"The move from floppies to tricornes" Topic

I've just got a Louis XIV army with a mix of floppy hats and tricornes. I understand that the move from one t'other wouldn't have been overnight but approx when was it? What period is it realistic to field both types in the same army?

late 17th / early 18th century

The transition took place mostly in the 1690s, but it would not be out of place to still see floppy hats in the first 5 to 10 years of the 1700s.

It was also due to the changes from matchlock to flintlock and the drill used. The floppy hat would get in the way. Also notice the off-centre position adopted by the Prussians in the 1740s.
Stephen

The hat was cocked because it got in the way.
I would not mix the types in the same regiment, because that fashion would come under "as the Colonel shall decide".

And with rain, a tricorn becomes a floppy hat (an informal tricorn)

"It was also due to the changes from matchlock to flintlock and the drill used. The floppy hat would get in the way."

"The hat was cocked because it got in the way."

Really? Was there that much of a chnage in the drill? Do we have any primary source corroboration that this is the reason for the change?

I've always had doubts that the reason for turning up the brim was a military one. There are illustrations that show it as a civillian fashion at roughly the same time and the smaller tricorne that appeared later is almost certainly of civillian origin.

For me it's always been how early can I field troops in tricorns?

As a reenactor I've done gun drill in both floopy hat with a matchlock and a tricorn with a flintlock. I didn't find that hat got in the way during the drill. In inclement weather or sun for that matter I'd sooner have the floppy hat.

I've always assumed the change was a matter of fashion rather than military necessity.

I accord with maschrewba.

It's not just a hassle but a financial burden to have to purchase two sets of figures with virtually identical uniforms so that one can refight the 1688-1695 period and the wars of Malborough.

I asked the same question sometime ago, and just assumed that as soon as January 1st. 1700, everyone went to tricorns, as that is the garment of such which seems to define the 18th. century.

ilodic.

I painted up a Later Danish army for DBR a couple of years back. It was nominally for the late 1690s and I chose all in floppy hats. The intention was that I could use it for the early GNW or WSS, as if it was in one of the later wars, well they were on campaign and the tricornes were now floppies!

This justification works for me and (if I ever did use it for the 1700s) I don't think anyone could refute the logic…

What Justin said. Last thing you want is to have painted troops that you can't morph into another period….