"Vicotrian Era British Army Uniform Color and Equipment" Topic

First, thanks for all the advice on getting started with TSATF it was very helpful. TMP link

I am still looking to start collecting forces for the northwest frontier. In looking at figure ranges being sold, no one seems to list British troops as being for the NWF (Indian, yes). It appears to me that the red tunic and blue pants were in use in the Zulu war which is nearly contemporary with the NWF frontier fighting mentioned in TSATF. I seem many images of troops in khaki, which I thought was predominate (maybe the only) infantry uniform for the sudan battles. Can anyone give me some general pointers as to when the basic equipment and uniform changed? I can't tell if this is a simple after date X they went to khaki or if this is a more complex question. Also did all the troops stationed in the NWF wear puttees? Any pointers to good reference with good illustrations would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Rich

I have seen the imperial troops in khacki as early as 1879 on the NWF. Khacki does predominate The NWF and yes most troops wear putees except of course highlanders…..Personaly my army will be one Plt imperial inf one Plt highlanders,one plt Sikhs and a PLt of ghurkas
A troop of guides cavalry and one field piece…..Mikey

Indeed, you can use the same figures as would be used in the Sudan. Khaki is the uniform color and the tunics are now proper jackets with breast pockets. Puttees were in use. This makes Zulu War British figures unsuitable for NWF (one can't simply paint the tunics and helmets khaki, they ar fundamentally different). Fortunately, there are suitable figures availble.

Ray – OK – avoid Zulu war, look for Sudan – just this little tidbit is a huge help.

whoa Mohamed – I was thinking something similar – it will make easy to keep the separate, I will playing with my sons so very visually distinct troops would be a plus

Thanks guys

Keep it coming

There's no single easy to remember cut-off date when the colour changed. Some troops were in khaki at least as early as the Indian Mutiny. There were actions in some conflicts, such as the Transvaal War, where there were British troops from different units in scarlet and khaki on the same battlefield.

India went khaki first, and it spread to other theatres, generally speaking.

In expeditions on the NWF in the 1860s it seems scarlet was still being worn, but by the time of the 2nd Afghan War in 1879 khaki was the norm. Apparently the scarlet frocks were worn as underclothes to keep warm in the winter, and there are some sketches of troops in red during that war. So you could include the odd character so-dressed to break the monotony if you wanted. Or perhaps risk a whole unit.

Still talking about the 2nd Afghan War, it seems some units had khaki tops, but with the dark blue trousers and khaki puttees. That is a good look, again, if you tire of endless khaki. One of the Osprey colour plates for the book on this period shows a chap in scarlet, with blue trousers and no puttees (no gaiters either, just his trousers rolled up), too.

But on the whole, it's khaki all the way for that war, and thereafter in that region.

The Ospreys on teh British Army on Campaign ar4e pretty good on thsi stuff.

Essentially there isn't a simple answer, particularly when units were shipped for mone theatre to another. For the NWF however khaki was certainly predominant rather earlier than in Africa, however you can also go for the khaki jacket/blue trousers combo along with khaki jackets and kilts.

As mentioned above, use Sudan figs for NWF.

As I recall, the expedition to Abbysinia was the last time the British army fought in red; the transition from red to khaki took place in the 1880's, and as Martin notes there was not a standard date by which time your regiment had to be in khaki "or else". Standard 19th century military practice was to replace uniforms with new issue when they wore out, hence the persistence of bicorns in Napolean's Grande Army, the US 2nd Cavalry wearing orange facings until 1863, etc

Good news is, it means you have reasonably free rein

The Abyssinian expedition was not the last time the British army fought in red. It was in the 1860s, well before the Zulu War. And, funnily enough, most of the British troops weren't in red at all on that one, but in a weird light grey variant of khaki.

The last time the British Army wore red in action is usually cited as the battle of Ginnis in 1885 against the Mahdists.

But I think I've read of it being worn on campaign later, just not actually in a battle, and even seem to recall something about one maxim battery wearing full dress uniforms in action in the 1890s campaigns against the Mahdists. But that last one may be bunkum.

Churchill mentions the Royal Irish maxim battery in scarlet in the Sudan in the 1890s-with khaki trousers & puttees.

I have seen pictures of RMLI in Red during the Boxer episode, in 1900

I thought I was starting to get a handle on this and then I found the following statement on the Perry Miniatures website regarding one of their British infantry packs for the Sudan:

"Infantry standing firing, Indian service dress

The Indian service dress Infantry have rolled greatcoats,puttees and covered helmets which ( apart from the water bottle) makes them suitable for campaigning in the North West Frontier too."

It certainly implies that the bulk of their Sudan figs aren't a perfect fit for the NWF. I obviously need to get some books. The relevant Osprey British Army on Campaign, volume 3 I believe, appears to be out of print, but I am not sure. I see Osprey has a book on the NWF I may order.

A couple of quick figure questions, does anyone know if the following figs are OK for the NWF:

1) Old glory (25mm) has British (not Indian) figs listed under Boer and Zulu war, are the Boer war Brits appropriate for NWF, logic would suggest they must have Brit figs that are appropriate.

2) Great Endeavours/Ral Partha – WHat do people use from this range for khaki clad Brits (again not Indian or Ghurka troops)?

3) Stone Mountain 15mm – does anyone know if these guys are appropriate for NWF?

Thanks for all the help, this is really a bit more complex than I anticipated.

Rich

"this is really a bit more complex "

Well, as with all these things it depends how fussy you are.

I've got a ton of Two Dragons 15mm (many with the wierd padded neck protector things) Sudan figs – they are khaki with white/buff equipment and khaki helmet covers, but I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation using them for NWF games.

In 28s I used Foundry Boer War figs as NWF types.

The Osprey on the NWF isn't bad but goes right up until 1919. It does have some detail on the equipment pattern differences – mainly Slade Wallace vs Valise pattern gear IIRC.

Don't get too hung up on details that aren't apparent at 25/28mm or 15mm sizes. It's Puttees and breast pockets, helmet covers and neck cloths will be the most obvious.

Simply put, you are safe if you stick to khaki for the Sudan and North West Frontier. Absolutely no one will question you. However, if you paint your little men in red with high boots instead of puttees, you are sure to raise a few eyebrows, even though you may have some obscure historical justification for doing so.

Were I you, I would buy a lot of Vallejo browns and tans (their khaki is British WWII "khaki" which is very greenish) and figures with pockets and puttees and start painting.

BTW, I've done a lot of Zulu War figures in the past for TSATF and PoW. I've since sold them all. If I were to get back into TSATF (and it's very, very tempting) I would go with the NWF too. If for no other reason than to be able to field Bengal Lancers in khaki and Indian mountain guns. Not to mention the cool terrain opportunities and endless mountain pass ambush scenarios that can be cooked up. Besides, if you ever get tired of that, then you can move your troops to the Sudan to battle the Mad Mahdi! Then off off to India to fight roving bands of Thugee!