CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
**Do not buy any items without first consulting a senior member of the unit**

 

Small Clothes

You should buy your small clothes first, because these are the most personal clothing items you will need. Small clothes consist of:

White linen military style Shirt

    Description:

    • Besides being historically correct, linen actually performs better than cotton for events when great variations in temperature would cause one to sweat during the day and freeze at night. Cotton is an acceptable alternative.
  • Justification:
    • Cuthbertson: “It is mistaken oeconomy in Officers, to buy very coarse linen for their soldier's shirts; that of one shilling and four-pence a yard is the cheapest, from which any material service can be expected: four shirts (three of which should be perfectly good) are as few as a soldier can dispense with, to support that neatness, which at all times should distinguish him: less than three yards and a half ought never to be put in one, unless the man, for which it is designed, is extremely low and thin, as it is a certainty, that the longer and larger they are made, the greater service may be expected from them: care must be taken, that they are worked both neat and strong, with buttons at the collar, which should not be allowed to turn over the stock, above an inch, to prevent its being entirely hid”
  • Source(s):
      • Make your own using Kannick’s Korner or JP Ryan men’s shirt pattern and white shirting linen or white cotton
      • Have a shirt made by Brenda Metz (bmetz@triad.rr.com) or Sherri Rapp (staleyrapp@mebtel.net)
      • Buy from Druid’s Oak, Just 2 Tailors, Godwin, Townsend, etc.
         

White wool weskit

    Description:

    • White wool waistcoat (weskit), lined in a light-weight linen, cotton or muslin. Waistcoats should have welted pockets and no pocket flap, and small 7th regimental buttons. White ticken or Russia Drilling is an acceptable alternative for the shell for exceptionally hot weather.
  • Justification:
    • H.M. Royal Clothing Warrant 1768: “The waistcoats to be plain, without either embroidery or lace.”...”The whole to have cross pockets, but no flaps to those of the waistcoat.”
      Thomas Simes: "All waistcoats must cover the soldier well, and to be made full in every part: they are to be cut square at the bottom, and open back from the lowermost buttonhole to the point: which lower button and hole are to cover the lower part of the waistband of the breeches
  • Sources:

White Russia Drilling gaiter-trousers (overalls)

    Description:

    • The gaiter-trousers, like breeches, should fit snug around the length of the legs and have a full backside. The length should reach nearly to the ground with your shoes on so that they perform their function of keeping dirt and debris from getting in your shoes.
  • Justification:
    • The use of gaitered trousers is based on documentation from other regiments serving in the southern campaign in 1780-1781, as no solid documentation for the clothing of the 7th Regiment exists from that time period.
      Brigade [of Guards] Order in December 15, 1780: "...the 1st Battalion to be provided with Brown Trowsers in order that the brigade may be uniform in this as well as the other part of their dress." … "The Commanding Officer Desires the Mens Regimental Breeches & Gaiters may be all sent on board the Baggage Ship as Soon as the Trowsers are Compleated, All the Women that have Children as also those that are not Servicable to the Battalions to be sent on board the Baggage Ship Immediately," (Orderly Book)
      43rd Reg’t Orders: Apollo Transport, Of[f] Brandon James River 23rd May 1781, Orders by Major Ferguson: … The Quarter Master will issue an equal proportion of the Trowzers, made since the Embarkation- to each Company to compleat them as near as possible to Two pair per Man. It is positively Ordered that no Soldier lands with more necessaries than his Blanket, Canteen, Haversack, Two pair of Trowzers, Two pair of Stockings, and Two Shirts, and Two pair of good Shoes. The Remaining Necessaries of each Company to be carefully packed up and Orders will be given as soon as possible for its been taken proper care of.”
      42nd Reg’t: Captain John Peebles, Grenadier Company, 42nd “Royal Highland” Regiment writes “Wednesday 26th. April [1780. Siege of Charleston, SC.] ...Had a review of necessaries found but little wanting, 8 pair of shoes & 4 or 5 shirts would serve us for two months to come, 46 linnen vests wanting to compleat to two each, & a whole set of trowzers for the Summer, but our Coats are very ragged” Peebles, p. 366.
      71st Reg’t, 2d Bn: "Brown Trowsers" and "Trousers, Camden" found on virtually every page of an account book belonging to a Lieut. in the 2d Bat, 71st Regt, original manuscript is in the Rare Books Collection at Duke U.
  • Sources:

Neckstock

    Description:

    • Black horsehair neckstock (black linen is an acceptable alternative, but plain leather is not)
  • Justification:
    • Cuthbertson: “Black stocks, besides having a more soldierly appearance than white ones, are a saving to the men in point of washing, and do not shew the dirt of a shirt, so much, after a day's wear: two will be necessary for each man; one of horse-hair for common use; the other of Manchester velvet for dress: and it will contribute much to the smartness of both, to edge them with scarlet cloth: the ends for the clasps to fix in, are best of leather, as that will last while the stocks do.”
  • Sources:

Socks - no one will see these, so wear whatever is comfortable to you. For added comfort and warmth in the winter, get a pair of wool stockings

 

Remainder of Clothing

These items are best purchased after the small clothes. Various members may have extras that they can lend, but you will still need your own fitted to your measurements.

Cocked Hat

    Description:

    • Black “fur felt” military style cocked hat (NOT a tricorn) with white hat band, black cockade and black ties. Hat will have to be modified to have black ties to hold up the leaves, and the button should be changed to a 7th regimental button. The cockade will be black horsehair.
  • Justification:
    • Black cotton twill tape is used to cock the hats. Its use is depicted in the Minorca paintings of the 25th Foot, John Singleton Copley's painting of The Death of Major Pierson, and deLoutherbourg's sketches and studies of British Soldiers, particularly the Warley Camp paintings.
  • Sources:

Shoes

Regimental coat for Enlisted Ranks

    Description:

    • This can be made by you or an approved regimental tailor. Buttons and regimental lace can be purchased from Roy Najecki. The regimental coat for drummers and fifers will be identical to that of the privates with the exception of the design and placement of the lace. More information will be forthcoming on the drummer’s coat and lace that we will use on the coats.
  • Justification:
    • Below, you will see that wool serge is to be used for the lining. According to Jim Kochan, “In the Guards regiments, material for other ranks clothing was generally better than those of the average standing regiment and we find "Padua serge" (a twill-weave, worsted material) specified for use as lining material in lieu of the cheaper baize. This holds true for some of the standing regiments, especially some of the wealthier "ancient" or royal regiments, where the regimental colonel sometimes provided better quality clothing that cost more than the reimbursement amount he would received from the Crown for such expenses. For example, we know that the 7th Fusiliers had padua serge linings to their coats.”
      Read here regarding Cuthbertson’s recommendations on the fit of coats:       http://www.33rdfoot.org/uniformspecs.html
  • Sources:

NCO Rank Distinctions in Clothing

    Corporals

    Corporals are to wear a silk epaulet as indicated in H.M. Royal Clothing Warrant of 1768: “The coats of the Corporals to have a silk epaulette on the right shoulder.”

    Serjeants

    Serjeants’s coats are to have plain white lace looping the buttons instead of the regimental lace as indicated in H.M. Royal Clothing Warrant of 1768: “The coats of the Serjeants to be lappelled to the waist, with the colour of the facing of the Regiment. The button-holes of the coat to be of white braid. Those on the waistcoats to be plain.”

    Serjeants will also wear a red wool worsted sash with blue stripe in the middle around the waist as indicated in H.M. Royal Clothing Warrant of 1768: “The sashes to be of crimson worsted, with a stripe of the colour of the facing of the regiment, and worn round the waist. Those of the regiments which are faced with red, to have a stripe of white.”

 

Accoutrements and Grooming

Other non-clothing items that are needed and/or useful to have.

    Knapsack

    Description:

    • The knapsack will be constructed of linen with buff leather straps, the outside flap painted brick red with the regimental device.
  • Justification:
    • Forthcoming
  • Sources:

Haversack

    Description:

    The haversack will be made of natural linen, rather than white cotton canvas with a webbed strap, and the top of the body of the haversack should rest approximately 4-inches above the elbow.

    Justification:

     Forthcoming

    Source:

Canteen

Facial hair

    Description:

    • All ranks, as well as non-military males in camp, must be clean shaven or have no more than 2 day’s growth of hair on their faces
  • Justification:
    • The British Army of the American War of Independence was under orders to shave their facial hair growth at least twice per week. Consequently, no more than 3 days growth of facial hair will be permitted.
  • Source:
    • Purchase correct shaving kit if desired from Townsend, Godwin, etc.

Swords

    Description:

    • Swords for NCOs and field musick appear to have been in storage, thus swords may only be carried for official purposes such as garrison duty or parade
    • Sejeants may carry swords for official occasions or parade dress.
    • Field Musick of the approved age may carry musician’s sword for official occasions or parade dress.
  • Justification:
    • “All the Serjeants of the regiment, and the whole grenadier company, to have swords. The Corporals and private men of the battalion companies (excepting the regiment of royal highlanders) to have no swords.” - H.M. Royal Clothing Warrant of 1768
    • “All the drummers and fifers to have a short sword with a scimitar blade.” - H.M. Royal Clothing Warrant of 1768

Knife

    Description:

    Small folding “soldier’s knife”

    Justification:

    • Forthcoming
  • Sources:

    • Godwin, Townsend

 

Blanket

Ground cloth

    Description:

    • This is not a period correct item, but in order to discourage the use of modern plastic tarps, please use one of these instead.
  • Source:
    • You can make this with cotton canvas, painted on one side with 2 coats of black exterior latex house paint

    • Forage cap
      Description      :

       This is the red “elf hat” with 3-inch blue band and VII painted on the front of the band

      Justification:

      • Cuthbertson: "Every soldier should be provided with a red cap....made up from the remains of the old cloth." (Article XXIII)
    • Source:
      • See Sherri for pattern or to purchase

  • Eating utensils

      Description:

      • Forthcoming
    • Justification:
      • Forthcoming
    • Sources:
      • Forthcoming

  • Brown wool gaitered trousers

      Description:

      • This is an optional clothing item that all military members will be permitted, but not required, to wear during the winter months (viz. December – March), or after hours anytime the weather justifies their use.
    • Justification:
      • There are numerous accounts over several years (including 1780 – 1782) that description “brown cloth” being donated to the troops serving in North America for the purpose of constructing trousers (John Peebles’ American War, Guards Orderly Book). The cloth was typically received during the autumn months and worn during the winter months.
    • Sources:
      • Material recommendations and suppliers are TBD

  • Weaponry

    The military members will carry the following arms.

    Officers will carry an appropriate 18th Century style sword and scabbard. (Officers of Fusilier Regiments were authorized in 1768 to carry fusils, but by 1784, part of an inspection return of the 7th dated 10 June 1784 states that that the “officers not yet provided with fusils”.)

    Sergeants will be armed with a short land pattern 2nd Model Brown Bess Musket, Bayonet, black bayonet scabbard, white bayonet frog and sword frog, appropriate NCO’s sword and scabbard and 36-hole reversible-block cartridge pouch.
    Proceedings of the Board of Ordnance, W.O. 47/89, p. 697, 17th June 1777: “…Thirty-two fuzes to be issued for the additional serjeants and those of the old number of the 7th Regiment of Foot instead of halberds.”

    Corporals and Privates will be armed with a short land version Brown Bess Musket, Bayonet, black bayonet scabbard, white bayonet frog and white shoulder sling, and 36-hole reversible-block cartridge pouch. Privates will carry no other edged weapons, tomahawks, Bowie knives, knives, swords, etc. Enlisted members of the 2nd Company will carry no other firearm.

     

    Musket

    Bayonet Frog and carriage

    Belt Plate for bayonet carriage

      Description:

      • A 1-7/8” x 2-7/8” brass belt plate with a script “RF” engraved on it will be used for the bayonet carriage.
    • Justification:
      • One like this was unearthed in New York City where the grenadier and light infantry companies of the regiment were routinely quartered.
    • Source:

    Cartridge Pouch

     

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