"Shoulder straps, how common, what color?" Topic

So in a previous post I asked a question but used the wrong terminology.

Regarding shoulder straps on the LEFT shoulder, for keeping the cartridge pouch belt in place.

I noticed that none of the metal Foundry and metal Perry infantry I have has shoulder straps. Not one. All the left shoulders are bare. OR the sculpts are meant to represent that the soldiers put their cartridge pouch belt over it and didn't bother using it, so it's covered up.

However, both boxes of Perry plastics DO have the shoulder straps.

I am confused by the inconsistency, why would Perry put them on every single soldier in their plastics but put none on their metals?

So were shoulder straps typical and common on coats? Moreso for the British? Was it a regulation that mandated it be used, or was it optional?

This is what I'm talking about in case there's confusion. They're red here but I've seen them done in the facing colors as well…which regiments had red ones and which ones had facing color ones?

American uniforms of the AWI are complicated. I am not sure anyone knows how common shoulder straps were, and I am sure it could vary by region and year.

When the Continental government got around to making uniform regulations, I do not believe shoulder straps were mentioned at all. The colonel still had say in the uniform and coats could be tailored with or without shoulder straps. The tailors making coats on contract could also have their own interpretation. Cloth was in short supply and shoulder straps could have been considered a waste of resources.
Civilian coats wouldn't have had shoulder straps. Captured British coats would be dyed and probably would have shoulder straps. Shoulder straps would be the same color as the coat. I don't believe shoulder straps were mandated by regulation until around 1791.

The British regimental commanders also had some say in the uniforms of their regiment. I believe the 1768 warrant required shoulder straps, but I am happy to be corrected. The shoulder strap would be the same color as the coat. The shoulder straps of flank companies would be piped white.

As a general rule, I think it is safe to say that the shoulder straps of the German regiments was the same color as their respective facing colors.

That's my limited know on the subject. I am happy to be corrected by those who know more about the subject than I do.

Very helpful 79th – thanks!