Description

Back by popular demand, we are excited to offer again a limited run of our exclusive pattern lightweight canton flannel undershirt. Based on several original examples here is the shirt many of you have asked us to make. Made to go either under the wool shirt for added warmth and comfort on the cold winter days, or, under the cotton shirt as well, for a cozier experience in the Spring or Fall.  I have included a photo of the undershirt worn buttoned to the neck under the outer shirt which is open. This is a style I have seen in several period photos – mostly of men either while working at fatigue duties or attempting to strike a “fighting Man” pose with knives, etc. Often the sleeves are rolled up as well. This shirt is pure utility and was made without pockets specifically to be worn under an outer shirt. Common pattern straight side seam with sleeve gussets and a simple banded neck to fit neatly under the outer shirt collar. The front placquard is shorter than the normal shirt – just big enough to accommodate pulling over the head and buttons with a single high grade finished bone button at the top. The sleeves are cut and hemmed at 3/4 length with no applied cuff. A slit in the lower seam at the edge accommodates pulling the sleeve over the hand and also facilitates rolling up the sleeve if desired. The 3/4 sleeve designed to fit loosely inside the outer shirt and end above the outer shirt cuff. As in most of the clothing of the day, the shirt has machine sewn seams and hand sewn button hole. Made in a coarse weave, lightweight, white 100% cotton/canton (one-sided) flannel. Marked with simple manufacturers stamp of Noah Walker and Company of Baltimore. Walker is a unique and special documented pre-war and wartime  maker and dealer in “Citizens and Military Clothing”, as his period advertisements indicated. He had quite extensive market exposure and contracts having establishments in Baltimore, Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, Washington D.C, and Illinois, making him a quintessential source for clothing for both sides, before, during, and after the war, beginning in the 1840s and not selling out until the 1890s. Each of his establishments carried their own local name and served their local markets acting as distributors of his wares. They are not pre-washed, but our tests showed  if they are washed properly, in cold water, either by hand or delicate cycle, and hung dry – virtually no shrinkage is evident. (Please see Size Chart on Home Page for measurements)

Important Note: Modern made Canton, or cotton, flannel is very prone to fraying on the cut edges of the material. To prevent this and provide better durability and integrity for the garment, we apply a machine sewn interlocking blanket stitch on the cut edges of the material along the interior of the inseams. If this is a feature which you find unacceptable for some reason, please do not order our flannel clothing. The alternative methods of dealing with this issue by hand would result in a significantly more expensive product for our customer.