33rd Regiment of Foot

New Member's Clothing and Equipment List

 

On this list you will see similar items available from a number of sources. You are welcome to mix and match, depending what is most convenient to you. Although Henry Cooke is mentioned often as a recommended source, since this was originally wrtitten (2008) a number of competent people have begun offering custom clothing. Please check for current sources.

 

Hat

On your hat you have three choices.

 

You may purchase a complete hat from Radford. The price of this is variable, depending on the price of the hat blank and materials.

 

If you already own a hat, it may be possible to re-work it and bring it into conformance with 33rd standards.

 

You may purchase a hat from an approved vendor. Vendors come and go, check before buying for the latest information.

 

 

Binding           1 1/4 inch Wool Braid 54 inches

Lacing            Black 1/4 inch mohair 44 inches                              

White 1/4 inch mohair 10 inches                              

http://www.najecki.com/repro/Lace.html

 

Hat Cord         White linen                                                    

Lining             6 oz. Grey linen                                             

Cockade         Black Horsehair                                                                                

33 button         Large                         

Radford

 

Neckstock

The Neckstock is based on Cuthbertson's description, and a Woodbridge illustration. It has a black horsehair front, black linen lining, two layers of buckram, and black leather tabs for the clasps.              

Radford

 

Neckstock clasps

Godwin #86   

Godwin British Enlisted Man's Neck Stock Buckle, Brass [#NSB86]

 

Najecki "Neck Stock Clasp Set"                                         

http://www.najecki.com/repro/MiscBrass.html       

           

Wig

A soldier's hair is relatively short on the top and sides, and long enough to fold three times into a military "Club". You may choose to grow your own hair long enough to do this. To tie the club we use an 18 inch length of 3/4 inch black wool tape (Najecki). If, like most, you need to keep your hair short you must wear a wig to simulate a soldier's hair.

Check for current wig sources.

Watch Cloak

Lord Cornwallis bought enough yardage of "coarse twilled kersey" for every soldier in the 33rd to have a cloak.

Our watch cloak pattern is #RH817 - 18th century Men's Cloak from the Reconstructing History web site. It takes 3 1/2 yards of dark blue kersey. Our previous vendor of kersey no longer carries it. We are looking for more.

 

Regimental Coat

You have several options. You may have Henry Cooke make your coat. You may have Henry Cooke make a kit for your coat, and either make it yourself or have it made by someone you trust. The kit will need adjusting to properly fit you. The proper fit and hand finishing details are critical!

 

Coat buttons    x 38     (large 33)

Loops              x 42                                                                

Radford

                                                                                               

No matter where you get your coat, the buttons and lace are purchased directly from Radford. If you get a coat or kit from Henry Cooke or another vendor, you should remind the vendor that the price should not include the buttons and lace.

 

Waistcoat

You have several options. You may have Henry Cooke make your waistcoat. You may have Henry Cooke make a kit for your waistcoat, and either make it yourself or have it made by someone you trust. The kit will need adjusting to properly fit you. The proper fit and hand finishing details are critical!

 

Waistcoat buttons       10 to 12 (small 33)                                                    

Radford

 

If you get a waistcoat or kit from Henry Cooke, you should remind him that the price should not include the buttons.

 

Shirts

You may use any commercial source for shirts. Some of our own members make shirts for sale. Try them first! The shirts must be of white linen. Your first shirt should be ruffled. When not under arms, you may wear your coat with the top two hooks open, your waistcoat with the top four buttons open, and your ruffles pulled out. You may carry up to a maximum of four shirts.  Three of them must be "bosomed" which is to say they should have a linen ruffle at the neck. One of them may be a plain un-ruffled "ammunition" shirt. If you order a ruffled shirt, please ask for it to have a neck ruffle only.

 

Commercial linen shirt sources:

Smoke and Fire shirts

http://www.just2tailors.com/?category=Men~s_Clothing

 

You are also welcome to make your own shirts. The recommended pattern is from Kannik's Corner. One note - the collar must be reduced in height from the pattern to a finished height of 4 inches.

http://www.kannikskorner.com/patmen.htm

 

White linen for your shirt is available from a number of sources. Roy Najecki sells it, but nearly any good fabric store should have suitable white linen.

 

Sleeve links

Most 18th C. men's shirts used sleeve links or cufflinks. William Booth, Draper, sells them, or you can make your own.

http://wmboothdraper.com/  (click on the "buttons" link)

 

Trowsers

Trowsers are made from 11 oz. hemp canvas. We are developing a pattern based on an original pair. Until another vendor starts offering the new pattern of trowser, you must get yours from Radford. The proper fit and hand finishing details are critical!

 

Wool Breeches

You have several options. You may have Henry Cooke make your wool breeches. You may have Henry Cooke make a kit for your wool breeches, and either make it yourself or have it made by someone you trust. The kit will need adjusting to properly fit you. The proper fit and hand finishing details are critical!

Breeches buttons        (small 33)                                                                  

Radford

 

If you get breeches or a kit from Henry Cooke, you should remind him that the price should not include the buttons.

 

Linen Breeches       

You have several options. You may have Henry Cooke make your linen breeches. You may have Henry Cooke make a kit for your linen breeches, and either make it yourself or have it made by someone you trust. The kit will need adjusting to properly fit you. The proper fit and hand finishing details are critical!

 

Henry Cooke kits include the correct breeches buttons. (Fugawee 127)

 

A Point of Philosophy Regarding the Different Use of Buttons on Breeches and Trowsers.

 

The wool breeches are an item of annual issue. Many deserter descriptions note regimental buttons on them. Linen breeches and trowsers are "in country" manufactured items. They were not "issued" and therefore have plain, un-marked buttons.


Stockings


When wearing Trowsers you may wear any kind of natural fiber stockings you prefer. Please note that ankle and calf high stockings leave a visible line on properly fitted Trowsers. Breeches must be worn with natural white wool 18th Century Common Heel Stockings that are thigh high. Knee high will not suffice; there should be no skin visible at the kneeband. White cotton "thread" stockings may be worn for off duty or social occasions.


South Union Mills

Hand Knit Stockings

 

Gaiters

The 1768 Warrant three piece Gaiter will be of limited use. Your first gaiters should be black painted linen Short Gaiters, and/or wool Full Gaiters. The Gaiter pattern is available from Radford. The pattern includes both Full and Short Gaiters. The linen canvas and buttons are available from Radford.

 

Shoes.

Straight last shoes are more correct. Left and Right ("crooked") shoes may be more practical - you may wear either. Shoes may have heel irons or hobnails on the heel only. Shoes with smooth soles are a must for social events - no hobnails on wooden floors! That goes for ship decking as well. Shoes must be ordered in a roughout finish - then polished!


Top choice for shoes: any vendor who offers correctly hand made shoes.


Good source for shoes:  


Najecki

http://www.najecki.com/repro/Shoes.html

Jarnigan

http://www.jarnaginco.com/revwarframe.html

 

Entry level source for Shoes:        

Godwin

            Godwin Army Shoes

Fugawee

            http://www.fugawee.com/Men's%20Colonial.htm

 

Shoe buckles

Shoe buckles were not an issue item. A soldier might very well still have on the buckles he was wearing on the shoes he enlisted in. Plain brass buckles with rounded corners are a "common" type. You can get fancier ones if you like, but you'd better have a good story for them! Also, depending on where you get your shoes, you may need different size buckles to fit the straps. There is no "one size fits all" buckle. When you order your shoes, find out what size straps they have. Ask for advice what buckle will fit.

 

Godwin

            Godwin shoe buckles

Smiling Fox Forge

            http://www.smilingfoxforgellc.com/shoe_buc.asp?Category=Shoe%20Buckles

Fugawee

            http://www.fugawee.com/Buckles_4.htm

 

Musket

The Pedersoli "S.260  Brown-Bess Flintlock model" Short Land Musket is the "industry standard" firelock. Although it is not a perfect reproduction, it is a solid, reliable product.

FR 0810 Pedersoli 2nd Model Brown Bess Musket

Brown Bess Musket #2N

Keep an eye on Ackermann Arms. They often list good used Short Land Pattern Muskets for sale.

Ackermann Arms

 

You are welcome to have a custom made reproduction. Prepare to wait.

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/

 

The Indian made muskets come and go. They may seem like a bargain compared to the Pedersoli, but you get what you pay for.

 

To complete setting up your musket, you will need:

Tail back Hammerstall - from Radford.

Flash Guard (the Godwin musket comes with a flashguard)

Sling Swivels: Swivel-46-W-X and Swivel-46-N-X from

            Track of the Wolf

Flints

Wooden flint

Leads (to hold the flint - don't use leather)

A worm - threaded to fit YOUR ramrod

A triangle bladed screwdriver

            http://www.najecki.com/repro/Musket.html

            Godwin- Tompions, Flashguards & Hammer Stalls

http://www.smilingfoxforgellc.com/guns.asp

Avalon Forge/

 

On these web sites you will see a number of firearm accessories. Resist buying every gadget until you find out what you really need. A worm, a screwdriver, and some tow or rags is all you need to clean your musket. A small oil bottle is useful. Cleaning pumps, adapters, brushes, mainspring vise are not going to be useful to you in the field. They can come in handy for maintenance at home.

 

Bayonet and scabbard

Try to purchase a bayonet with a scabbard. It can be tricky getting a scabbard to fit your bayonet if it didn't come with one. If you get a bayonet from Cabelas or Dixie Gun Works, it won't come with a scabbard.

 

Godwin

Scabbard #27T for the Brown Bess Bayonet [#27T]

 

Cartridge pouch

We use the 36 hole reversible block pouch, sometimes described as the "Rawle" patent pouch after a photo caption in the Collector's Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. The flap should be rounded, not "shield shaped". New pouches should be ordered with the rough out flap. Older smooth out flaps may continue to be used. We use a small 33 button to close the flap. If you are ordering a pouch you may have them omit the leather button.


Some on-line sources are:


Jim Keller

Revolutionary War 36 shot "flip-over" Ammo Pouch (Rawl's Pouch)

Jarnigan

Look for the #200RW British 1777 Cartridge Box under "Leather Accoutrements".

Godwin

William Rawle Cartridge Box, Patent of 1777 - 36 Rounds [#128WR]


Cartridge Box

We also carry a tin canister for additional ammunition.

 

Avalon Forge sells one that is already Japanned.

Avalon Forge/

 

Cartridge Box Sling

The sling is made of buff leather, with a brass Godwin #65 buckle. From Radford.

 

Waist Belt Plate

Not for sale. These are owned by the 33rd Regiment of Foot, Inc. They are part of the Regimental Regalia. They are issued by serial number, but remain property of the 33rd and must be returned if the member leaves the 33rd for any reason.

 

Bayonet Belt with frog

A buff leather bayonet belt and frog based on originals. These come from Radford. The belt comes with no hole punched for the waistbelt plate so it can be fitted to you.

 

Note: Bayonet Belts, and Cartridge Pouch/Box Slings can also be had in kit form. If you have leather working skills you will get them faster if you order them as a kit.

 

Haversack

The haversack comes as a kit or in finished form from Roy Najecki. Order it as a kit. It is very simple to put together, even if you have modest sewing skills. The haversack was intended to carry rations. Most reenactors also keep their eating utensils in it. Although it is more than likely that a mess just sat around and ate from the kettle, having your own plate or bowl is polite by modern standards. The following items are available from a number of dealers; Godwin, Townsend, Jarnagin, Avalon Forge, Smiling Fox Forge, and others.

 

            Tin cup - get a 1 pint cup.

            Wood bowl - small enough to fit in your haversack

            Spoon (horn or pewter)

            Plate - tin is lighter than pewter

            Various small pouches for dry foods. Cheap to make yourself.

            Handkerchief - make this, too.

 

Canteen

We use the British kidney shaped tin canteen made from hot dipped tin:

Hot Dip Tin

            Fort Ligonier Kidney Canteen

 

Carl Giordano (Kidney-shaped (36 oz. capacity)

            Kidney shaped Canteen (select "Hot Dipped Tin"

 

Some vendors include a hemp or cotton rope sling. Hemp is OK. Cotton is not. We replace the cotton with white linen rope.

They don't list rope on their web site. You will need to contact them.

 

Knapsack

Our knapsack is based on two originals. Please see our Knapsack article. It is not available commercially. Kits are available from Radford. Thus far we have made up goatskin covered Knapsacks, but painted Knapsacks are acceptable.

 

A Point of Philosophy Regarding the Concurrent Use of Both Painted and Goatskin Knapsacks.

 

Knapsacks were not an item of annual issue. They were expected to serve for six years. There were shortages of goatskin during the AWI. There is also evidence of Knapsacks being made up locally. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect to see Knapsacks of different vintages (i.e. both painted and goatskin) in service at the same time.

 

Eyewear

By far the preference is for no visible eyewear. Eyeglasses were something of a luxury for the common people. If you need vision correction and cannot wear contacts, you will need 18th Century style frames. These are offered by;

 

James Townsend

1740-1800 Reproduction Glasses Frames GL-791 

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