"ECW Dragoons --- Uniform colors" Topic

I am trying to find references to ECW Dragoon units with their respective uniform colors and I must admit defeat...Is there such information available at all? I have only found info on Okey's dragoons, but I am mostly interested in Royalists..

Many thanks!

Ioannis

I have no idea about later on in the war, but my edgehill by Osprey lists no uniform descriptions for the royalists. Other sources i have are fairly sketchy on the royals period. Did you try the sealed knot society?

Yes, only Okey's dragoons (sky blue first, then Venice red)...and these are rebels! It appears that Royalists did not issue uniforms to any of thei units at Edgehill as they expected a quick victory (!) But, what about later on? I prefer uniformed units as they are easier to identify on the table...

Ioannis

Ecw dragoons were a homogenous bunch. Identified by their broad rimmed hat and buff coats, both sides fielded similarly dressed units. Usually it was only a coloured sash or even a battlefield identification (such as a sprig of oak leaves in your hat) that determined whose side you on.

I understand later units were issued the same sorts of kit as the regular infantry; coats in grey, red or blue were common.

I've done one unit in red with fawn facings suitable for my NMA, one unit in grey (because it's a colour I don't have a regiment in) and various miscellaneous figures in buff coats so they can go with either lot depending on the game.

I suspect you wouldn't be wrong to do "wearing their own coats" as another option.

[I suspect you wouldn't be wrong to do "wearing their own coats" as another option.]

That's exactly the option I took. After running into a similar problem with research on this issue, I just started mixing the color scheme of my ECW dragoons. In fact, my research lead me to believe (perhaps erroneously) that many foot regiments should be mixed colors as well. One year blue coats would be issued; the next grey, etc.... Mix 'em up!

Save yourself some grief and collect Scots. All you need is a can of grey paint.

PS your grief will come later on the battlefield ;-)

you could get away with Rupert's dragoons in blue

Many thanks for your input! Indeed, this is an obscure are of military history (fashion)...I guess, one could not go wrong following the basic colors, as you suggest, for a uniformed troop!

I decided to go with a muddy red for the coats and it looks good! I am still undecided between yellow/ochre and white for the breeches and facings...This will have to wait for tomorrow. Boots and hats will be fawn brown and all other leatherwork buff.

reddrabs, I didn't know Rupert had a dragoon regiment! I found out that Maurice had dragoons (red coated!)

Thanks again!

Ioannis

Check out Caliver Books, they are THE booksellers/publishers for the info you need. The Osprey Elite titles are also good, I think Dragoons are in the Cavalry one.

Okeys were actually clothed in a 'Tawny' colour at Naseby, I also read that Henry Washington's Royalists were in blue.

Dragoons did not have buff coats and only the officers would have had a sash. The rank and file would have had a field sign, a piece of cloth or paper tied to the arm or stuck in a hat band were common. As for coat colours, if you are raising a Royalist Oxford army for 1643 - 45 then red or blue suits are quite acceptable as these were the colours issued by the King to his foot troops.

Phil

Thanks Phil, I will look at the books...I am glad my decision to go for red coats is in line with this groups suggestions! Thanks to all!

Ioannis

I'm a bit far from my books but (and I could be wrong) didn't Washington's become Rupert's?????

One area i have "utilised" is that some provincial regiments of horse had a dragoon troop.

on further thinking, they didn't as I'm sure they were at Marston Moor.... oh to get to my library!

muddy red seems good as red was an accepted martial colour.

let's discuss manchester's bluecoats - now there's a problem!!

Muddy blue? That would be tough!