doctorphalanx | 08 Nov 2015 12:55 a.m. PST |
We certainly have an image of eighteenth century uniforms paralleling the high standards of upper class civilian dress, but what was the reality? Are there any historical references to uniforms on campaign during this period? |
MajorB | 08 Nov 2015 2:39 a.m. PST |
Depends on the length of time since the issue of the uniform. There is plenty of evidence for uniforms literally wearing out while on campaign even in the napoleonic period. |
gunnerphil | 08 Nov 2015 11:01 a.m. PST |
Marching across Europe on unmetaled roads in what ever weather. Sleeping in clothes for days on end. Using black powder. Poor quality dyes. These are all things that would not help keep uniform pristine. Maybe the commanders in coaches with servant would be cleaner, but certainly not rank and file. Since standards were lower then maybe no references as writers thought it was the norm. |
Green Tiger | 08 Nov 2015 12:00 p.m. PST |
The campaign season was generally quite short and mostly in the summer though… |
Garde de Paris | 08 Nov 2015 1:18 p.m. PST |
I recall that the small force Frederick could muster to face the French and Reish Executions Armee at Rossbach received their annual new uniforms on the way to the battle. Should look like "toy soldiers fresh out of the box!" GdeP |
Ragbones | 08 Nov 2015 3:35 p.m. PST |
For whatever odd little reason I prefer SYW figures/units/armies in clean uniforms but have no qualms about my Napoleonics being in dirty campaign kit. It may have something to do with growing up admiring those beautiful figures in the rule set, ''Charge," by Brig. Gen. Young and Lt. Col. Lawford. |
Frederick | 08 Nov 2015 6:08 p.m. PST |
I am with Ragbones on this – my SYW armies are all pretty and my Napoleonic and ACW armies have greatcoats, campaign gear, etc. My thought is that SYW armies were a lot smaller and also tended not to march too far past their depots – in contrast to Napoleonic armies who would try to live off the land |
gunnerphil | 09 Nov 2015 1:19 p.m. PST |
For toys certainly paint as nice and neat. But the question seems based on real life. Campaign season may have been short and in summer, it does rain in the summer. Even if managed to find a couple of months with good weather (good luck with that) marching in heat would make uniform sweaty and mucky. The heat would dry out earth and raise clouds of dust. How many days can you sleep outside in clothes, and walk about carrying heavy weight, and still look smart. How many hikers look smart? And are not marching in large groups. |
Musketier | 11 Nov 2015 12:08 p.m. PST |
"a variety of conditions" – nope, that's the Napoleonic picture, make do and mend with an occasional consignment of new (or used) items. As GdeP mentioned above, the men would receive a new outfit every year, or every two years, with cost deducted from their pay. In wartime this may not always have been possible, but then, nobody in the unit would have gotten anything. |
Der Alte Fritz | 01 Dec 2015 9:47 a.m. PST |
I have painted AWI regiments of foot in worn out and faded uniforms with knee and elbow patches painted on. I probably would not want to do the same for SYW forces though. It probably helps if one has a large variety of poses in the "campaign" regiment which creates a sense of individuality versus a more regimented, standard look to a pristine uniform in a parade march pose. |