"Uniform sources for Royal Navy uniforms - 1850 - 1870??" Topic

Does anyone know of sources and illustrations for the above topic?

I am thinking of having some boarding party / landing party figures sculpted. There are odds and ends – some repro illustrations and some wiki articles – but nothing comprehensive and accessible, like an Osprey.

I did find stuff on firearms and cutlasses with nice photos of antique weapons. But articles on distribution of revolvers to boarding parties would be absolutely amazing!!

And similar articles on the other naval powers would be nice as well. The USN information appears a little more available, probably because of the ACW market.

Not comprehensive or an Osprey, but the best I can manage – "British Naval Dress" by Dudley Jarrett (1960) link should give you a start. It is a basic uniform book, 1830 to 1900 is covered in about 40 pages, it doesn't give the detail you want on revolvers or boarding parties.

There is a fair amount of published information on the Naval Brigades during the Indian Mutiny. As I understand it, uniforms for ratings were not established until 1857.

There is a fair amount of published information on the Naval Brigades during the Indian Mutiny. As I understand it, uniforms for ratings were not established until 1857.

It seems that the Admiralty directive in 1857 formalized what sailors were wearing already and prevented deviations.

One of the odd things is how similar British, US and French naval uniforms were during the period. Almost interchangeable.

Not comprehensive or an Osprey, but the best I can manage – "British Naval Dress" by Dudley Jarrett (1960) link should give you a start. It is a basic uniform book, 1830 to 1900 is covered in about 40 pages, it doesn't give the detail you want on revolvers or boarding parties.

Thanks, but for the short coverage, it's not worth ordering a hardcover book.