primitives. Great quality, but pretty oily at first.
Wouldn't it be easier to just buy a Aussie drover coat and cut it off at the waste and shorten the sleeves?
Will Ketchum
They also ake a short coat It would have snaps though.
Thanks to all for your interest!
I really like it when people take the time to try to help me solve a puzzle so I would like to try to reply to each and every one of you in turn...here goes:
Major 2: Thanks for the Glenn Wright info! I was not aware that he had acted. However, he is the only costumer listed on OJW and his listing reads something like "Oversee-er" which leads me to believe that most of the costumes were pulled from stock for the movie. The Josey Coat may hav been made special but I'm beginning to think that even IF I was able to get ahold of the guy...he probably wouldn't be able to tell me much more than I've allready sussed out. It's a good fall back idea though if I run into any snags in it's construction.
Marshall Will Wingham: I believe I have decided on canvas for the body of the coat and oil-cloth for the cape(if I can find them both in the same color) I will DEFINATELY post pics of any drawings and patterns here(girl-friend gave me permission)Thanks for the suggestion!
Dr. Bob: Thanks for the source for oil-cloth! I will definately check them out.
Will Ketchum: It's a tempting idea to buy something and cut it down...but my girl-friend/costumer always reminds me that it's easier to build what you want from scratch...I make it a habit to try to agree with her as much as possible as she's usually right! Thanks for the thought.
Delmonico: See answer directly above!
Thanks to all who offered input here...I should have some interesting things to post soon!
I'm STILL collecting good LARGE Pictures from the movie if anyone has the time to post them here I would be much obliged!!
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Thanks for keeping us advised.
Well then here is one more place to try...
Western Costume in LA.
They are by far the largest..
Believe it or not on North & South II the wardrobe dept. had both Earl Fylnn & David Niven's Tunic's from
Charge of the Light Brigade these were worn by two reenactor extras, as British Military observers at 1st. Bull Run
scenes.
They came from Western Costume, and still had the name tag's sewn in.
I just got a response back from Western Costume in L.A.
They have no information on the Josey Wales Coat.
I would think that a pattern for a caped great coat would be the place to start the creation process.
Books
UPDATE:
Rather interesting I think, I pointed out to my costumer that the hem on the cape of the "Josey" jacket appears to be inside out. She replied that it would make sense if the cape was intended to be drawn up for use as a hood in bad weather...I then pointed out that there are leather "Thongs" hanging from the bottom corners of the cape and this seems to have cynched the idea that these were intended to draw up the cape into a hood. COOL!
Also: here is a link to a wonderful period costumer that I was fortunate enough to camp with recently, check them out if you have the time and tell Kay that Paul sent you! And don't b discouraged from the look of the site, they do mens clothing too!
www.lavendersgreen.com
More soon on the Josey Coat!
Here are some details of the Josey Coat that I plan to forward to my costumer.
Did anyone else know that the DVD is NOT Copy Protected?
Makes me wonder WHY there are not better images available on line.
Here then are swatches of my purchased material to create the "Josey Wales Bush-Whacker-Coat"
A. 100% Organic Cotton Canvas From Mill End Fabric's in Oregon. (3 and 1/2 yards) I think the color is SPOT ON...but check the pics I posted and you be the judge.
B. Thick natural Hemp for the lining also available at Mill End.(2 yards)
But do keep in mind that I have a Civil War Event coming up and then there is Halloween...both of which I have costumes in the works for.
I will post again when progress has been made on the jacket, Never Fear!
Looking forward to the finished article. ;)
THIS IS NOT A CIVIL WAR ERA COAT OR JACKET IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WERE THINKING....I WAS A CW REENACTOR FOR MANY YEARS...ITS A HOLLYWOOD WARDROBE COAT/JACKET...NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT IF THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. DUSTY
Dusty: Thanks for the thought, though if you read the whole thread here you will see that we covered the "Non-Historical" aspect of the coat.
I am, however, un-willing to say that without a doubt there is NO historical basis for this coat, given the context underwhich it is presented and the questions we have answers to;
Is there an exact Historical uniform match for this coat? No, not that I could find.
Did confederate Guerilla's adhere to uniform dress codes? No.
Did Confederate Guerilla's make do with what they had,what they could scavage or what they could sew themselves? Yes.
Could a Confederate Guerilla have possibly come up with this particuler design for a bush coat? Absolutely.
Check out the picture I'm posting here.
The question I ask myself when I look at a Great Coat such as this is: Could a Confederate Guerilla take this coat, rip out the lining, ad raw hide and leather ties to it and then cut is down to something usable for horse-back bush fighting? MY imagination say's "You bet!"
WHEN YOU GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT NONE OF US WERE THERE(BACK IN THE DAY) AND WE DON'T HAVE A TIME MACH. SO....DO WHAT YOU WANT OR WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY....LIFE IS SHORT....I JUST GOT SNAPPED AT ON ANOTHER POST FOR SAYING THE OLD ARMY RUGER IS NOT CORRECT AS FAR AS HISTORY GOES BUT ITS A GREAT SHOOTING GUN....MY INTENT WAS NOT TO FLAME BUT POINT SOMETHING OUT AND I DID READ THE ENTIRE POST....SORRY FOR THE REPEAT....ALL THIS BEING SAID YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON THAT I KNOW OF THAT IS TRYING TO RE-PRODUCE THIS COAT. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN,DUSTY.
Dusty, you rock! I don't mind tellin ya...
You can be my wing man anytime!
You summed up my thoughts precisely and again, you are correct when you say it's all about having fun...I save my serious for re-enacting.
I'm really surprised that no-one else has made a go at re-creating this jacket and I am dead serious in my intent to see it done...and then post the results here...this is after all the first place that came up when I searched for "Josey Wales Coat"...I feel a bit beholden.
Thanks for your interest!
I still intend to post results here at Cas City BUT...
I thought I should add a link to my web-site just in case some of you might want to stop on by and sign my guest book! I'd be proud to have you over for a spell!
http://nopeek.tripod.com/bitten/id92.html
Your not the only one that has tried to find info out about the coat. I've got an oil skin drover that I love as a rain jacket around the farm and has served me well. However I shot a match in the rain with it and found it cumbersom to shoot multiple guns and targets. I think the shortened sleves would definatly help out there.
You ever get a good pattern made up please post it as I'm interested in something like that.
Heck, the Outlaw Josey Wales was the first western that I can realy remember and it's what got me interested in open top colts and conversions even though they wern't period correct for the time.
Thanks
It's about time this old thread get's resurrected, dontcha think?
I got a Birthday "Howdy!" from Cas City this morning,
sorta kicked me in my back side and reminded me of the promise I made
to return here with some up-dates on the Josey Coat.
Well, no up-dates yet but I do have short story which I think is kinda amusing...
Remember that link I put up to Lavenders Green and also to my web-site?
Remember the picture collage I posted of images of Josey's Coat?
Well it seems that SOMEONE out there got tired of waitin on my sorry carcuss and
got a hold of Lavenders Green recently!
The funny thing here is that my girl-friend occassionally works for Lavenders Green and so got a call
from Kay the owner. Kay asked if Meg(my girl) would have any interest in doing a commission job
that came with pictures? Ofcourse Meg asked to see the pics and sure nuff, it's the Josey Coat Pics I originally posted!
It's lucky I got my bid in first, though it looks now as though BOTH coats will be made side by side. 8)
I'm now pushin for all I'm worth but the lady-friend can be as stubborn as a mule...hope to post some progress soon!
Thanks for the patience out there! ::)
We are waiting with baited (bated?) ( Inever can remember which it is :-[) breath.
Will Ketchum
Sure am glad this thread was resuscitated.
I'm a stickler for historical accuracy and documentation. The one thing I think is important to maintain, though, is remembering that we're still reenacting people who adapted and created back then, just like we do today. The movie takes place at the end of the War. The OJW Coat could've easily been made by a seamtress in a Confederate guerilla friendly town from a discarded coat that JW picked up. The sleeves could've been shortened cuz he needed the makings for a tourniquet.
If you put your mind in the mind of a person like JW, I think you can justify coming up with a coat that would be arguably historically correct, even without documentation. Getting "in the mind of" or "in the spirit of" the people back then is what I'm trying to achieve. That's what made OJW an effective movie and I too look forward to seeing your coat.
BTW, I would not change the rules of various groups here, though! No way could "in the mind of" or "in the spirit of" rules be written without risking an "anything goes" result.
BP
Thought I should also post a link to my lady's new web-site where more pictures will be posted of the Josey Coat when it's finished.
She just opened this site so keep in mind if you look, there's a lot of work to be done to it yet:
http://funksimile.goods.officelive.com/default.aspx
Cool site. Be sure to let us know when there will be more to see on the coat.
Progress!
Look here: http://nopeek.tripod.com/bitten/id92.html
I would be interested in any insights you all may have as to those closures of Josy's Coat.
The trickyest of the lot appear to be rolled cow-hide which I'm figuring to make with either
small dowl pieces at the center or bone with two holes each for leather tongs.
Maybe someone offer's these pre-made?
Thanks for any input!
I found a great pic of the small leather "Tongs" I'm speaking of on
either side of Josey's front closure to his jacket...
Can't figure out how to post the dang thing though... ???
UPDATED!
Look here: http://nopeek.tripod.com/bitten/id92.html
Looking good...anxious to see the final product. :)
Again, more up-dates can be found here: www.funksimile.com
I would love to post pics here but still can't make it work ???
I also have a Wales Rig coming and a hat to top off the whole look.
The Hat is being done for me by Tom Hirt tomhirt.com/pricelist.htm
JohnnyReb who's doing the Wales rig for you? Check out the one offered by Allan over at Chishom's Trail. It's in the movie holster section. http://chisholmstrailleather.com/ You can't beat a Tom Hirt hat IMHO.
Yup...Allan's doing the Josey rig for me!
I looked and looked and his was the only one I saw offered.
When I spoke to him he told me that he took the outline from a screen used one so, you gotta know it's accurate.
Holster's.
Belt and accurate buckle...plus the Tom Hirt Hat...I'm practically bedded down by the mail-box! ;D
I been forgetting to mention...anybody been looking for that "Lindsy-Woolsy" shirt
that Josey and all the boy's wore? My gal's been working on that too!
At the bottom of the page,Take a look and see what you think: http://funksimile.com/joseywales.aspx
Allan's currently working on a belt for me to match the "Slim Jim" holster I just got from him. He does beautiful work plus he's a nice guy to boot. Looks to me like you found the perfect woman JohnnyReb ;D I may just have to order one of those fine looking shirts she makes. I have a couple of projects ahead it, but I've saved it in my favorites. ;)
UPDATE 11/26/2008
I will be adding a link to pics of the COMPLETED Josey Wales Coat TODAY!
We revamped it in wool and added all the toggles and leather braid as seen in the movie...MORE TODAY!
;D :oHere it is at long last! :o This is an awesome coat and full blown screen acurate right down to the leather toggles and braid.
Follow this link and scroll down past the first gray incarnation of the coat: http://nopeek.tripod.com/bitten/id92.html
Go to www.funksimile.com for details and ordering and Thanks to all who followed this thread! ;D
Does anyone have any idea as to what that braid is for on the front of Josey's Jacket?
Maybe no-one has noticed this detail but us but if you look real close on the front right side of his jacket you can see it looped through the front of his cape and having tassles on both ends.
When my girl-friend reproduced the coat we had this braid tied in "Brain Tanned" leather and it's really sharp, but even the leather worker had no idea as to it's use...I suggested that perhaps it's a goad for the horse, the leather worker didn't like that idea and flattly denied that it would be used that way...I still don't know!
C:\Documents and Settings\Megan\My Documents\My Pictures\joseywales\reference\braid-Detail.jpg
So I go to your Funksmile site and check out the new coat...nice!
Then I see and I'm looking at the "leather braid" thingy there, thinking to myself, "What's that?"
When I look at it a little closer my mind sez, "Hey, it's a little too long for what it's supposed to be, but they're trying for a Quirt!"
In fact I have one almost just like it. Your's is just longer...
Quote from: JohnnyReb on April 21, 2008, 12:42:14 PM
Thought I should also post a link to my lady's new web-site where more pictures will be posted of the Josey Coat when it's finished.
She just opened this site so keep in mind if you look, there's a lot of work to be done to it yet:
http://funksimile.goods.officelive.com/default.aspx
So I'm over at this site, admiring her work/s.
Then I look a little closer and I see that it sez "Hillsboro, Orygun"
(Which is right HERE, where I'm sitting right now!)
And I think, "Well, if I want one of these, I'll just saunter right over and get fitted!" ;D
(Except I'd get mine made in Butternut wool ;))
Received my new Josey Hat today compliments of Tom Hirt! I'm pretty sure I specified a Silver Braid for the band but maybe not. This hat's a beauty!
(http://C:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CPaul%20E.%20Smith%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20Pictures%5CJoseyWALES%5CNEWJoseyHat.jpg)
Johnny Reb I'm sure you must have gotten the Josey Wells rig from Allan by now...how do you like it? Pics?
The hat cord looks great. I think the gold one sets it off.
I know this thread is a bit long in the tooth, but does anyone know if anyone is doing a decently made Josey Wales coat?
Yes Tuson Jack over at the sass wire,he made me a really nice vest and he specializes in the coat.See if you can locate him on the sass classifieds.Tell him i sent ya. :)
Make that Tusac :-[
Yes sir a right fine Josie coat,thanks Clint ;)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/gunclickrick/Josie1001-3.jpg)
Lookin good there Rick! ::) ;D
That's the coat Tusac Jack makes..I had to get one..Thank You~~ :)
The braid is for tying the back flap when or if you roll it up.So i am told by the maker.. :)
If you really want to make one, try Buckaroo Bobbins. They have several patterns that work. I made a bib front drovers shirt and several collarless and ribbon collared shirts from their patterns. They are easy to follow directions.
I know this is ana ancient thread but I am going to try and revive it. ;D I have just recently signed up for CAS and have chosen the ALias of "The Outlaw Travis James". I have been scouring the interwebs looking for Josey Wales costumes and all I keep getting are the hat and pintrest posts of cheap halloween single use type costumes. I found this thread and read through it following all of the links. Unfortunately the links to JohnnyReb's website are no longer active. I was wondering if you could repost those pics JohnnyReb? Or maybe send then to my email? My girlfriend is also a seamstress and we want to recreate the jacket. Or even better, maybe a pattern? Any help is greatly appreciated. 8)
greetings my good travis
in a brief search I found this place that sells them
https://www.wyomingclassics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=JOSEYCOAT
and this pattern that can be modified to work
https://www.amazon.com/Buckaroo-Bobbins-4337011741-Range-Pattern/dp/B001F3J16K/ref=sr_1_5?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1532842787&sr=1-5&keywords=%22josey+wales%22
good luck
prof marvel
When we did a josey wales match last year i redid a muzzle loading era frock coat that my wife had made for me when we were engaged. I removed the fringe, redyed it, made 3/4 length sleeves and rolled leather buttons. Turned out ok and still fit me after 41 years. Good luck.
Quote from: Professor Marvel on July 29, 2018, 12:45:02 AM
greetings my good travis
in a brief search I found this place that sells them
https://www.wyomingclassics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=JOSEYCOAT
and this pattern that can be modified to work
https://www.amazon.com/Buckaroo-Bobbins-4337011741-Range-Pattern/dp/B001F3J16K/ref=sr_1_5?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1532842787&sr=1-5&keywords=%22josey+wales%22
good luck
prof marvel
Much obliged :D
Quote from: Baltimore Ed on July 29, 2018, 06:18:33 AM
When we did a josey wales match last year i redid a muzzle loading era frock coat that my wife had made for me when we were engaged. I removed the fringe, redyed it, made 3/4 length sleeves and rolled leather buttons. Turned out ok and still fit me after 41 years. Good luck.
That's a nice looking jacket!!! I need to get me one of those!!!