As a follow-on to the last post on policing, my 18th century Revenue Service has been strengthened. I made this vessel out of plastic-card quite a few years ago but I was never quite happy with it. The masts and deck layout have now been improved, and it has acquired a fixed light cannon and four swivel guns. And the whole model has been repainted.
MGB
Very nice work indeed - hope to see her in action some day soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you. By the way, visited your blog, I like those buildings you have constructed for the Border Wars!
DeleteMichael
Michael, May I ask for some of your knowledge. Looking at the second picture I See some british infantry on the right. This started a discussion with a friend of mine about the transition from tricorn to bicorn and in which year the hats ceased to be bordered with lace in the british army. Or even If the hats were bordered right up to the introduction of the shako.
ReplyDeleteDo you perhaps know the official change date from tricorn to bicorn and If the bicorns were still bordered?
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers
CB
Yes, I think I can help. I will give you some background information to the changes. By 1768 the manner of cocking the blank hat was linked to a regimental style, i.e. there was no single British Army form. During the American Revolution some regiments had cocked their hats in a 'continental' style, losing much of the front pinch. Hats were also being worn at an angle to enable 'shoulder-arms to be executed without knocking the hat. In 1793 the Army approved a deeper crown for all hats to reduce the supply of small sized hats, prone to fall off. This also encouraged more regiments to drift away from old fashions. Although the 1768 Warrant was still in effect, calling for laced hats, some regiments had removed the white worsted/or linen lace by 1789. (Note, most regiments had two hats anyway, and the older hat often had its lace removed.) Many regiments by the late 1780s had also adopted different coloured plumes..... against regulations. Still, some regiments were cocking their hats in an older style, compared to others. Concerned over the adoption of non-regulation practises by colonels, new regulations were issued in 1796, when white lace was officially replaced with black worsted, and all regiments were ordered to adopt a white plume, other colours for flank companies. By 1796, all regiments would certainly be wearing bicorne hats, but some regiments had also adopted peculiarly high and quite impractical forms for formal dress, which was the main reason for the adoption of a shako in 1799. Keep in mind, in hot climates, regiments were using various types of top hat during the 1790s anyway. I think the above is a fair account. Regards, Michael (Its the old story, there is no British Army, it comprises individual regiments lol.)
DeleteThank you ever so much. This is excellent information for me.
ReplyDeleteKind regards
CB
My British FRW regiments wear the pre-1796 uniform, which allows a view of the waistcoat. And regimental plumes are much more interesting. You spotted my Marines c.1793. The 1796 changes included a coat which fastened the front lapels together, but very shortly afterwards was replaced with the Austrian style coatee, with laced bars, similar to the Napoleonic coatee except for the cut of the turnbacks.
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