Uniform and Equipment of the 21^st RNB Fuzileers

 

      Presentation is everything in this hobby.  Our goal is to look proper based on the research we have done or received.   Many items are made by or from patterns provided by our quartermaster.  These Regimental items are acquired from the Regiment, and must be sold back upon leaving.  The following are items we deem necessary to present the Regiment properly.  Many items are available for loan initially.

           

Jacket - Cherry-red wool, cut-away style coatee, of the pattern the Regiment has on file.  The coat is single breasted with 10 small buttons and 10 double bars of lace on the front of the coat.  Stand-up collar and cuffs of dark blue also laced.  4 large buttons on each cuff and pocket flap and 2 on back pleats.  Lining is white, with white wool turnbacks.

 

Trousers - White linen or canvas overalls with front drop fly.  With pockets. Seam slit on outside seam at ankle. 

 

Shirt - Any pattern of late 18th to early 19th century shirt.  May have ruffles at neck cut. 

 

Shoes - Black leather low or high shoes with buckles preferred.  Since covered with gaiters, most any black leather shoe is acceptable.

 

Gaiter - Dark gray wool half-gaiters.  Covers top of shoes and is slid up inside trouser leg.

 

Hats - We wear the earlier style stovetop shako.  Cap is 9 inches tall, of felted wool with small brim, brass plate, and regimental device holding white plume.  The fatigue cap is of red wool with a blue band and white ball on top.

 

Cap cover - This is a cover for the cap, made from black linen waterproofed.  It fits over the cap and has flaps turned up and ties, which could be let down when worn to keep ears warm and dry. 

 

Musket - Third model Brown Bess Musket, known as India pattern.  Any Brown Bess musket will be acceptable (prefer not the long First models, though).  With Bayonet

 

Leather - Bayonet hanger belt of white leather, rough side out.  Regimental brass plate from our Quartermaster.  Cartridge box of 1809 pattern, black with white strap.  Preferred with tin boxes instead of blocks.  

 

Haversack - Linen of yellow-tan colour.  Intended to hold food issuance, but may also hold tin plate, pocket knife, spoon and fork.  Inside pocket to hold pay book.

 

Canteen - Wood round to hold about a quart, made of white oak.  Painted light (artillery) blue and marked in white with regiment name and number, as well as soldier's number. 

 

Neck stock - Of thin black leather, Regimental clasps issued from Quartermaster.

 

OTHER ITEMS NICE TO HAVE

 

Backpack - Black painted canvas of 1804 (Trotter) design (rounded boards inserted) with white leather straps.  Gray blanket or greatcoat buckled to top.  Mess tin attached to blanket with white leather strap

 

D Mess tin - Cooking pot for individual use, and carrying issued food.

 

Fatigue jacket - Same design as coat with no tails, made of white wool with blue trims, and 10 small buttons down front.

 

Gray trousers - Same pattern as white linen ones, except for winter wear (to be used at New Orleans or any Napoleonic event).

 

Braces - period suspenders, these are of leather and button 2 in back and 1 on top waist button

 

Belgic Cap - Black felt cap, shorter than stovepipe, but has taller front.  Cap plate is smaller than earlier style.  Has cord decoration, plume on side.  Made by our quartermaster. 

 

Extra clothing - Soldiers would have been issued 2 extra shirts, 2 extra socks, an extra pair of shoes, with extra soles, brushes, cleaning supplies, and personal grooming necessities.  These would be carried in the backpack.

 

Tent - The soldiers on the continent were issued a round tent (9 ft high x 12 ft diameter) for each platoon, with 4 wedge tents for NCOs and drummers.  No documentation exists that the 21st had tents in America; they were always on the move.  We do use both types of tents in our camps.

 

Camp equipage - Remember, this was a Regiment on the move.  We do not carry much in camp equipage; rather sit on stumps, hay, or the ground.  Fires do not need cooking irons; they are too heavy to carry.  We may make a tripod in the field, or build the fire between 2 blocks or stones.  We understand the (modern) need for a cooler, but that should be disguised or stored in a tent.