Leesburg Arsenal

11/25/2023

As I liquidate the inventory of Leesburg Arsenal, I am fondly reminded of this tintype taken by John Bernaski at a local event. I would only reenact a soldier once after this at the 2008 Gettysburg bringing to a close 18 years as a foot soldier.

I became a sutler in 2005 and am now closing out that portion for a total of 33 years in the hobby.

In the photo, I made the NC commutation jacket, painted canvas belt, cart box sling, haversack and canteen sling.

11/09/2023

I am currently liquidating my inventory. I no longer attend events.

09/22/2023

Leesburg Arsenal is liquidating our inventory. I no longer transport to the field. Please check posts on Civil War Reenactors Trade Blanket sale page to see items for sale as they come up.

NO ITEMS ARE SOLD FROM HERE OR MY LEESBURG ARSENAL WEBSITE.

09/26/2021

RIP Bob Costello

08/16/2021

Got a dozen of these in this weekend. Essence of Coffee tin cans with non-soldered lids.

Finalizing the size of the labels this week.

07/29/2021

Waterbury Company. NY Excelsior buttons. REPRO approx 7/8ths inch in diameter

$2.00 each plus shipping. I have 79 in hand with possibly more socked away.

06/06/2021

Items that are made to order REQUIRE a 50% non-refundable deposit before work commences.

04/03/2021

Our thoughts go out to Chris Utley and family of South Union Mills. Home devastated by fire.

03/08/2021

02/28/2021

Pattern and test piece for a linen 1810 British Haversack

02/28/2021

A pile of pieces to make three Kibler Knapsacks.

I do not carry these in my shop.

02/20/2021

Interior button reinforcements are set. The pencil “dot” is the location of the button center. I can now determine where to place the reinforcements on the interior bag.

If I had not mentioned before, this haversack is a mix of machine and hand sewn components. The bag’s long seams will be machine sewn and hand felled. The reinforcements are machine sewn as is the strap. The interior bag is entirely hand sewn and felled.

It is finished off with three metal buttons. The customer adds their own leather closure.

I do make the leather closures for the haversacks I sell in my shop. Just not for this customer.

02/17/2021

Buckle reinforcement is in. Now to fold the button reinforcements into 2 inch squares and sew them to the bag before the side seams are closed. The shoulder strap can be sewn in at the same time or sewn last.

This bag is a one-piece body, and when sewn closed, produces a bag 13 inches deep by 13 inches across the top and 9.5 inches across the bottom and a 6 inch flap.

02/17/2021

Setting interior reinforcements for the main haversack

02/15/2021

Sewing button reinforcements This one is in the center of the interior bag of the haversack. The other two (a total of three) will be placed on the rear of the interior bag based on where the buttons fall accordingly on the haversack.

02/11/2021

Sewing inner bag for the haversack

02/10/2021

Making haversacks This type of unmarked US haversack is made for a specific customer It is different from the ones normally made for my shop.

I’ll have to warm up the basement to apply the blacking.