Assembling Your Kit
Regulars Militia Augmentees Camp Followers
Building a historically accurate kit is both challenging and rewarding. Experience has taught that assembling an accurate kit takes time, research, and of course, money. Carefully reviewing these pages will save you all of these, as well as, frustration in the long run.
Build your kit in stages, assembling basic clothes and eating equipment is most important. We do not expect anyone to be “fully” kitted at their first event (or even by the end of their first season).
It is easy to buy a nifty looking item at sutlers row which later turns out to be functionally useless or out of period and historically inaccurate. If in doubt, ask an experienced member before purchasing an item. We typically have a buddy system of recruits and standing members for just this reason. The Regiment is fortunate to have several members which will make clothing for near the cost of materials which contributes to the uniform appearance of the Regiment as well as making it easy to secure clothes. The colors for the Regiment’s coat, waistcoat, and breeches are documented from regimental records and members are expected to assemble a uniform in accordance with the historical documents. Linen was more common in the 18th Century than cotton. Members are encouraged to purchase linen over cotton items as they buy new, or replace old clothing.
Many of the members have found making or assembling parts of the kit themselves to be very rewarding and in the long run, less expensive than buying from sutlers. Patterns are available for everything but shoes. J. P. Ryan patterns are generally considered excellent and instructions on how to make good patterns are found in Tidings from the 18th Century by Beth Gilgun. Several sets of patterns are also available at the North West Territories Alliance Tin Box Patterns and through the Brigade of the American Revolution.
Nearly all clothing, whether custom made or bought “off the rack” from a sutler, will require minor adjustments of buttons or seams. Learning basic hand sewing techniques for patching small holes and tears, as well as, attaching buttons is practically a necessity for the living historian.
All portrayals require eating utensils as follows in order of importance
Wooden or horn spoon
Tin or wood plate or bowl
Tin cup or other (i.e. leather mug)
Fork (twisted wire would be most common for soldiers/camp followers)
PLEASE NOTE: crockery was too fragile for moving army. Williamsburg pottery is pretty, but inaccurate for a military camp.
The basic and expanded kit for each impression are described below. Click on the link to jump to the descriptions. Items in bold face are more important and should be obtained first.
