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Posted: 11/13/2016 1:34:06 PM EDT
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I have to vent about the process of "defarbing" reproduction black powder weapons.
"Farb" is a word that describes someone or something as unauthentic or anachronistic. This is considered an insult among hardcore historical reenactors. Depending on whom you ask, the word comes either from the German "farben" ("colors") or the phrase "far be it from me" (to criticize someone's impression). The height of farbism was during the Civil War centennial in the 1960's, when Sears work clothes in blue or gray would suffice for uniforms, and Trapdoor Springfields were considered more acceptable than Garands (which were sometimes also used). Finally, the first reproduction percussion rifles appeared on the scene -- but these were Remington Zouaves, weapons that were produced, but never issued, during the Civil War. Today, we have a plethora of reproductions of Civil War (and other historical) weapons. Not content with this, hardcore reenactors and history buffs are paying good money to have their reproductions "defarbed," that is, having the modern Italian markings removed and other, supposedly more "authentic," markings stamped in their place. As a collector, this practice bothers me greatly. First, the whole idea is silly. No spectator at a reenactment is going to see the Italian markings unless he comes within a foot of the weapon. And the reenactor himself already knows it's a reproduction. What's the point? Second, this opens the door to faking. Some reproduction guns are going to be passed off as originals, if not now, then maybe years from now. But to be honest, this one doesn't worry me too much. A collector familiar with the originals is unlikely to be fooled, since the reproductions tend to diverge from the originals in their details. (Beginning collectors might be fooled.) The third objection worries me the most. Reproduction guns are going to become collectible in themselves. Already the prices of some of these guns, new, rival the prices of originals. Some reproductions are already rare, having been discontinued years ago. Examples are the Civil War muskets made by the Japanese firm Miroku, which are considered to be the most authentic of the Civil War reproductions, and command a premium when found. Defarbing destroys valuable information. Knowing the specific maker is important. The best of the 1841 Mississippi rifles repros are considered to have been made by Antonio Zoli. If his name is ground off in the process of defarbing, how is an owner or purchaser to know that Zoli made the gun? It would take an unusual level of expertise. I have one or two reproductions that were defarbed by gunsmith John Zimmerman of Harpers Ferry, WV, who is considered to be one of the best in the business. It drives me crazy not to know who the actual maker was! So, if you are considering having your reproduction "defarbed," I beg you to reconsider! Doing this to guns will be considered, years in the future, to be equivalent to the butchering of military surplus guns in the 1950's and 60's, to turn them into sporters. (It seemed a good idea at the time.) |
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You are talking about modern "copies" of historical arms. My point was that these "copes" are soon going to be "historical" in their own right. (We already see that with the Japanese copies of the Brown Bess and the Civil War muskets, which are long out of production and command a premium over the current Italian versions.) If you remove the manufacturers' markings and proof marks, you lose the easy way of identifying them. This is a disservice to posterity. I took my Miroku 1861 Springfield and made an 1855 Harpers Ferry out of it, complete with working Maynard lock. But I kept the "Made in Japan" marking on the barrel. On the other hand, I have an 1841 rifle that was defarbed by John Zimmerman, and I have no idea who made it or when it was made. |
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I appreciate your point about "defarbing", but there may be something else at work too.
There are lots of guys (and it is almost exclusively guys) who reshape modern reproduction watches, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, etc. to look more authentic. It's not an effort to create counterfeit objects, but the fun of intricate metal work that re-creates rare machinery from the past. I like taking old (late 1800's) revolvers and making them look like they were made yesterday. Take a look at the company "Mob Guns" and you'll see what I aspire to. It's a hobby. And it's addictive as hell. G. |
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I was always told FARB stood for foolish and reckless bastards. That works too. There is a progression when people take up the hobby of reenacting. They start off as "farbs," then they become recreational "powder burners," and then, after they've been doing this awhile and need new challenges, they become nitpicking authentic "button counters." Then they burn out and leave the hobby altogether. I've been that route myself. I now collect Italian reproductions. It's frustrating as hell when the markings of origin have been removed, in a silly attempt to make the gun more "authentic." |
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If you are that into the re-enactment stuff no matter what you do to the weapon, it will always be a repro. Only you will know and you will never be totally satisfied because you bought an Italian repro.
After your long gone and your estate is being sold off some poor schmuck might think he hit pay dirt and pay some stupid price. If he keeps it until he dies, the story repeats itself! Bill |
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Quoted:
If you are that into the re-enactment stuff no matter what you do to the weapon, it will always be a repro. Only you will know and you will never be totally satisfied because you bought an Italian repro. After your long gone and your estate is being sold off some poor schmuck might think he hit pay dirt and pay some stupid price. If he keeps it until he dies, the story repeats itself! Bill You don't seem like you'd be a lot of fun at parties. G. |
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Quoted:
There is a progression when people take up the hobby of reenacting. They start off as "farbs," then they become recreational "powder burners," and then, after they've been doing this awhile and need new challenges, they become nitpicking authentic "button counters." Then they burn out and leave the hobby altogether. I've been that route myself. Pretty much happened to me. Started as a farb with the lowest quality uniform. Within a year, I had a high quality reproduction uniform and accessories. I did reenacting for 5 years. For the first 4 years, I was trying to do all the events. Then started burning out the last year, and now I'll maybe do 2 or 3 events a year now. Plus gaining some weight made the uniform fit a bit snug. Once I lose the weight, I'll probably get back into it more. |
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Then started burning out the last year, and now I'll maybe do 2 or 3 events a year now. I did a lot of Civil War reenacting during the 125th anniversary cycle. The highlight was probably the 125th anniversary of Gettysburg, in 1988. My last event was the Battle of the Crater, in August of 1989. I nearly died from heat exhaustion (I remember pouring entire canteens full of water over my head), and the "big explosion" of the Crater turned out to be a big nothing. Basically, my reenacting really was an excuse to collect all the gear. I was primarily a collector before, during, and after my reenacting days. |
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