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jeff42nd
Pathfinder
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 02 2004
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SgtMunro
Soldier of the King
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
September 23 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - March 24 2006 : 04:30:03 AM
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Dear Pte. McCracken, what you see in that print is a sleeved weskit, and not an actual 'Light Infantry Pattern' coat. The story behind that particular anachronism is an interesting one to say the least. First, I will start with the facts, and then move on to the fiction.
Military weskits, of the period, did not have sleeves. Starting sometime in 1759, with the birth of regular Light Infantry Companies in the British Army, orders were given to remove the sleeves from their regimental coats and sew them to the weskit. This created a lighter, and more practical fighting garment, for the North American theater of operations. The actual garment would resemble a lighter (no lining, or horsehair), shorter and more spartan-looking (no lace, but the colored turn-backs on the cuffs were retained) 'regimental' coat. There is documentation found in Stewart's and Moneypenny's orderly books, as well as accounts from the Havana Expedition of 1762, which describe the coats worn by the Light Companies of the 42nd, 77th, 60th, 55th, etc.
An excellent source, which has excerpts from the above documents, is Osprey's British Light Infantryman 1758-1765. This book is authored by LTC Ian McCulloch, who also is bringing forth his Magnum Opus, Sons of the Mountains, next month.
Now, on to the 'fiction', to wit: the weskits in Griffing's print. That particular design of weskit was 'concept' coat by the founding members of Robertson's Company of the re-created 77th Regiment of Foote. It was a way of minimizing uniform costs, but increasing flexibility for impressions (Being able to portray both a Battalion and Light Company, with greater ease). When worn under the regimental, it appears as any sleeveless weskit would; but, when worn alone, it gives enough of a proper impression of the actual 'Light-Mod' weskit. Those of us in Graham's Company of the 42nd, use the same cost-cutting measure, since we only portray a Light Company at the Bushy Run Reenactment, and remain as a Hat Company during the rest of the season.
I hope that this helps answer some of your questions.
I Remain,
Your Most Humble Servant,
The Sarge |
Serjeant-Major Duncan Munro
Capt. Thos. Graham's Coy.
42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foote
(The Black Sheep of the Black Watch)
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
-Or-
"Recruit locally, fight globally." |
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Fitzhugh Williams
Mohicanland Statesman
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2005
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Posted - March 24 2006 : 11:41:07 AM
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| One must be careful of paintings. In looking at the web site I see a painting by J. A. Cooper of a Marine and very prominently featured is a tin canteen. The only documentation I have seen of any tin canteen, or any other canteen for that matter, in use by the French is in the 1780-1790 Royal Deuxponts, and it is the petit bidon and is quite different from the one pictured. Also, the Marine seems to have anchors on his turn-backs, and there is only one documented report of them existing, even though they are VERY common amoung the reenacting community. I believe this painting was based on a reenactor rather than an original. |
"Les deux pieds contre la muraille et la tete sous le robinet" |
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jeff42nd
Pathfinder
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
February 02 2004
Status: offline
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Posted - March 25 2006 : 6:53:39 PM
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Thanks Sarge
I know that one must be careful with picture, but I knew that the highlanders wore a light infantry jacket.
The pattern I should use is: http://www.jpryan.com/waistcoa.htm
According to your discription then it would be the middle jacket with sleeves.
Would that jacket be the best choice for this jacket I want?
Thanks
Pvt McCracken
Jeff |
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Highland Light Infantry Jacket Pattern
