Highland unit uniforms

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I am interested in some reenacting and two impressions I have considered doing are a highlander in one of the highland units in both the French and Indian war in America and the American revolution.

I need info on jackets worn and other accouterments. Illustrated info is better but I can work from text if it's descriptive enough.

I am also interested in a Napoleonic era impression but I found several sources of information that helped me understand that better on my own.

My interest in creating these impressions is based on film connections I have with companies that recruit extras for tv and film projects in the US. I assume that a highlander with the 42nd would be most in demand but if I can get another length of tartan and plausibly portray another unit I am interested in that as well.

First of all, I have encountered various opinions as to whether or not the 42nd wore the government sett from the beginning with some sources indicating a red tartan or one with red and white in it. Any comment?

[ozarkjacobite]

As far as I know the 42nd regiment wore the Govt. sett during both the 7 Years War & the American Revolution. However, there was also the 78th regiment (Fraser Highlanders) which I have read wore the Govt. sett & also a variation of the Fraser Old sett during the French & Indian War. It wouldn't hurt to check out some of the websites of living history groups that portray the time period(s) that you want to do. Believe me, as a former living historian myself, these guys are a fountain of info & usually have links to their various approved vendors.

Zach Caselman

[Biathlonman]

The 78th Fraser Highlanders are recreated today - with chapters in a few Canadian cities. They have a website with photos. The 78th wasn't around by the Revolution. Their big day on the battlefield was at Quebec, in 1759.

As for the 42nd - I believe wore the tartan they have still - the "government" tartan - but I think many ended up in breeches as the kilts wore out and were not replaced.

A "normal" re-enactment uniform from the period runs about $1000 for uniform and $1000 for a Brown Bess. Add a kilt to that - and no worsted wool mind you - the kilts then were hairy like a blanket and well over 20 oz and this will cost you. "Battle weight" means heavy. You need not go that route. Re-enactors are dedicated but of course far older than the real soldiers whose roles they recreate. Young men haven't the time or money for this hobby, usually.

Some people have said my views haven't credibility - but I've seen the Black Watch's tartan from the period in their museum in Perth, Scotland. No question about what it looks like. Good luck.

[figheadair]

The 78th Fraser Highlanders are recreated today - with chapters in a few Canadian cities. They have a website with photos. The 78th wasn't around by the Revolution. Their big day on the battlefield was at Quebec, in 1759.

That of course was the first time that they were raised. Due to renumbering of the Line Regiments the regiment was re-raised in 1775 as the 71st Fraser's Highlanders and at roughly the same time (1778) the 78th number was allocated to the Ross-shire Regiment. They in turn were renumbered as the 72nd and a third 78th raised in 1793. The 72nd and 78th amalgamated in 1881 as the Seaforth Highlanders.

As for the 42nd - I believe wore the tartan they have still - the "government" tartan - but I think many ended up in breeches as the kilts wore out and were not replaced.

Agreed.

Add a kilt to that - and no worsted wool mind you - the kilts then were hairy like a blanket and well over 20 oz and this will cost you. "Battle weight" means heavy. You need not go that route.

All tartan at that period was worsted. I've examined literally dozens of pieces of pre-1800 tartan; none is hairy and whilst some pieces were heavier that others this was a feature of a thicker yarn less densely woven.

Some people have said my views haven't credibility - but I've seen the Black Watch's tartan from the period in their museum in Perth, Scotland. No question about what it looks like. Good luck.

I beg to differ. The oldest piece of tartan that the museum owns is in a Crimean era kilt made from Wilsons' cloth. Indeed, there is no surviving piece of 42nd cloth pre-c1800.

[figheadair]

As far as I know the 42nd regiment wore the Govt. sett during both the 7 Years War & the American Revolution. However, there was also the 78th regiment (Fraser Highlanders) which I have read wore the Govt. sett & also a variation of the Fraser Old sett during the French & Indian War. It wouldn't hurt to check out some of the websites of living history groups that portray the time period(s) that you want to do. Believe me, as a former living historian myself, these guys are a fountain of info & usually have links to their various approved vendors.

Zach Caselman

There is a great deal of controversy over what was worn by the original 78th and the fact is, we just don’t know. The traditional dye used for red in tartan, cochineal, was a very expensive. For that reason alone I don’t believe that the regiment would have been clothed in a red tartan and that a blue, green and black type sett, possibly the Government sett, decorated or plain was probably worn.

[ozarkjacobite]

Yep, Loyalist Arms is what I meant, lol.

[Woodsheal]

Talk to these guys, who do both periods;

http://musketsofthecrown.homestead.com/Home.html

Or contact "Malcolm MacWilliam" a member here (and a member of that unit)....

[Sir William]

There is a great deal of controversy over what was worn by the original 78th and the fact is, we just don’t know. The traditional dye used for red in tartan, cochineal, was a very expensive. For that reason alone I don’t believe that the regiment would have been clothed in a red tartan and that a blue, green and black type sett, possibly the Government sett, decorated or plain was probably worn.

I've been following this topic for years and agree that the 78th probably wore either the government sett or something similar to it. Plus, figheadair has probably forgotten more about tartan than I will ever know so I bow to his greater knowledge on the subject.

I was once a member of the 78th in California and we wore the Fraser tartan in ancient colors (the general belief being the Fraser's would have worn the "clan" tartan and that the "ancient" colors were more correct for the 18th century - but that is another topic). I never felt this tartan was correct and always questioned it, however the unit was under the sanction of Lord Lovat and that is what he approved (or so I was told). When I left the unit I sold my plaid back to them (everyone else wore a modern kilt) as I didn't see me wearing it again, at least for reenactment purposes.

I'd like to make a new coat. Does anyone have a pattern source?

[Hothir Ethelnor]

BTW I'm a tailor, kiltmaker and I make period clothing for films so I can get cloth cheaply and make all the necessary clothing items myself.

The guns on the other hand are still pricey...

I have actually considered getting two Black Watch bankets and stitching them together to make a suitable great kilt in a heavy tartan but I would probably still go for the 18oz worsted because it takes wear and tear better.

[Biathlonman]

If you buy a repro Pedersoli musket - you can fire it safely. Fire an antique musket and you could end up dead. I do think that considering the economic circumstances, you may find one second hand that someone is trying to unload - no pun intended.

Then you have to learn the drill from the period if you're in a group.

The blanket idea is not bad - cheap at least. I did some of this though and have some 'pulls' from brambles etc in my one kilt. Not really worth it. The Black Watch kilt from the era looked exactly like blanket material as I recall.