"Mexican War Questions--Your Expert Advice, Please!" Topic

Dear All,

As work progresses on two projects, the rules, "Gone To See The Elephant," and the re-publication of the expanded and updated masterwork, Hefter's "The Mexican Soldier," I have some questions I've not yet been able to find answers for.

1) In Hefter's classic work, he describes uniform regulations (and their myriad changes) throughout the period from Mexican Independence to the end of the War of '46-'48. A common phrase he uses (in the English version) is "Opposite colors" when describing piping on uniforms. For example, "…The 11th Infantry was changed to white with sky blue lapels, collar and cuffs, deep red cuff bars, PIPING IN OPPOSITE COLORS, and sky blue pants…."

"Opposite" to what?

This phrase is repeated in book after book (all derived from Hefter--frequently verbatim) without explanation, leading to wonder if anyone understands what he meant!

I know this is NOT a reference to "Reversed Colors" as was practiced by Bandsmen in so many other armies.

Anyone know what "opposite colors" means in this context?

2) Does anyone have a source which indicates specifically, by name, which Mexican Infantry unit's Light Companies were armed with Rifles, and those with "Short Muskets?"

3) Can anyone please direct me to a Public Domain source (likely on the Internet) that would have good illustrations (photos, drawings) of Mexican Firearms as used in the era of the 1830's through the end of the war? Specifically, I need an East India Land Pattern musket, Baker Rifle, Escopeta, and representative flintlock and percussion pistols. A variety of British Cavalry carbines were also in use. Ideally, these illos should be of pieces definitely associated with the Mexican War (not later), but is not crucial.

There are more odds and ends, but let's see how the cognoscenti can help crack these first!

TVAG

As to question #1, the piping would be in the color of the coat, so the piping on the sky blue lapels, collar, cuffs, and cuff bars would be white.

The other two questions I'm befuddled on, but I know someone will be coming to the rescue!

I'm looking at uniform charts in an old Tradition mag (#64) that are taken, i believe from Heftner's book.

There are two colors used for all facings.. collars,cuffs, cuff flaps,turnbacks,and lapels. the primary color is the named color, the opposite would be used for the piping.

for example the 2od regiment has skyblue collars, and lapels,turnbacks,cuffs and cuff flaps are red.

so collars would be piped in red,,and lapels,cuffs and cuff flaps(if they were piped) would be piped sky blue.

anvil

lol,, and we already have two interpetations of opposite,,:)

here are some sites that i use for info on weapons,, hope they help.

link

musketandrifle.nu/start.htm

therifleshoppe.com

and one more site for muskets

dixiegunworks.com

I have an old booklet that Freikorps 15 produced about the Mexican War, and I believe they had a table that showed which units wore what color facings, piping, etc. Once I find it I'll get back to this post.

Knotel, Knotel & Sieg have the grenadiers of the guard in "red coats with light-blue collar, cuffs and skirt turnbacks, white lapels with eight yellow-laced buttonholes, yellow shoulder straps, white piping." Curiously it doesn't mention the buttons, but the buttons on the grenadier in the Osprey book look yellow/gold in the dim light of my computer room. The mention of yellow-laced buttonholes in conjunction with the brass buttons makes me wonder if the the piping and buttons would be opposite colors, one white/silver, and the other yellow/gold.

Not a certain solution, but never let it be said that I'm not happy to add to the confusion.

Grelber

Saginaw,,

I have the same old pub from Freicorps 15,,and the charts there are the same ones as in the Tradition that i mentioned. But he calls it "reverse" instead of opposite :) however there is a note at the bottom,,,

Note – " 'reverse colors' implies that the collar is piped with the color of the lapels, and the lapels with the color of the collar etc."

thats prolly where i got my thoughts on this long ago..

all credit and thanks to Cameron Robinson.. :)

anvil

anvil

Dear Anvil,

If you get to see this, please accept my thanks for all your help. The links did finally get me the illos I needed.

I still hope to have the new edition up for Subscription in March for a April delivery.

TVAG

glad I could help,, its a great period,,and looking forward to the reprint of Hefner's book…
the closest I have ever come to it was Pass of the North miniatures long ago gave me his addy in Mexico City. I wrote him and never received a reply.