The Uniform
14 August 2008
Over the years since we were first organized, new research done by Jim Kochan as well as our own has proven that some of our original kit was flawed and has needed to be changed. As research is always ongoing, this was always possible and since it is our goal to be as correct as possible, it is also inevitable. With that in mind, we are slowly making these changes with some of the membership wearing older kit until they can have it replaced.
Below you will find a description of the Royal Marine (RM) kit and where some resources can be gotten. Through the uniform section you will find pictures showing some of the details. The RM interpretation will consist of:
Round Hat - Most pictures show what looks like a coachman's hat of the early 19th century. The correct type is a round hat which is about 61” tall and perfectly round from top to bottom. The brim is about 21” wide. The binding around the brim is 1” black wool tape folded over so there is 1” on each side. The band at the base is 1” wide white wool. A black leather cockade is placed on the left side and the top of the small button in the centre of the cockade is level with the top of the hat allowing the cockade to extend above the hat. The wool tuft (white over red) is made by the unit or can be bought from Discriminating General at $19.50 (US). A leather slide inside the hat allows you to remove both the tuft and the cockade. Please contact for the source for the hat.
We will still use the theatrical felt hat that I had originally used as it closely resembles the shape that is displayed in Charles Hamilton Smith's drawing of a Marine as well as other period paintings. However, the plan is to phase it out completely and use it solely for recruits until such time they can purchase the correct hat.
Jacket - The coat will be of the same madder red used by the Army with royal blue cuffs and collar; regimental lace is white with a blue and red line close to each other on one side. Recent research by Jim Kochan has proven that unlike the Army, Royal Marine jackets have only 8 loops of lace down the front, set in pairs.
A correct regimental uniform pattern can be purchased from Past Patterns. The pattern, #040-Napoleonic Era British Army Jacket researched by James Kochan and developed by Past Patterns, can be purchased from Past Patterns and their approved vendors. Please see the following address: http://www.pastpatterns.com/040.html.
Correct British Army wool made in Yorkshire, England by Kochan & Phillips Historic Textiles, according to standards and colours of the late 18th century, is now available and can be purchased from several sources as noted in the Past Patterns address. To see an example of this wool please refer to the following site: http://www.najecki.com/repro/Wool.html). You will want to purchase the Soldiers Dark Madder Red Broadcloth.
The pattern calls for up to 2 yards of madder and at least 1/3 yard of blue. You also need 12 yards of regimental lace that can be purchased from the unit. The coat requires 12 small and 18 large buttons that can also be obtained from the unit. The large are $.60; the small are $.55 each and are taken off of original buttons.
The wool, lace, buttons and pattern may also be purchased directly from Jim Kochan. He does not have a website and may be contacted at the following address:
James
Kochan
PO
Box
3970
Frederick,
MD
21705
For close-up images of a finished coat, please see the following:
Front of Coat Back of Coat Pocket detail
Trousers - For service in North America and the Indies, which we will portray, trousers were made of Russian Sheeting and /or white, cotton duck. On board ship off duty, navy slops were probably worn. In colder climates, the RM would have worn blue woolen trousers; for dress, white woolen breeches with knee high gaiters. Trousers should be high waisted coming up over your navel (as the coatee only comes down to the waistline) and by this period, the center button of the fly is being eliminated. The coat should overlap the trousers by 2-3 inches and suspenders should be used. (By the early 1800s, cotton was being more widely used chiefly due to power looms. In fact, many weavers who were put out of work found themselves seeking employment in the military.) A more correct period pattern for trousers is "Man's Trousers High-Waisted: 1790-1810" which can be found at http://www.kannikskorner.com/patmen2.htm.
Shirts - Recommend 1 white shirt of linen and at least one of checked blue material. Another shirt correct for our period is grey flannel with white linen cuffs and collar. A correct pattern for a period shirt is "Man's Shirt: 1790-1830" found at http://www.kannikskorner.com/patmen2.htm.
Gaiters - Most gaiters that I've seen are either dark gray or black and made of wool or canvas. Pictures of British Army uniforms show gray trousers, dark gray gaiters and black shoes. The RM used black gaiters and one drawing suggests that they were laced instead of buttoned. Most drawings show the Royal Marines wearing knee high gaiters. For our purposes, we’ll go with the shorter pattern, which cover up to mid-calf. We also use 8-10 black horn buttons versus pewter.
Shoes - The proper shoe is termed a 'bootee' and is more similar to American Civil War broghans than RevWar shoes. We will go with either but if using RevWar shoes, they should be laced instead of buckled. I spoke with Robert Land, who makes Civil War Shoes, and he said there is no correct pattern for our period. He makes an excellent high-top broghan which are as close as we can get for a correct shoe. (Looking at pictures of Napoleonic re-enactors and having been to other 1812 events, I see some shoes which are obviously modern. Since gaiters hide them, they believe the public can't see them.)
NeckStock/Cravat - The proper neckstock is LEATHER which can be gotten from Discriminating General. (Why do you think they call the US Marines, "Leather-necks"?) It was used to keep the head straight and prevented you from looking around. However, some drawings show a black cravat that would go along with the looser dress code used on campaign. We will use silk or linen cravats for the seasoned veteran look.
Cartridge Boxes – We started using boxes that were made in England for the HMS and are probably an early war pattern (1802?). (The HMS portrays RM from the Trafalgar Period.) For our period, especially for landing parties, we should have a bigger box and we will be using the standard 60 round box. This can be purchased from Past Reflections in Ontario for $80 (CAN) and contains the correct tin inserts. The RM, along with the Guards, were the only units to have a cartridge box plate. I found a source in England for these plates and have purchased some which are now available from the unit.
Crossbelts/Plates - The cross belt plate is, of course, unique to the Marines. The design that we will be using is an oval badge with a raised fouled anchor. Discriminating General also has an oval plate with an engraved fouled anchor topped by a crown. This would be more correct for a Royal naval impression but acceptable. The HMS uses a rectangular plate with engraving.
(The belt does disassemble and there is a holder below the badge and behind the belt to hold the tongue of the belt. This allows the cartridge box belt to be locked behind the plate. The holder has a tongue with a button hole which attaches to the left rear vent button of the coat. This makes sure of the correct length and height of the belt/scabbard.)
Bayonet Scabbard - If you intend to use a Second Pattern Bess, you can purchase a Napoleonic scabbard from G. Gedney Godwin which costs about $27. If you plan to purchase an India Pattern Bess, please see the notation in the section below.
Musket - The 2nd Pattern Brown Bess is acceptable for this period as well as the India Pattern. If you decide to purchase a new India Pattern, we recommend purchasing from Loyalist Arms, Nova Scotia, which offers an reasonable India pattern for $512. (You should also purchase the bayonet and scabbard that Loyalist Arms offers for an additional cost. Go to their website (http://www.loyalistarms.freeservers.com/mainpage.html - Check under popular Muskets & Rifles.)
For those who can afford, you can also order an India pattern from The Rifle Shoppe (TRS) in Jones, Oklahoma. However please note that TRS does take a long time in delivering as stated on their website.
It seems that the Sea-Service musket was Japanned/blackened and used wooden ramrods so they wouldn't rust in the holders. Since a wooden ship is very damp, it makes sense. Barrels of some of the regular Army were also browned (or blackened? - mine usually looks like that until the day before an event). We do not quibble over the browning of barrels which is up to the owner.
Naval records do not refer to canteens and haversacks, as these were items normally supplied by the Ordnance Board. Furthermore, one would think, since the marines normally spent most of their time onboard ship (guarding officers, ammunition, food and water - not necessarily in that order) there would be no need for them. The Battalion Marines were probably issued them before leaving England and as we will be portraying a section of a company of the 2nd battalion, they will be needed.
Haversack – We have gotten a pattern from the 21st (Royal North British Fusiliers) which came from the Fusiliers museum in Scotland. It is to be made of off-white canvas/canvas duck.
Canteen - There is a company in Canada called ‘Five Rivers Chapmanry’ that is reproducing British Army canteens that are of excellent quality. Go to their website to get an online view of the canteen. See: http://www.5rivers.org/. However, I have heard that they are no longer offering the canteen and we are searching for another source.
Blanket - Landing parties did not carry tents and erected what was called a gypsy tent or found whatever shelter was available. The Peninsular Army slept mostly in the open or in billets; they didn’t get tents until 1813. To complete our RM impression will require a white blanket. (A gypsy tent is sometimes defined as sticking your ramrod into the ground and draping your blanket over it.)
In reality, tents were created by connecting two blankets together, using buttons/holes sewn into the blanket. Muskets were used as the tent poles. Loops on the corners of the blankets went around the barrels and also were used to stake to the ground using bayonets. The tent was shared by four soldiers thus giving the 4 bayonets needed for the corners.
The above will constitute the basic uniform and kit and required to participate with us in the field. Again special thanks are given to Mr. James Kochan for the many details that he has researched and provided regarding the Royal Marine uniform. Below you will find additional items that are “like to see” and should be added only after acquiring the basic kit.
Greatcoats – We have received a reliable pattern for greatcoats. A reference in “Britain’s Sea Soldiers” describes that in Aug 1813, the Admiralty made an inquiry into why the RM greatcoats were drab instead of a mixed colour like the army. Drab is defined as a medium grayish-brown and after comparing colours, have chosen Tuscaloosa Grey, code number 5100-906 from Woolrich as most representative of drab. You will need about four and a half yards for a greatcoat.
Fatigue Cap - From paintings the correct fatigue cap is in the shape of a half-moon tea cosey, somewhat resembling a Glengarry, dark blue with red trim.
Blue Woolen Trousers - Our dress/winter uniform.
Fatigue Jacket - It seems that the RM had several versions of the fatigue jacket: a red woolen one with blue collar and cuff for colder climes and a white one of lighter wool with blue collar for warmer regions. The Royal Marine Artillery (RMA) adopted a blue woolen jacket with red facings to wear while attending to its guns and rockets. (See RMA below.)
Knapsack - We have a pattern of the envelope pack that was in use in the early 1800's. One of our members is making knapsacks upon request for unit members.
Pallaisse - This is a canvas or ticking sack that is stuffed with straw to provide bedding for sleeping. Since we normally don't use tents and use whatever shelter is available, the need for something somewhat soft to sleep on is understandable especially on a hard floor.
Below you will find additional items that are we use to add to the overall impression and working of the group.
Hunting Horns - There is a reference that while the British were conducting raids in the Chesapeake region, Cockburn instructed the RM to carry horns. This enabled one person to alert the entire party of trouble and bring assistance to the sound of the horn. As I cannot see every marine carrying a bugle, I took this to mean small hunting horns that could fit into the haversack and not require the user to be a musician. If anyone knows of a source for or knows a fox that has heard one, let me know and we’ll explore this further. (Though I have no precedent for this, the 1st Airborne used the same thing in WWII for pulling the unit together after a jump.)
Tin Pots - We have also contracted a tinsmith to make tin ‘kettles’ for us. The Peninsular Army switched from heavy iron kettles to tin ones to be carried by the men. This allowed the company mules/wagons to carry tents instead. Using drawings and pictures, the tinsmith proposed a 3-4 inch high pot around 12” across, wider at the top. We have already purchased three. The prototype was a little large but the 2 subsequent pans were excellent. We will eventually get several more so that when we go to the field we have enough pots instead of forcing one person to carry heavy iron cooking gear.
Royal Marine Artillery
Royal Marines were trained in the use of artillery. Aboard ship during combat, those Marines not assigned to guard details or sharp-shooting duties worked the great guns alongside the sailors. Marines also handled the guns aboard the bomb vessels and rocket ship used to bombard Ft. McHenry. While exercising the guns, the RMA were allowed to wear a blue fatigue jacket with red collar and cuffs along with grey trousers. This was done to hide the smoke and grime especially from the rockets. While not on the guns, the uniform is the same as our own.
Two of our members own Artillery pieces and occasionally we get to play artillery under their command with each member trained at any of the positions on the gun.
Here is a picture of what a Royal Marine Artillerist would look like in his blue fatigue coat.
Naval Landing Party - Able Bodied SeamanWe have discontinued the Naval Landing Party Impression. It was originally in place to help get recruits into the field. However, with the creation of a fellow re-enactment unit, HMS Dragon, http://www.hmssquirrel.org/sitemap.html, also portraying a Royal Navy Landing Party, we find it to be no longer necessary. New recruits will be able to borrow some equipment until they can get their impression together.
The following are sources for bits and pieces of 1812 kit and is by no means complete. We are still attempting to put together a comprehensive list:
Wool:Kochan & Phillips Historic Textiles
Jim Kochan
PO Box 3970
Frederick, MD 21705
Roy Najecki Reproductions
http://www.najecki.com/repro/Wool.html
White and off-white canvas duck can be purchased at Wal-Mart.
Lace, Buttons and Coat Pattern: James Kochan
Past Patterns
http://www.pastpatterns.com/
Robert Land
5 Columbia Drive, #139
Niagara Falls, NY 14305519.836.0747
Robert Land shoes can also be purchased at the following:
S.G. Marinos Co.India Pattern Musket:
890 Baltimore Pike
P.O. Box 3192
Gettysburg, PA 17325-3192717.334.9376
60 Round cartridge BoxLoyalist Arms and Repairs
1137 Old Sambro Rd.
Harrietsfield, Nova Scotia B3V 1B1 Canada
http://www.loyalistarms.freesavers.com/mainpage.html
Past Reflections
18 Great Oak Court
Brampton, Ontario L6S 2J9 Canada
http://ca.geocities.com/past-reflections@rogers.com/Home-Page.html905.792.2770
The above company carries an assortment of early 19th century clothing. In addition, the following carry some early 19th century clothing and patterns.
Godwin is moving away from British equipment for War of 1812 but sells an excellent British Army bayonet scabbard.
G. Gedney Godwin
PO Box 100
Valley Forge, PA 19481
http://www.gggodwin.com/
The Discriminating General
1121 Jean Park Rd.
Manotick, Ontario K4M 1E4 Canada
http://www.militaryheritage.com/
Jas. Townsend & Son, Inc.
133 N. First Street
PO Box 415
Pierceton, IN 46562
http://www.jastown.com/800.338.1665
C&D Jarnagin Co.
PO Box 1860
Corinth, MS 38834
http://www.jarnaginco.com/601.287.4977
The Rifle Shop
18420 East Hefner Road
Jones, OK 73049405.396.2583