"Hatt" Companies of the British and Loyalist Regiments of the American Revolutionary War 1773-1883By Lou Coroso
REDCOAT 1776 (120mm) from United Empire Miniatures The battalion (center) companies of each British or Loyalist Regiment were known as the “Hatt” Companies because their men wore the cocked hat. The general coloring instructions for all of the Regiments are as follows with the specifics for each Regiment as shown on the chart below . Coat The coat for the line soldier was red. Those of Sergeants and Officers were scarlet in color. Collars, lapels and cuffs were in the facing color as shown on the chart. White turn-backs for all regiments. Buttons were silver for all regiments. Each buttonhole was trimmed in Regimental Lace as shown on the chart. Those with more than one color stripe have the colors shown in descending order from the top of the lace to the bottom. Each buttonhole was trimmed in three sections of lace. Two lengths were parallel away from the button and the third strip formed the horizontal end of the box (as shown blow). Stripes were centered in each strip of lace. Lace pattern
Hat Hats were black with white tape binding (where officers' metalics were silver) or yellow (where officer's metalics were gold). The hat had a black cockade over the left eye. Vest and Breeches White with silver buttons for all regiments except as shown on the chart. Stockings The stockings were white. Cloth Gaiters and Shoes Black shoes with black cloth gaiters. Gaiters had silver buttons. Equipment White leather cross-belts with a silver buckle. (except as shown on chart). On right hip, black polished leather ammunition box (usually adorned with a brass regimental number inside a circle surmounted by the King's Crown. All this was outlined in red.).On the left hip, a silver bayonet in a polished black leather scabbard with a brass tip. Canteen and strap were usually red brown. Musket (Brown Bess) had natural wood parts with silver (Non-blued) metal parts with brass butt plate, trigger guard, ramrod holders and end stock cap. The sling was white with a silver buckle. Hair Soldiers wore their hair pulled back and tied with a black ribbon. The hair was not powered on normal field duty. Modification The figure may be modified to represent a Corporal by adding a white or yellow (depending on Officers' Metalics) fringed epaulet on the right shoulder in place of the plain shoulder strap. This can be made by adding simple thin fringe to the existing shoulder strap. Chart of Regimental differences
The following references may be consulted for more information. -Lefferts, Uniforms of the Armies in the War of the American Revolution -Simes, Military Guide for Young Officers, 1778 -Ward, The War of the Revolution, Vols. 1 & 2 |