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Civil War Woodworking
Being both a woodworker and an avid Civil War reenactor, I naturally wanted to make my own reproductions of wooden items appearing in the wealth of photography taken during the war. Many items were available for sale from vendors of reenacting gear, but a lot of it (most of it, really) wasn't authentic -- incorrect hardware and materials, inaccurate design and dimensions, anachronistic details. But when I looked around for period-correct plans for 19th-century wooden gear I discovered something: While a few people had posted some accurate simple projects online, there was no book or solid published resource to help the reenactor. So, I did what any reenacting woodworking writer would do and decided to create the definitive reference on the subject: "Civil War Woodworking," published in 2009 by Linden Publishing. The book was so popular that Linden asked for a sequel. "Civil War Woodworking, Volume II" was released in 2014, and was immediately embraced by the reenacting community. The two volumes sold well for several years, and they remain the only two references of their kind. Although now out-of-print (more on this below!), they're available at most libraries.
Civil War Woodworking, Volume I
Researched using photos from The Library of Congress and the National Archives, existing samples in museums, and from items in the author's own collection, this volume provides introductory chapters on period-correct materials, hardware, and techniques, followed by instructions and step-by-step photos to build reproduction items used during the Civil War.
The Projects:
Five-Board Bench
Hardtack Crate
Ammunition Box
Folding Camp Table
Bucksaw
Folding Camp Stool
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Officer's Camp Chair
Officer's Field Desk
Pocket Mirror
Tent Pegs
Three Camp Games
Candle Lantern
Civil War Woodworking, Volume II
As with Volume I, all projects are based on measurements and examination of period items in museums and the author's collection, as well as close study of archival images from The Library of Congress and the National Archives. This volume introduces some more intricate projects, as well as several lathe-turned reproductions of Civil War items.
The Projects:
Shipping Crates
Camp Chest
Spurtle
Ballot Box
Tent Slips
Turned-leg Camp Stool
Officer's Camp Chair
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Button Polishing Board
Folding Table
Field Cot
Battle Rattles
Domino Box
Shaving Box with Mirror
"Papers in Camp at Rappahannock Station" by Edwin Forbes 1839-1895
Latest News!
Hundreds of you have emailed me about being unable to get copies of both volumes of "Civil War Woodworking." Well, they've been discontinued by the publisher and are now considered "out of print." You can still find copies from independent sellers for ridiculous prices. I recently found one seller asking over $500! Remember, those are independent booksellers who can charge whatever they like, so those insane prices are out of my control. (And, I don't see an extra penny on those inflated sales.)
The good news: All rights and publish-ready files for both books reverted to me. I'm now exploring having them printed on my own, perhaps through print-on-demand.
So, I apologize to those of you who've been trying to find copies, but I've kept all of your emails. As soon as things are set, I will send emails out, as well as post announcements here, on my Facebook page, and in the various online Civil War forums. If you'd like to get on the list use the contact form here. Hang in!
Camp Chest Hasp
The Camp Chest Project in "Civil War Woodworking Vol. II" features a unique iron hasp patterned after the one used on the camp chest of Confederate General William Taliaferro. Jim Brown of Iron Mule Blacksmithing reproduced the hand-crafted hasp seen in the project and had offered to supply them to interested readers. I'm sad to report that Jim passed away. His good humor and dedication to authentic Civil War ironwork will be sincerely missed.
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However, I found a new source for these hasps that will make your project perfect, and he's already made and sent out a number of them to readers. His name is Michael Elledge and he charges a very reasonable $40 for the hasp and a pair of the mounting staples, plus shipping. If you want one just contact me through this site and I'll put you in touch with him, or reach him through his site at www.jmelledge.com.
Patterns & Templates
