M1874 Palmer Brace Suspenders from WPG

[FTrooper]

and the Indian Wars stuff is starting to roll in! http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/232103492523

Chris Fischer
F Troop

[The Pathfinder]

FTrooper, god I love you guys. How did you ever know that I just started to work on a Palmer brace belt (having to custom make it because...well...I'm not the slim svelte young trooper I was forty some years ago, ya' know). I was wondering if I could recreate the suspender system from pictures I've collected of it, and now I don't have to. Thanks, loads. The Pathfinder Cap'n, Atlantic Scouts

[FTrooper]

It is kind of nice when someone beats you to the punch sometimes!  Makes life alot easier.  This started as a project several years back where I had a M1872 set reproduced off of an original (for a VERY pretty penny).  Slowly I started to get access to other Indian Wars items and collections and met a talented leather worker. We started trying to do a few thing be coordinating with three or more people across three states and life events (lost jobs, health, moves, divorces, etc) cause the project to drag and something to get postponed indefinitely. All of a sudden the curator of Fort McKavett, Texas (who took over from me when I was there) said he wanted to redo the barrack as 1874 as he and I discussed several times (and what really started my 1872 fixation). He said he needed 20 sets of gear!  My maker wasn't able to handle such an order and the prices would be astronomical.  I knew What Price Glory has started doing some great quality Spanish American War stuff though I thought "what the heck"...boom, its now reality. The stuff will be good quality and inexpensive by comparison.  Everything is being made off copies of originals or museum quality copies made off of originals. Myself and a man named K.C. Kirkman sent alot of original and high quality reproductions to California where they were hand delivered to India for patterning. I even sent a bag full of original hardware. Things will trickle in over the course of the next few months that will appeal to the casual shooter to the advanced collector (you should see the prototype M1872 meat can)

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

[smoke]

FTrooper....first off I want to say, thanks for doing this w/WPG!!  It is pretty cool that this stuff is being repro'ed and WPG is a very reputable seller unlike some other vendors.

One request, can you get Jerry to start a new category?  Indian wars or pre 1898?  It can be hard to find stuff on his website.  Since it looks like this category is gonna grow, it would be nice.

Thanks!

[FTrooper]

Thank you Smoke.  As I noted the original plan was to get a local craftsman to make a few and they would be expensive. WPG will make many and keep the price low enough for the casual shooter/collector. While I make no money off this project as a result, I feel it was better for the hobby as a whole. I'll just toot my own horn and take credit for the technical advice and samples I sent. ;-)

Jerry Lee has added a section:
http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/c183-1878-1938/

That should link you to the page. As more items come in he may subdivide the category.

BTW...for those wondering, YES the Haversack, Clothing Bag, and Waist-belt are also in production. COMPLETE M1872 and M1874 equipment's will be available. They have even sourced correct color and weight material for 1874 "grey" shirts and are working on hats as well!  Its going to be an exciting 2017 for the Indian Wars ans Span Am crowds.

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

[Pitspitr]

(you should see the prototype M1872 meat can)

SERIOUSLY!? They're going to make a M-1872 Meat Can?

Sign me up!

[1860Henry]

I do hope that he will make the meat can. Originals are expensive and I would sure hate to actually use them!

[FTrooper]

they have my original M1872 meat can and a type II M1874.  They are working on the dies for both. Part of this will depend on the popularity of the current products.  The more we buy the more new products that will come out. Right now he added M1872 suspenders, valise, and haversack. M1872 saber belt (waiting on slings), M1874 suspenders, brace, cltohingbag and the M1882 psitol belt!

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

[1860Henry]

Good- an 1874 meat can (earlier style) is in the works too! I hope things will sell briskly for Jerry so that the meat cans might appear before long.
From the looks of it on eBay, his Indian Wars/ Span-Am War things looked to be selling well. I hope to add to that soon- I want an 1878 blanket bag.

[FTrooper]

Henry, I saw the prototype mock ups of the M1872 can before the final dies were made (with the proper stamp). We figured out that the "Type II" M1874 mess kit (seen at 1876 sites) and the later "M1885" style are identical except were the ring is placed (high noon vs. 1 o'clock). That is an easy way to hit both Indian Wars and Span Am with one set of dies, so why not?  Again, this stuff will be trickling on over the course of the next year. Jerry and his suppliers have ALOT of irons in the fire including a big line of new WW1 era stuff. we were very pleased so much stuff showed up just in time for Xmas. Saber slings for the M1872 and M1874 cavalry belts are going to be on the next boat as will be some other odds and ends.

Chris Fischer
F-Troop

[1860Henry]

Thanks, Chris!

I look forward to being able to take my M1910 meat can out of my haversack and replace it with one of the M1874s (and also looking forward to the '72 for my other setup).

Chris

[Garret]

Greetings Chris F and All,
I've not been active on the forum lately and only recently seen this thread.  It's great to see this early equipment coming out!  Many thanks to you and your collector friends that are ramrodding this project.
Chris, do you know if Jerry Lee is planning to bring out any of the 1872 pattern Hagner Pouches or the 1870 Dyer Pouch Belt, '72 or '74 Dyer Pouch?  It'd be a shame to have the '72 and '74 saber belts available with only McKeever Pouches.  I've seen some other vendors' '74 Dyer and am mostly not impressed.  I'd love to see WPG release some of these. 
I ordered one of the '72 belts and will keep watching!  I'm also anxiously awaiting the '72 and '74 meat cans!!
All the best,
Garret

[FTrooper]

Garret,

Both versions of the Hagner are in production. They will come with the .45-70 fingers already inserted. This just means that the .50-70 guys like myself have to undo a couple stitches and pull the fingers out.

The M1870 and M1872 Dyer Pouches are no in the plans yet as we do not have an example we can send of either.  I have a friend who will allow me and a leatherworker access to his and other rare IWP items but won't allow them to be sent overseas. Believe it or not, I already have all the special hardware needed for 10 the M1870 sling pouches cast. I just need a source for the narrow sling swivel (Jerry Lee is looking into that) and a time when my leather guy is back on his feet and able to meet with me and my friend. 

The 1874 Dyer is in question. There are already makers of the item and we aren't sure how much we can improve on Pacific Canvas's version for the price. I also know that M1875 holsters and M1870 bayonet frogs are in the works as well. We are also waiting on the M1872/74 saber slings for the cavalry belts and we are working on M1859 Stuart Saber attachments (not the later M1881 style) which I have found at many Indian War sites from Montana to Texas!

Best,
Chris Fischer
F-Troop